Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) has laid 24 charges against United Energy for allowing trees to grow too close to powerlines in high bushfire risk areas across Melbourne’s southeast and the Mornington Peninsula.

ESV chairperson and commissioner Marnie Williams says that the community did not tolerate electricity companies and councils that do not fulfil their line clearance obligations to keep the community safe.

“Major electricity companies should be on notice that ESV will take enforcement action, which may include prosecution, to ensure safety,” Marnie says.

Contact between trees and powerlines can result in fires, electric shock and power outages, which can lead to property damage and, in serious cases, injury and death.

Between August 2021 and June 2022, ESV compliance officers inspected spans (stretches of powerline between power poles) in United Energy-managed areas.

ESV identified major non-compliances on 24 spans in high bushfire risk areas posing a severe risk of fire to surrounding communities.

A major non-compliance is identified when vegetation is touching, or could soon touch, uninsulated powerlines. A significant number of other less serious non-compliances were also identified. ESV issued written notices to United Energy requiring them to make all these spans safe.

“In light of these issues, ESV expects United Energy to make changes to its existing line clearance management systems, ensuring it meets obligations to keeping the community safe,” Marnie concludes.