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Storms, bushfires and summer safety  

At Jemena, we’re committed to doing everything possible to ensure your electricity supply needs are met, no matter the season. Sometimes however, extreme weather events can cause a power outage. Here’s what you need to know and do to stay safe.

For more information and advice on managing power outages, see our outages page or visit the Victorian Government Energy website.

 

Preparing for bushfire season

Each year before bushfire season, our crews work hard to implement our annual bushfire mitigation program and proactively reduce the risks to and from our electricity network in bushfire prone zones. This includes:

  • Cutting back vegetation around and under poles and wires
  • Monitoring, testing and recording the condition of our assets to help avoid potential sparks
  • Applying special safety procedures on total fire ban days
  • Ensuring processes, policies and procedures are understood by all employees and contractors
  • Ensuring our network operates in full compliance with Energy Safe Victoria laws and regulations.

 

Are you bushfire ready?

For advice on how to prepare your property, updates of areas affected by fires and details on emergency situations, visit the Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) website.

To check if your private overhead powerline is in a bushfire risk area, visit the Country Fire Authority (CFA) website.

 

Private overhead electricity power lines (POEL)

If you have private power lines or a private power pole on your property, it's your responsibility to inspect and maintain them. If you're unsure where our network ends and where your responsibilities begin, read our private overhead electric lines brochure or contact us.

Regularly inspect power lines

As power lines and poles are exposed to the elements it’s important to have them inspected routinely by a licensed electrical professional. Please don’t risk your safety by attempting to closely inspect any wires yourself. To ensure your safety on days of total fire ban, we may sometimes disconnect any defective private lines. Reconnection will occur when any dangerous conditions have subsided and charges may apply.

Keeping power lines clear or moving them underground

For safety reasons, you also need to ensure powerlines are free of vegetation, trees and other obstacles. For information on minimum clearance zones see the Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2010. If you’d like to consider undergrounding your power at any stage, just contact us.