Trees and vegetation that are too close to powerlines can catch fire, give people electric shocks and damage electrical infrastructure and property, see Vegetation near powerlines.
When planting trees near powerlines ensure that you follow the guidance on this page and always maintain adequate clearance between the vegetation and powerlines.
Planting limitations
There are limitations on the type and location of trees and vegetation you can plant near powerlines. These are set out in the Electricity (Principles of Vegetation Clearance) Regulations 2021.
It is a legal requirement to maintain a safe clearance zone around any applicable trees on a property you occupy or own, see Vegetation clearance near powerlines.
Compliance with the planting limitations will reduce the amount of pruning work needed to maintain this clearance zone on your property in the future.
Which trees are allowed
Tree species with a mature height of two metres and less are exempt from planting restrictions.
To find out which species of trees you can plant see the list of trees that can be planted near powerlines or use the Plant Selector online database – refine your search and choose 'under powerlines' from the placement menu.
The mature height of the tree affects how close it can be planted to particular types of powerlines. See planting distances below.
Planting distances
The regulations set out specific planting distances for trees planted near overhead powerlines in designated bushfire risk areas and non-bushfire risk areas. There are also planting distances from underground powerlines.
Bushfire risk areas are defined in the Electricity (Principles of Vegetation Clearance) Regulations 2021.
Most of the Adelaide metropolitan area and many developed townships are non-bushfire risk areas under the regulations. Find out if your property is in a bushfire risk area by downloading Google Earth and viewing the electricity regulation boundaries.
Contact the Office of the Technical Regulator for assistance.
Planting limitations only apply if you intend to plant trees within a certain distance from the centreline of the powerlines. These distances depend on the voltage of the powerline and whether you live in a designated bushfire risk area.
| Voltage of the powerline | Prescribed clearance distance from the centre line of the powerline |
|---|---|
| 275kV | 12.5 metres |
| 132kV (Excluding single pole lines) | 15.0 metres |
| 132kV (Single pole) | 10.0 metres |
| 66kV | 6.5 metres |
| All other voltages | 6.0 metres |
Bushfire risk areas – planting near overhead powerlines
Planting within the prescribed distance
For bare powerline conductors (wires) only trees from list 1 - approved vegetation and trees with a mature height of less than 2 metres can be planted.
For insulated powerline conductors (wires) only trees from list 1- approved vegetation and list 2 - permitted vegetation and trees with a mature height of less than 2 metres can be planted.
Planting within the area from the prescribed distance to double the prescribed distance
Only trees from list 1 and 2 from the approved and permitted lists and trees with a mature height of less than 2 metres can be planted.
Planting beyond double the prescribed distance
Any tree can be planted.
Non-bushfire risk areas – planting near overhead powerlines
Planting within the prescribed distance
Only trees from list 1 and 2 from the approved and permitted lists and trees with a mature height of less than 2 metres can be planted.
Planting beyond the prescribed distance
Any tree can be planted.
Planting near underground powerlines
Near an underground supply line of 66kV or more, only trees from the approved vegetation list and trees with a mature height of less than 2 metres can be planted within 3 metres of the centre of the underground powerline.
For detailed information on planting distances near powerlines refer to the Electricity (Principles of Vegetation Clearance) Regulations 2021.
Applying for an exemption
The Technical Regulator may grant an exemption from planting restrictions. If you intend to plant a tree near a powerline that is not permitted by the regulations, you must apply for an exemption.
Except for timber plantations, the Technical Regulator may grant an exemption from planting restrictions following consultation with the electricity network operator.
The exemption includes conditions that a person must manage and maintain the vegetation and clearance distances and that it will be reviewed if the occupier or owner of the property changes.
Trees that are permitted to be planted under an exemption from planting restrictions will still need to be kept trimmed to the regulation distance from the powerlines.
