26Control of vegetation

26 Control of vegetation

(1)  A Rail Infrastructure Manager is to –

(a) prepare a vegetation management plan for the rail network or, if it is a restricted Rail Infrastructure Manager, its part of the rail network; and

(b) periodically review and revise that plan; and

(c) implement that plan.

(2)  In preparing or reviewing and revising its vegetation management plan, a Rail Infrastructure Manager is to have regard to the following:

(a) the overall safety and operational requirements of the rail network;

(b) the need to prevent vegetation from becoming established in, encroaching on or overhanging the rail network;

(c) the need for train drivers and road users to have good lines of sight in and around the rail network, particularly near railway crossings;

(d) the need to prevent weeds from spreading onto adjoining land from the rail network;

(e) the need to eliminate or minimise fire hazards in and around the rail network;

(f) the need for a regular, effective and sustainable vegetation inspection and monitoring regime;

(g) [Section 26 Subsection (2) amended by No. 18 of 2020, Sched. 5, Applied:17 May 2023] plans, standards, orders, declarations or other things that from time to time may be in force under the Rail Safety Act 1997 , Biosecurity Act 2019 , Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 or prescribed Acts;

(h) the vegetation management provisions, if any, of relevant council planning schemes;

(i) prescribed requirements, if any;

(j) any directions that it is given by the Minister.

(3)  In preparing and revising its vegetation management plan, a Rail Infrastructure Manager is to carry out such consultations as it considers necessary or expedient.