Managing vegetation near powerlines
In July, SA Power Networks (SAPN) sought feedback from stakeholders, including local government, on its updated Protocol for Vegetation Management near Powerlines 2024-2027 to help improve engagement opportunities and meet the organisation’s communications objectives.
The protocol was originally developed and endorsed in 2016 by the LGA Board of Directors and is intended to provide a guide for working with key stakeholders to improve vegetation management outcomes.
Our recommendations
As part of the recent review of the protocol, LGA has lodged a submission with SAPN outlining our position on managing vegetation near powerlines and listing several recommendations for consideration.
We recommend:
- Change the protocol’s emphasis on defaulting to tree removal in favour of more appropriate tree management and maintenance.
- Increase collaboration with both SAPN and the Office of the Technical Regulator to review and expand the list of allowed and permitted species near powerlines to achieve an increase in, and greater diversity of, the urban tree canopy.
- Deliver practical solutions to infrastructure conflicts and maintenance related to the intersection of overhead powerlines and tree canopies. This could include undergrounding of powerlines and low voltage aerial bundling cabling where suitable.
- Collaborate with local government and provide more clarity and transparency on SAPN’s approach to powerline vegetation management. This would help navigate complex policy challenges for councils.
Local government is an important partner in supporting vegetation around powerlines, ensuring the right tree for the right place while preserving, increasing and diversifying the urban tree canopy.
Find out more
For further information about LGA’s submission, please contact LGA Senior Policy Officer Sarah Wozniak.
For media enquiries, please contact the LGA media team.