Trees near powerlines – public feedback sought

Cyclone Gabrielle has prompted the Government to seek public feedback on trees near powerlines by April 19.

Power cuts have occurred during extreme weather events, with modern EVs used to provide back-up in some areas, and options are now proposed to improve the electricity network’s resilience and prepare for a changing climate.

Feedback is therefore sought on amendments to the 20-year-old Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations 2003 which cover the trimming of trees near power lines.

“Cyclone Gabrielle has highlighted the hazards to electricity lines and transmission infrastructure from vegetation in extreme weather events,” says energy and resources minister Dr Megan Woods.

“The climate is changing and so must we.”

Proposed options to improve the electricity network’s resilience to potential damage from trees has been released by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).

The regulations detail the rights and responsibilities of those who own trees and forests, and ‘works’ owners, such as electricity line owners or operators, where trees and electricity lines share space.

“The Government has engaged with key stakeholders who own vegetation and those who manage the local electricity lines to identify opportunities to make improvements,” says Woods.

“We’ve got a lot of good information about how to make the rules as effective and efficient as possible and we’re now asking for wider feedback to ensure the regulations are fit-for-purpose with our changing climate.

“The events of the past few weeks make this consultation timely. We have seen unprecedented and widespread damage to our communities and have collectively felt the impacts of extreme weather events.”

Woods says improving trees regulations will “help manage one piece of the puzzle in transitioning our country towards a climate-resilient future”.

Click here to have a say.