Victorian energy network United Energy has been charged $93,200 in fines and costs for failure to maintain vegetation clearance around powerlines through south-east Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula.
Regulator Energy Safe Victoria brought 24 charges following inspections by compliance officers during 2021 and 2022.
They identified several locations in hazardous bushfire risk areas where trees had grown within the prescribed minimum clearance spaces with respect to the powerlines.
The charges relate to inspections of powerlines across the Mornington Peninsula and south-eastern suburbs including Langwarrin, Pearcedale, Somerville, Crib Point, Bittern, Tyabb, Balnarring, Tuerong, Dromana, Main Ridge, Mooroduc, Cranbourne South and Mount Martha.
Nine spans had vegetation detected 300mm or less from an uninsulated powerline, with two spans displaying evidence of contact with the lines.
11 spans had vegetation detected within 301mm and 500mm from an uninsulated powerline.
Four spans had vegetation detected 501mm to 600mm, one of which was on a powerline span that had a minimum clearance space of not less than 2250mm.
United Energy entered a guilty plea to all charges and was ordered to pay a fine of $80,000 plus costs of $13,200 after the conviction.
Energy Safe Victoria chief executive officer Leanne Hughson said bushfires had been caused by trees coming into contact with or bringing down powerlines.
“United Energy is required by law to maintain a minimum distance between vegetation and powerlines and they have fallen well short,” she said.
“The fine and conviction imposed by the court show the seriousness of the offence especially in high bushfire risk areas along the Mornington Peninsula.
“Given the very real risk to the communities that live and holiday in that area, we expect United Energy to do better.”
In sentencing at the Frankston Magistrate’s Court on 11 October, Magistrate Stewart said such offences could not and should not ever happen again.
She highlighted the need for general and specific deterrence, and the role the statutory regime plays in protecting the community.
Major Electricity Companies (MECs), councils, and train and tram operators are responsible for vegetation management around powerlines and are required by law to ensure there is enough distance between vegetation and powerlines to prevent them from coming into contact.
Ahead of this summer, Energy Safe Victoria will be targeting high bushfire risk areas, including the Mornington Peninsula to ensure vegetation is being managed and is at safe distances from powerlines.
Other target areas will include the Dandenong Ranges and the Macedon Ranges.
Inspectors will also focus on Victoria’s southwest, including areas impacted by the St Patrick’s Day fires of 2018, and the Colac Otway region.
Energy Safe inspections will continue throughout the fire danger period.
