617Protected aerial line—pruning, cutting and felling vegetation

617 Protected aerial line—pruning, cutting and felling vegetation

(1) A person (other than a qualified person) must not prune, cut or fell the whole or any part of a tree if the tree or any part of the tree that is pruned, cut or felled may fall closer to a protected aerial line than—

(a) in the case of a protected aerial line operating at low voltage, 2 metres in all directions; or

(b) in the case of protected aerial line operating at a voltage set out in Row A of Table 617, the relevant minimum distance specified in Row B of that Table that corresponds to that voltage.

In section 3 of the Act, the definition of tree includes vegetation.

(2) Subregulation (1) does not apply to an insulated protected aerial line operating at low voltage if the tree or any part of the tree that is pruned, cut or felled—

(a) falls within 2 metres of the protected aerial line; and

(b) does not make contact with the protected aerial line.

(3) A qualified person must, before pruning, cutting or felling the whole or any part of a tree to which subregulation (1) applies, notify the owner of the protected aerial line.

(4) In this regulation, qualified person means a person who holds a current certificate that is approved by Energy Safe Victoria specifying satisfactory completion of a training course in tree clearing.

Table 617—Minimum distances from high voltage and direct current protected aerial lines—falling trees or parts of trees

• Column 1 Column 2 Column 3
• Row A Nominal voltage("U") U ≤ 66 kV alternating current or U ≤1500V direct current U > 66 kV alternating current or U > 1500V direct current
• Row B Minimum distance in all directions 2000 mm 6000 mm