The Star: June 29, 2017

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Thursday June 29 2017 45
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Trees and Power Lines
The responsibilities of tree owners and Orion under the
Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations 2003
Orion New Zealand owns and operates the electricity distribution network in central
Canterbury between the Waimakariri and Rakaia rivers and from the Canterbury coast
to Arthur’s Pass. Trees touching power lines account for 10-20% of all unplanned power
outages on our network. If you see a tree touching a power line, or any other hazardous
tree condition, please contact us immediately on 03 363 9898 or 0800 363 9898.
This advertisement provides a general notice of the Electricity (Hazards from Trees)
Regulations 2003 and the dangers of trees near power lines. More detail on these issues
can be found on our website www.oriongroup.co.nz or by phoning us on 03 363 9898.
The Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations 2003
The regulations set out the responsibilities of electricity line companies and tree owners.
The purpose of the regulations is to protect the safety of the public and help to ensure a
secure supply of electricity. The regulations:
• define safe separation distances between trees and power lines
• specifies who is responsible for ensuring clearances are maintained
• places potential liability on the tree owner if any damage or accident occurs due to
trees touching power lines. (Note that the word “trees” includes all types of vegetation,
including shrubs, hedges and climbing vines.)
What are the dangers?
Trees near power lines need to be trimmed or removed for the following reasons:
• children like to climb trees and when trees are close to power lines there is a risk of
serious injury or death
• in severe weather conditions, vegetation can become electrically “live” and may
electrocute anyone or anything that touches it
• while a tree may not touch a power line in fine weather, branches can bend or break in
wind or snow storms, causing serious damage and possibly prolonged power outages
• in dry conditions, electrical sparking caused by branches or windblown debris on lines
may cause fires.
Minimum distances required between trees and power lines
The minimum distances that must be maintained between trees and power lines, defined in
the regulations, are outlined in the diagram to the right. A common sense approach, by tree
owners trimming trees early, will generally prevent trees touching power lines.
To maintain a safe distance from power lines some trees require cutting or trimming
more frequently than other trees, but if it is determined that cutting or trimming cannot
satisfactorily meet the requirement then removing the tree is recommended. Other
situations may require trees to be felled because they are at a distance that is considered
to be a hazard due to falling during storms or being diseased.
Orion’s tree management programme
Orion’s tree management programme is largely governed by the Electricity (Hazards from
Trees) Regulations 2003. Our programme involves education, monitoring and the cut/trim
or removal of trees that threaten to come into contact with power lines. Through this
programme we work with tree owners to minimise the risk of their trees touching power lines.
We currently undertake periodic cutting or trimming of vegetation within the notice zone.
The intent of this cutting or trimming is to support safety and reduce the risk of power
outages. This periodic cutting or trimming by us does not remove the tree owner’s
responsibilities and in the case of fast growing species may not be sufficient to ensure
that trees remain outside of the growth limit zone. You will be notified prior to any periodic
trimming being carried out and the work will be completed by arborists carrying Orion
identification.
If Orion becomes aware of a tree which is within the ‘Notice zone’ (see Tree “A” in the diagram
below) then we are required to issue the tree owner with a Hazard Warning notice. For trees
within the ‘Growth limit zone’ (see Tree “B” in the diagram below) we are required to issue the
tree owner with a Cut or Trim notice.
What is a hazard warning notice?
If a tree is within the “Notice zone” (see Tree “A” in the diagram), we are required to issue a
hazard warning notice to the tree owner.
Tree “A”
Notice
zone
Growth
limit
zone
Tree “B”
Power line Notice zone Growth limit zone
66kV (high voltage) 5.0 metres 4.0 metres
33kV (high voltage) 3.5 metres 2.5 metres
11kV (high voltage) 2.6 metres 1.6 metres
400V/230V (low voltage) 1.5 metres 0.5 metres
Note:
1) These distances are from the power line, not the power pole
V = Volts; kV = kilo Volts ie 1,000 Volts
2) These distances are a minimum and apply in all conditions including high wind or snow
3) In most instances the power lines that go to a house or building are low voltage power
lines. Power lines that go down a street may be low or high voltage.
Trimming trees near power lines
Trimming trees near power lines can be extremely hazardous and the dangers should not
be underestimated. Contact with a power line can cause:
• injury or death to yourself, family or passers by
• injury or death to livestock
• damage to property and other trees
• damage to electrical appliances
• damage to power supply facilities
• damage to third parties.
We recognise that the public is not always experienced in tree trimming, so we are happy
to advise you on this. We can arrange for trees near power lines to be trimmed at your
cost. If, however, you prefer to arrange your own tree trimming, we recommend you hire
professionals with the necessary expertise and safety procedures to competently carry out
this work.
If you or someone working for you intends to work within 4 metres of power lines, a close
approach consent is required from Orion before you start. As a tree owner you may be liable
for any damage caused by carrying out trimming or felling of trees.
A hazard warning notice alerts the tree owner that the tree has encroached the notice zone
and that if it encroaches the “Growth limit zone” (see Tree “B” in the diagram) a cut or trim
notice may be immediately given to the tree owner (see above).
The growth limit zone is the area around a power line which trees must not encroach even
in windy or snow conditions. The notice zone is a distance one metre beyond the growth
limit zone.
What is a cut or trim notice?
If we become aware that a tree has encroached on the “Growth limit zone”, we will give
notice in writing to the tree owner that the tree must be cut or timed to maintain the
distances prescribed in the regulations, and the timeframes for action.
If no action is taken Orion may then trim the tree and seek to recover costs.
Who pays for the cut or trim?
Orion is responsible for the first cut of trees near power lines, where the first cut is on a
property basis, not owner basis. We have already met this obligation by completing a first cut
of vegetation on all our lines.
The tree owner will need to organise and pay for any subsequent and future cuts or trims.
We are happy to provide tree owners with a list of approved arborists who can carry out this
work, and also advise the best solution given the circumstances.
What fines can be imposed?
A tree owner commits an offence where a cut or trim notice is given, and without reasonable
excuse, the tree owner fails to have the tree cut or trimmed and/or fails to advise us of the
time and location of the cut or trim.
A person who commits such an offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine not
exceeding $10,000. If the offence continues, that person is also liable for a further fine of
not more than $500 for every day or part day during which the offence continues.
Contact us if in any doubt about your tree
We aim to work with tree owners to ensure safety is maintained and power outages are
minimised. We will actively work with tree owners to see trees are trimmed or cut before
regulatory powers are applied. However, as we wish to ensure the safety and security of the
public, we will use the regulations where necessary.
Please contact us or an approved Orion tree trimming contractor to help with your trees,
or to discuss your options.
ORION NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
565 Wairakei Road, Christchurch 8053
PO Box 13896, Christchurch 8141
Phone +64 3 363 9898
info@oriongroup.co.nz
oriongroup.co.nz
Orion New Zealand Limited owns and operates the electricity distribution network
in central Canterbury between the Waimakariri and Rakaia rivers.