Who trims tree branches on power lines in NSW depends on where the tree grows, which wires are affected and your electricity network’s responsibilities. Property owners generally need to manage vegetation around their private powerlines, but service wires, street trees and neighbouring trees require a closer check with the network provider.
If branches have damaged the incoming connection, a Level 2 electrician in Sydney can assess the electrical work required. Tree pruning near powerlines needs appropriately qualified vegetation workers; electrical repairs and connection work require separate qualifications and authorisation.
What should you do about tree branches on power lines in NSW?
If a branch is touching a wire, keep clear and report it to your electricity network provider. Do not pull the branch away, cut it or use a ladder or pole pruner near the line. Ausgrid advises contacting it when vegetation compromises the required clearance around its powerlines.
For fallen powerlines, stay at least eight metres away and keep others clear. Report the hazard to Ausgrid on 13 13 88 or Endeavour Energy on 131 003, depending on your location. Call 000 for a life-threatening emergency.
For a non-emergency enquiry, provide your address, where the tree is growing and which wire appears affected. Only use photographs taken from a safe location.
Who is responsible for trimming trees near the wires?
Responsibility is not determined by the tree’s location alone. The type of line, property boundary and network’s vegetation policy also matter.
Trees growing on your property
Ausgrid says owners must keep their private overhead powerlines clear of vegetation. Where your own tree affects the service wire supplying your premises, its guidance assigns you responsibility for clearing growth within your property boundary.
Endeavour Energy also places responsibility on property owners for keeping their trees a safe distance from service lines and private powerlines. Confirm the arrangement for your address before booking work.
Trees on the footpath or council verge
In Ausgrid’s published example, when a council-owned verge tree affects the service wire to a property, Ausgrid clears the relevant growth on either side of the boundary. Report the problem to Ausgrid rather than assuming you must arrange the pruning yourself.
For properties on another network, ask that provider to confirm its process.
Trees growing on a neighbouring property
Contact your network provider before arranging cutting across a boundary. Ausgrid says it clears neighbouring vegetation affecting your service wire in the scenario described in its guidance. Endeavour Energy says it takes steps to arrange pruning when a neighbour’s vegetation encroaches on your service line’s safety clearances.
These examples concern electrical clearance. They do not establish who pays for unrelated garden pruning or complete tree removal.
Who pays for tree trimming near powerlines?
Where vegetation maintenance is your responsibility, ask for a written quote from an appropriately qualified contractor. Confirm the responsibility with your network first, particularly when the tree or wire crosses a boundary.
Do not assume that work arranged by a network is always free. Endeavour Energy’s Tree Management Plan explains that it can undertake pruning at the property owner’s cost where required clearances have not been maintained.
Before accepting a quote, ask whether it includes:
- The agreed pruning scope and removal of cut branches.
- Access equipment and any site access arrangements.
- Any required electrical isolation and reconnection.
- Separate electrical repairs, if damage is found.
- GST and any exclusions.
There is no single price suitable for every property. Ask the contractor to explain how access, branch position and the agreed work affect your quote.
Can a gardener or homeowner cut the branches?
Pruning close to powerlines requires specialist qualifications. Ausgrid states that trimming within three metres of its powerlines must only be undertaken by appropriately accredited workers.
Endeavour Energy says you cannot trim the tree yourself if the branch is within three metres of a powerline, your body or equipment would enter that distance, or the branch is above your service line. It recommends an accredited vegetation contractor and notes that council approval may also be needed.
These restrictions are not a guide for attempting the work yourself from further away. Describe the situation to your network provider and use a contractor qualified for the conditions.
When is electrical work needed as well as pruning?
Removing vegetation and repairing a connection are different jobs. A damaged cable, attachment or private pole needs an electrical assessment; trimming alone does not establish that the equipment is safe.
Privately owned poles, wires and fittings must be maintained by the owner, with a licensed electrician engaged for electrical inspection and repairs. Work on the service connection requires the appropriate ASP accreditation and network authorisation. Electrical work is never a DIY task.
Our guide to overhead electrical service lines provides background on the connection supplying your property.
Where recurring growth raises questions about relocating the service line or its attachment, check with your network provider about approvals before committing to changes. Endeavour Energy identifies attachment relocation by an accredited service provider as a possible alternative in suitable circumstances.
What information should you provide when requesting a quote?
Start with your address, a description of the issue and any notice received from the network. Explain whether you are asking about vegetation clearance, electrical damage or both.
Ask who will coordinate each part of the job and whether separate contractors are required. If the network has issued a notice, provide the complete notice so the proposed work can address its requirements.
Once any immediate hazard has been reported, you can request a quote for the electrical work from IZCO Electrical. Include the network’s advice so the assessment can focus on the connection work needed.
Frequently asked questions
Will my electricity retailer arrange tree trimming?
Contact the electricity network responsible for the poles and wires at your address. Ausgrid and Endeavour Energy provide vegetation reporting and responsibility guidance for their respective networks.
Does the power need to be disconnected before pruning?
Ask the qualified vegetation contractor and network provider to confirm the safety arrangements for your site. Do not assume the line is safe to work near because it appears insulated or your property has lost power. Fallen lines can be re-energised remotely.
Do I need council approval to prune the tree?
Approval may be required. Check with your council before planned pruning or removal, and tell the contractor about any applicable tree protections. Report immediate electrical hazards to the network first.
Can a Level 2 electrician also trim the tree?
ASP accreditation covers specified electrical connection work. It does not, by itself, establish that a person holds the qualifications needed for vegetation work near powerlines. Confirm who will perform the pruning and who will handle any electrical work.
