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Australian Capital Territory
Utility Networks (Public Safety)
Regulation 2001
SL2001-28
made under the
Utilities Act 2000
Republication No 6
Effective: 1 January 2024
Republication date: 1 January 2024
Last amendment made by A2023-52
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About this republication
The republished law
This is a republication of the Utility Networks (Public Safety) Regulation 2001, made under the
Utilities Act 2000 (including any amendment made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3
(Editorial changes)) as in force on 1 January 2024. It also includes any commencement,
amendment, repeal or expiry affecting this republished law to 1 January 2024.
The legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3
and 4.
Kinds of republications
The Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT
legislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au):
• authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies
• unauthorised republications.
The status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.
Editorial changes
The Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial
amendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication.
Editorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by
an Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117). The
changes are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into
line, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.
This republication does not include amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).
Uncommenced provisions and amendments
If a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol U appears immediately
before the provision heading. Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law
are accessible on the ACT legislation register (www.legislation.act.gov.au). For more
information, see the home page for this law on the register.
Modifications
If a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the
symbol M appears immediately before the provision heading. The text of the modifying
provision appears in the endnotes. For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation
Act 2001, section 95.
Penalties
At the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $160 for an
individual and $810 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133).
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contents 1
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Australian Capital Territory
Utility Networks (Public Safety)
Regulation 2001
made under the
Utilities Act 2000
Contents
Page
Part 1 Preliminary
1 Name of regulation 2
3 Dictionary 2
4 Notes 2
Part 2 General
5 Application 3
6 Authorisation by utility 3
7 Evidence of authorisation 3
8 Excavations—steps required to protect underground network facilities 4
Contents
Page
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9 Interfering with network telemetry 4
10 Interfering with network facility signs 5
11 Entering secured areas 5
Part 3 Electricity network facilities
12 Throwing objects at facilities 6
13 Entangled objects 6
14 Explosives and fires 6
15 Underground electricity network facilities 7
16 Excavating 7
17 Changing ground level 8
18 Clearances from aerial lines—people 8
19 Clearances from aerial lines—structures 9
20 Clearances from aerial conductors—flammable materials 11
21 Clearances from aerial lines—nonflammable materials 12
22 Clearances from aerial lines—aircraft 13
23 Clearances from aerial lines—vehicles 14
24 Clearances from aerial lines—mobile plant, vessels 14
25 Clearances from aerial lines—vegetation 15
26 Measuring clearances from aerial lines 16
27 Placing of materials near substations or switchyards 16
28 Attachments, or climbing, on electricity network facility 17
Part 4 Water and sewerage network facilities
29 Throwing objects at facilities 18
30 Driving etc over underground water or sewerage network facilities 18
31 Underground water or sewerage network facilities 18
32 Excavating 19
33 Changing ground level 19
34 Climbing on water or sewerage network facilities 19
35 Entry to water or sewerage network facilities 19
36 Work on water or sewerage network facilities etc 20
Part 5 Gas network facilities
37 Throwing objects at facilities 21
Contents
Page
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38 Driving etc over underground gas network facilities 21
39 Underground gas network facilities 21
40 Excavating 22
41 Changing ground level 22
42 Climbing on gas facilities 22
43 Work on gas network facilities etc 22
Dictionary
Endnotes
1 About the endnotes 26
2 Abbreviation key 26
3 Legislation history 27
4 Amendment history 28
5 Earlier republications 29
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Australian Capital Territory
Utility Networks (Public Safety)
Regulation 2001
made under the
Utilities Act 2000
Part 1 Preliminary
Section 1
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Part 1 Preliminary
1 Name of regulation
This regulation is the Utility Networks (Public Safety) Regulation
2001.
3 Dictionary
The dictionary at the end of this regulation is part of this regulation.
Note 1 The dictionary at the end of this regulation defines certain terms used in
this regulation.
Note 2 A definition in the dictionary applies to the entire regulation unless the
definition, or another provision of the regulation, provides otherwise or
the contrary intention otherwise appears (see Legislation Act, s 155 and s
156 (1)).
4 Notes
A note included in this regulation is explanatory and is not part of this
regulation.
Note See the Legislation Act, s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of notes.
General Part 2
Section 5
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Part 2 General
5 Application
(1) This regulation does not apply to a thing done by a person in relation
to a network facility in accordance with the written authorisation of
the responsible utility.
(2) This regulation does not apply to a thing done by a person in relation
to a network facility in the course of the person’s employment or
engagement by the responsible utility.
6 Authorisation by utility
(1) An application for authorisation mentioned in section 5 may be made
to the responsible utility—
(a) orally or in writing; or
(b) if acceptable to the utility—by telephone, fax or other electronic
means.
(2) An authorisation is subject to any condition stated in the
authorisation.
7 Evidence of authorisation
In a proceeding for an offence against this regulation, a certificate that
appears to be signed by or on behalf of a utility and contains a
statement to the effect that—
(a) a stated thing was done by a stated person in accordance with an
authorisation by the utility under section 6; or
(b) an authorisation by the utility under section 6 was subject to a
stated condition at a stated time or date;
is evidence of the matters stated.
Part 2 General
Section 8
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8 Excavations—steps required to protect underground
network facilities
(1) This section applies to an opening in the ground, or a ground cover,
that uncovers or exposes an underground network facility, or might
reasonably be expected to have that effect.
(2) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, make such an opening
in the ground or ground cover unless the person has taken reasonable
steps to—
(a) find out whether an underground network facility is likely to be
affected; and
(b) avoid damaging the facility or endangering its safe or efficient
operation.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
(3) Without limiting subsection (2), a person takes reasonable steps for
the purpose of that subsection if the person—
(a) contacts the responsible utility and requests advice about the
matters mentioned in subsection (2) (a) and (b); and
(b) acts in accordance with the written advice of the utility about
those matters.
9 Interfering with network telemetry
(1) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, interfere with—
(a) telemetry used in connection with the operation of a network
facility; or
(b) equipment used, or for use, for such telemetry;
if the interference is likely to interrupt or endanger the safe or efficient
operation of the facility.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
General Part 2
Section 10
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(2) In this section:
interference includes interference attributable directly or indirectly to
the emission of electromagnetic energy from a device.
10 Interfering with network facility signs
A person must not, without reasonable excuse, interfere with, change
or remove—
(a) a sign displayed or maintained by or on behalf of a utility at or
on a network facility; or
(b) a seal, lock, chain or any other device used in connection with
securing any part of a network facility;
if the action is likely to endanger people or property.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
11 Entering secured areas
(1) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, enter a secured area
maintained by or on behalf of a utility in connection with the
provision of a utility service.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
(2) In this section:
secured area means a network facility, and any land or water
surrounding the facility, that is enclosed for the purpose of preventing
unauthorised access.
Part 3 Electricity network facilities
Section 12
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Part 3 Electricity network facilities
12 Throwing objects at facilities
A person must not, without reasonable excuse, throw or otherwise
project an object—
(a) with intent to strike an electricity network facility; or
(b) if the object is likely to strike an electricity network facility;
if the striking is likely to endanger any person or property or interrupt
or endanger the safe or efficient operation of the facility.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
13 Entangled objects
A person must not, without reasonable excuse, touch or interfere with
any object resting on, or entangled in, an electricity network facility
if the touching or interference is likely to endanger any person or
property or interrupt or endanger the safe or efficient operation of the
facility.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
14 Explosives and fires
A person must not, without reasonable excuse—
(a) light, use or maintain a fire, or detonate an explosive, in a way
that is likely to damage an electricity network facility or
interrupt or endanger its safe or efficient operation; or
(b) do a thing that creates an explosive atmosphere that is likely to
endanger the safe or efficient operation of an electricity network
facility.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
Electricity network facilities Part 3
Section 15
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15 Underground electricity network facilities
A person must not, without reasonable excuse, place or keep, above
or adjacent to an underground electricity network facility, any
corrosive, abrasive, heavy or harmful material or substance that is
likely to damage the facility or endanger its safe or efficient operation.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
16 Excavating
A person must not, without reasonable excuse—
(a) cut away, excavate or remove any earth or material supporting
or covering an electricity network facility in a way that is likely
to damage the facility or endanger its safe or efficient operation;
or
(b) make an excavation—
(i) deeper than 0.9m within 15m of a tower supporting an
aerial line; or
(ii) deeper than 0.3m within 1.5m of such a tower; or
(c) make an excavation deeper than 1.8m within 3m of—
(i) any pole supporting an aerial line; or
(ii) any pole, or stay anchorage, to which is attached a staywire
used for the support of a pole mentioned in subparagraph
(i); or
(iii) deeper than 0.9m within 1.5m of a pole or anchorage
mentioned in subparagraph (i) or (ii); or
(d) make an excavation deeper than 0.3m within 0.6m of any wall,
fence or foundation of a substation that forms part of an
electricity network facility.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
Part 3 Electricity network facilities
Section 17
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17 Changing ground level
A person must not, without reasonable excuse, change the ground
level—
(a) below an aerial line or any point to which the line may swing;
or
(b) above or adjacent to an electricity network facility;
if that is likely to damage the line or facility, endanger its safe or
efficient operation, or impede reasonable access to it for the purposes
of its operation.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
18 Clearances from aerial lines—people
(1) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, be too close to an
aerial line.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to—
(a) the holder of an electricians licence under the Construction
Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004 that authorises work on the
line; or
(b) a person who is—
(i) carrying out work associated with the connection of
premises to the relevant electricity network or varying the
capacity of such a connection; and
(ii) accredited under the relevant technical code for such work.
(3) A person is too close to an aerial line if at any time the person, or any
part of a thing held by or attached to the person, is within the
Electricity network facilities Part 3
Section 19
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minimum distance from any part of the line worked out in accordance
with table 18.
Table 18
column 1 column 2 column 3 column 4 column 5
direction in
which minimum
distance must be
observed
minimum
distance from
insulated aerial
cable or
insulated aerial
service line,
where-
U 1 kV
minimum
distance from
aerial
conductor or
covered aerial
cable, where-
U 1 kV
minimum
distance from
aerial conductor
or aerial cable
where-
1 kV < U 33 kV
minimum distance
from aerial
conductor or aerial
cable where-
33 kV < U 132 kV
Any direction 0.1m 1.5m 2.0m 4.0m
Note Symbols used in table 18 are defined in the dictionary.
19 Clearances from aerial lines—structures
(1) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, erect or maintain any
part of a structure too close to an aerial line.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
(2) A part of a structure is too close to an aerial line if at any time it is
within the minimum distance from any part of the line worked out in
accordance with table 19.
(3) The minimum distance stated in table 19, column 3, item 3 does not
apply to any part of a structure within that distance from the point at
which an insulated aerial service line is attached to the structure by or
for the responsible utility.
Part 3 Electricity network facilities
Section 19
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Table 19
column 1 column 2 column 3 column 4 column 5 column 6
item direction in which
minimum distance
must be observed
minimum
distance from
insulated
aerial cable
or insulated
aerial service
line, where-
U 1 kV
minimum
distance from
aerial
conductor or
covered
aerial cable,
where-
U 1 kV
minimum
distance
from aerial
conductor or
aerial cable,
where-
1 kV < U
33 kV
minimum
distance
from aerial
conductor or
aerial cable,
where-
33 kV < U
132 kV
1 vertically, from any
part of the structure
normally accessible
to people
2.7m 3.7m 4.6m 5.0m
2 vertically, from any
part of the structure
not normally
accessible to people
but on which a
person could stand
1.2m 2.7m 3.7m 4.6m
3 any direction (other
than vertically),
from any part of the
structure not
normally accessible
to people
0.3m 1.5m 2.7m 3.0m
4 any direction (other
than vertically),
from any window,
opening balcony or
other part of the
structure normally
accessible to people
1.5m 2.0m 2.7m 3.0m
5 any direction (other
than vertically),
from any window,
opening balcony or
other part of the
structure not
normally accessible
to people but on
which a person
could stand
1.5m 2.0m 2.7m 3.0m
6 vertically, from any
part of a fully
1.8m 3.7m 4.6m n/a
Electricity network facilities Part 3
Section 20
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column 1 column 2 column 3 column 4 column 5 column 6
item direction in which
minimum distance
must be observed
minimum
distance from
insulated
aerial cable
or insulated
aerial service
line, where-
U 1 kV
minimum
distance from
aerial
conductor or
covered
aerial cable,
where-
U 1 kV
minimum
distance
from aerial
conductor or
aerial cable,
where-
1 kV < U
33 kV
minimum
distance
from aerial
conductor or
aerial cable,
where-
33 kV < U
132 kV
extended clothes
line
7 any direction (other
than vertically),
from any part of a
fully extended
clothes line
1.8m 3.0m 3.0m n/a
8 any direction, from
an outdoor wireless
or television aerial
or any part of a
staywire for the
aerial
1.5m 1.5m 1.5m n/a
9 any direction, from
the outer edge of
the water container
of a swimming pool
or the maximum
water level of the
pool
5.0m; or
3.0m (if the
line is a
neutral
screened
cable)
5.5m 5.5m n/a
Note Symbols used in table 19 are defined in the dictionary.
(4) In this section:
neutral screened cable has the same meaning as in AS/NZS 3000
(Wiring Rules), as in force from time to time.
Note AS/NZS 3000 may be purchased at www.standards.org.au.
20 Clearances from aerial conductors—flammable materials
(1) This section does not apply to a structure to which section 19 applies.
Part 3 Electricity network facilities
Section 21
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(2) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, place or keep timber
or other flammable material vertically below an aerial conductor.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
(3) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, place or keep timber
or other flammable material too close to an aerial conductor.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
(4) Timber or other flammable material is too close to an aerial conductor
if at any time it is within the minimum distance from any part of the
conductor worked out in accordance with table 20.
Table 20
column 1 column 2 column 3 column 4
direction in which
minimum distance
must be observed
minimum distance
from aerial
conductor, where-
U 1 kV
minimum distance
from aerial
conductor, where-
1 kV < U 33 kV
minimum distance
from aerial
conductor, where-
33 kV < U 132 kV
horizontally, from
any point of the
vertical projection
below the aerial
conductor or aerial
cable
3.0m 3.0m 3.0m
Note Symbols used in table 20 are defined in the dictionary.
21 Clearances from aerial lines—nonflammable materials
(1) This section does not apply to a structure to which section 19 applies.
(2) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, place or keep any
nonflammable material too close to an aerial line.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
(3) Nonflammable material is too close to an aerial line if, at any time—
(a) any part of the material is vertically below the line and within
the minimum distance from any part of the line worked out in
accordance with table 21, item 1; or
Electricity network facilities Part 3
Section 22
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(b) if the material is not vertically below the line—any part of the
material is within—
(i) the minimum horizontal distance, worked out in
accordance with table 21, item 2 from the vertical
projection below the line; and
(ii) the minimum vertical distance, worked out in accordance
with table 21, item 1 below the horizontal projection from
any part of the line.
Table 21
column 1 column 2 column 3 column 4 column 5 column 6
direction in
which
minimum
distance must
be observed
minimum
distance from
insulated
aerial cable or
insulated
aerial service
line, where-
U 1 kV
minimum
distance from
aerial
conductor or
covered aerial
cable, where-
U 1 kV
minimum
distance from
aerial
conductor or
aerial cable,
where-
1 kV < U 33
kV
minimum
distance from
aerial
conductor or
aerial cable,
where-
33 kV < U
132 kV
1 vertical
projection below
the aerial line
2.7m 3.7m 4.6m 5.0m
2 horizontally,
from any point
of the vertical
projection below
the aerial line
1.5m 2.0m 2.7m 3.0m
Note Symbols used in table 21 are defined in the dictionary.
22 Clearances from aerial lines—aircraft
A person must not, without reasonable excuse, launch, release,
operate, fly or land any aircraft, glider, hang glider, hot air balloon,
parachute, mechanically propelled model aircraft, model glider or
kite within 50m of an aerial line.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
Part 3 Electricity network facilities
Section 23
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23 Clearances from aerial lines—vehicles
(1) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, operate a vehicle on
land if any part of the vehicle is too close to an aerial line.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
(2) In this section:
vehicle includes any load on the vehicle, but does not include mobile
plant to which section 24 applies.
(3) A part of a vehicle is too close to an aerial line if at any time it is
within the minimum distance from any part of the line worked out in
accordance with table 23.
Table 23
column 1 column 2 column 3 column 4 column 5
direction in
which minimum
distance must be
observed
minimum
distance from
insulated aerial
cable or
insulated aerial
service line,
where-
U 1 kV
minimum
distance from
aerial conductor
or covered aerial
cable, where-
U 1 kV
minimum
distance from
aerial conductor
or aerial cable
where-
1 kV < U 33 kV
minimum distance
from aerial
conductor or aerial
cable where-
33 kV < U 132 kV
any direction 0.3m 0.6m 0.9m 2.1m
Note Symbols used in table 23 are defined in the dictionary.
24 Clearances from aerial lines—mobile plant, vessels
(1) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, operate mobile plant
if any part of the plant is too close to an aerial line.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
(2) In subsection (1):
mobile plant means a crane, elevating work platform, tip truck or
similar plant, any equipment fitted with a jib or boom, or any device
for raising or lowering a load.
Electricity network facilities Part 3
Section 25
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(3) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, operate a vessel on
water if any part of the vessel is too close to an aerial line.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
(4) A part of a mobile plant or vessel is too close to an aerial line if at any
time it is within the minimum distance from any part of the line
worked out in accordance with table 24.
Table 24
column 1 column 2 column 3 column 4 column 5
direction in
which
minimum
distance must
be observed
minimum
distance from
insulated
aerial cable or
insulated
aerial service
line, where-
U 1 kV
minimum
distance from
aerial
conductor or
covered aerial
cable, where-
U 1 kV
minimum distance
from aerial
conductor or
aerial cable,
where-
1 kV < U 33 kV
minimum distance
from aerial conductor
or aerial cable,
where-
33 kV < U 132 kV
any direction 1.0m 1.0m 3.0m 3.0m
Note Symbols used in table 24 are defined in the dictionary.
25 Clearances from aerial lines—vegetation
(1) A lessee of territory land must not, without reasonable excuse, allow
any part of a tree or other vegetation on the land to be too close to an
aerial line.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
Note Under the Urban Forest Act 2023, pt 3 it is an offence to damage a
protected tree (see that Act, s 16). However, the offences do not apply to
an activity approved under the Urban Forest Act 2023, s 28 or s 32 (see
that Act, s 18 (1) (c)).
(2) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, prune or clear a tree
or other vegetation if any part of the tree or vegetation is likely to fall
too close to an aerial line.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
Part 3 Electricity network facilities
Section 26
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(3) A part of a tree or other vegetation is too close to an aerial line if at
any time it is within the minimum distance from any part of the line
worked out in accordance with table 25.
Table 25
column 1 column 2 column 3 column 4 column 5
direction in
which
minimum
distance must
be observed
minimum
distance from
insulated aerial
cable or
insulated aerial
service line,
where-
U 1 kV
minimum
distance from
aerial
conductor or
covered aerial
cable, where-
U 1 kV
minimum distance
from aerial
conductor or
aerial cable,
where-
1 kV < U 33 kV
minimum distance
from aerial conductor
or aerial cable,
where-
33 kV < U 132 kV
any direction 1.0m 1.5m 2.0m 3.0m
Note Symbols used in table 25 are defined in the dictionary.
26 Measuring clearances from aerial lines
For this regulation, the minimum distance from any part of an aerial
line is to be measured from the nearest point to which the line sags or
swings.
27 Placing of materials near substations or switchyards
A person must not, without reasonable excuse—
(a) place or keep any timber or other flammable material closer than
3m in any direction from a wall or fence of a substation, or
switchyard, that forms part of an electricity network; or
(b) place or keep any material in a way that is likely to—
(i) impede access to any door, gate or entrance of a substation,
or switchyard, that forms part of an electricity network; or
(ii) interfere with the free flow of air through any opening or
fitting used for ventilation in the walls of a substation, or
switchyard, that forms part of an electricity network.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
Electricity network facilities Part 3
Section 28
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28 Attachments, or climbing, on electricity network facility
(1) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, attach a thing to an
electricity network facility if it is likely to interrupt or endanger the
safe or efficient operation of the facility.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
(2) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, climb an electricity
network facility.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
Part 4 Water and sewerage network facilities
Section 29
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Part 4 Water and sewerage network
facilities
29 Throwing objects at facilities
A person must not, without reasonable excuse, throw or otherwise
project an object—
(a) with intent to strike a water or sewerage network facility; or
(b) if the object is likely to strike a water or sewerage network
facility;
if the striking is likely to endanger any person or property or interrupt
or endanger the safe or efficient operation of the facility.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
30 Driving etc over underground water or sewerage network
facilities
A person must not, without reasonable excuse, drive a vehicle, or
operate plant, machinery or equipment, over an underground water or
sewerage network facility if it is likely to damage the facility or
endanger its safe or efficient operation.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
31 Underground water or sewerage network facilities
A person must not, without reasonable excuse, place or keep, above
or adjacent to an underground water or sewerage network facility, any
corrosive, abrasive, heavy or harmful material or substance that is
likely to damage the facility or endanger its safe or efficient operation.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
Water and sewerage network facilities Part 4
Section 32
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32 Excavating
A person must not, without reasonable excuse—
(a) cut away, excavate or remove any earth or material supporting
or covering a water or sewerage network facility in a way that is
likely to damage the facility or endanger its safe or efficient
operation; or
(b) make an excavation deeper than 0.3m within 0.6m of any wall,
fence or foundation of a structure that forms part of a water or
sewerage network.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
33 Changing ground level
A person must not, without reasonable excuse, change the ground
level above or adjacent to a water or sewerage network facility if that
is likely to damage the facility, endanger its safe or efficient
operation, or impede reasonable access to it for the purposes of its
operation.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
34 Climbing on water or sewerage network facilities
A person must not, without reasonable excuse, climb a water or
sewerage network facility.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
35 Entry to water or sewerage network facilities
A person must not, without reasonable excuse, enter a water or
sewerage network facility.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
Part 4 Water and sewerage network facilities
Section 36
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36 Work on water or sewerage network facilities etc
(1) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, work on—
(a) a water or sewerage network facility; or
(b) a pipe that communicates with such a facility;
in a way that is likely to endanger people or property or interrupt or
endanger the safe or efficient operation of the facility.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
(2) In this section:
work includes installation and removal.
Gas network facilities Part 5
Section 37
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Part 5 Gas network facilities
37 Throwing objects at facilities
A person must not, without reasonable excuse, throw or otherwise
project an object—
(a) with intent to strike a gas network facility; or
(b) if the object is likely to strike a gas network facility;
if the striking is likely to endanger any person or property or interrupt
or endanger the safe or efficient operation of the facility.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
38 Driving etc over underground gas network facilities
A person must not, without reasonable excuse, drive a vehicle, or
operate plant, machinery or equipment, over an underground gas
network facility if it is likely to damage the facility or endanger its
safe or efficient operation.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
39 Underground gas network facilities
A person must not, without reasonable excuse, place or keep, above
or adjacent to an underground gas network facility, any corrosive,
abrasive, heavy or harmful material or substance that is likely to
damage the facility or endanger its safe or efficient operation.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
Part 5 Gas network facilities
Section 40
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40 Excavating
A person must not, without reasonable excuse—
(a) cut away, excavate or remove any earth or material near,
supporting or covering a gas network facility in a way that is
likely to damage the facility or endanger its safe or efficient
operation; or
(b) make an excavation deeper than 0.3m within 0.6m of any wall,
fence or foundation of a structure that forms part of a gas
network.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
41 Changing ground level
A person must not, without reasonable excuse, change the ground
level above or adjacent to a gas network facility if that is likely to
damage the facility, endanger its safe or efficient operation, or impede
reasonable access to it for the purposes of its operation.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
42 Climbing on gas facilities
A person must not, without reasonable excuse, climb a gas network
facility.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
43 Work on gas network facilities etc
(1) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, work on—
(a) a gas network facility; or
Gas network facilities Part 5
Section 43
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(b) a pipe or equipment directly connected to, but not part of, such
a facility;
in a way that is likely to endanger people or property or interrupt or
endanger the safe or efficient operation of the facility.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
(2) In this section:
work includes installation or removal.
Dictionary
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Dictionary
(see s 3)
Note 1 The Legislation Act contains definitions and other provisions relevant to
this regulation.
Note 2 For example, the Legislation Act, dict, pt 1 defines the following terms:
• AS/NZS (see s 164)
• penalty unit (s 133)
• territory land.
Note 3 Terms used in this regulation have the same meaning that they have in
the Utilities Act 2000 (see Legislation Act, s 148.) For example, the
following terms are defined in the Utilities Act 2000, dict:
• network facility
• utility.
aerial cable means any insulated or covered conductor or assembly
of cores (with or without protective covering) that is above ground or
water, suspended in the open air between 2 or more supports and
forms part of an electricity network.
aerial conductor means any bare conductor that is above ground or
water, suspended in the open air between 2 or more supports and
forms part of an electricity network.
aerial line means an aerial cable, aerial conductor or aerial service
line.
aerial service line means the final span or section of a low voltage
aerial conductor of an upstream network that is connected to a point
of supply.
conductor means a finished circular stranded assembly consisting of
3 or more metallic wires laid up together that has the specific function
of carrying electrical current.
covered conductor means a conductor around which is applied a
specified thickness of insulating material.
Dictionary
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electricity network facility means any part of the infrastructure of an
electricity network.
gas network facility means any part of the infrastructure of a gas
network.
insulated, for a thing, means the thing is surrounded by a
nonconducting substance that provides resistance to—
(a) the passage of current; or
(b) disruptive discharges through or over the surface of the thing at
the operating voltage; or
(c) the injurious leakage of current.
sewerage network facility means any part of the infrastructure of a
sewerage network.
structure means a thing constructed by people and attached to land,
or buried within land.
U, for an aerial line, means its nominal voltage.
switchgear means the equipment for controlling the distribution of
electrical energy or for controlling or protecting circuits, machines,
transformers or other equipment.
water network facility means any part of the infrastructure of a water
network.
< means less than.
means less than or equal to.
Endnotes
1 About the endnotes
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Endnotes
1 About the endnotes
Amending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the
amendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished law
but are set out in the endnotes.
Not all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are
annotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be
obtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.
Uncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The details
of these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced expiries are
underlined in the legislation history and amendment history.
If all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered
provisions gives details of previous and current numbering.
The endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.
2 Abbreviation key
A = Act NI = Notifiable instrument
AF = Approved form o = order
am = amended om = omitted/repealed
amdt = amendment ord = ordinance
AR = Assembly resolution orig = original
ch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph
CN = Commencement notice pres = present
def = definition prev = previous
DI = Disallowable instrument (prev...) = previously
dict = dictionary pt = part
disallowed = disallowed by the Legislative r = rule/subrule
Assembly reloc = relocated
div = division renum = renumbered
exp = expires/expired R[X] = Republication No
Gaz = gazette RI = reissue
hdg = heading s = section/subsection
IA = Interpretation Act 1967 sch = schedule
ins = inserted/added sdiv = subdivision
LA = Legislation Act 2001 SL = Subordinate law
LR = legislation register sub = substituted
LRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 underlining = whole or part not commenced
mod = modified/modification or to be expired
Endnotes
Legislation history 3
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3 Legislation history
This regulation was originally the Utility Networks (Public Safety) Regulations
2001. It was renamed under the Legislation Act.
Utility Networks (Public Safety) Regulation 2001 SL2001-28
notified 23 August 2001 (Gaz 2001 No 34)
s 1, s 2 commenced 23 August 2001 (IA s 10B)
remainder commenced 11 September 2001 (s 2 and Gaz 2001
No S69)
as amended by
Statute Law Amendment Act 2002 A2002-30 pt 3.89
notified LR 16 September 2002
s 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 19 May 1997 (LA s 75 (2))
pt 3.89 commenced 17 September 2002 (s 2 (1))
Construction Occupations Legislation Amendment Act 2004
A2004-13 sch 2 pt 2.26
notified LR 26 March 2004
s 1, s 2 commenced 26 March 2004 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 2 pt 2.26 commenced 1 September 2004 (s 2 and see
Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004 A2004-12, s 2 and
CN2004-8)
Statute Law Amendment Act 2013 A2013-19 sch 3 pt 3.49
notified LR 24 May 2013
s 1, s 2 commenced 24 May 2013 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 3 pt 3.49 commenced 14 June 2013 (s 2)
Urban Forest (Consequential Amendments) Act 2023 A2023-52 sch 1
pt 1.14
notified LR 11 December 2023
s 1, s 2 commenced 11 December 2023 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.14 commenced 1 January 2024 (s 2 and see Urban Forest
Act 2023 A2023-14, s 2)
Endnotes
4 Amendment history
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4 Amendment history
Name of regulation
s 1 am R4 LA
Commencement
s 2 om LA s 89 (4)
Clearances from aerial lines—people
s 18 am A2004-13 amdt 2.91; table renum R3 LA
Clearances from aerial lines—structures
s 19 table renum R3 LA
am A2013-19 amdt 3.475
Clearances from aerial conductors—flammable materials
s 20 table renum R3 LA
clearances from aerial lines—nonflammable materials
s 21 table renum R3 LA
Clearances from aerial lines—vehicles
s 23 table renum R3 LA
Clearances from aerial lines—mobile plant, vessels
s 24 table renum R3 LA
Clearances from aerial lines—vegetation
s 25 table renum R3 LA
am A2023-52 amdt 1.116
Dictionary
dict am A2002-30 amdt 3.977; A2013-19 amdt 3.476