Supply Interuptions

Infrastructure damage prevention

To prevent damage to underground utility services, including electricity infrastructure, a one call operation known as Dial Before You Dig has been established.

Dial Before You Dig assists you in locating underground services in the area you are planning to dig.

Enquiries should be directed to 1100 at least two working days prior to excavation.
Service Operators are available between 8:00am and 5:00pm (local time), Monday to Friday.

If a natural gas pipe is damaged, please call 131 909 or 000. The excavator responsible for the damage may incur a charge to repair damaged gas mains and services.

Dial Before You Dig is funded by utility organisations throughout Australia.

Trees and Overhead Electricity Lines

A Code of Practice has been established that sets out the minimum clearances and the responsibilities in relation to electric lines, trees and vegetation throughout the State of Victoria. The following information, published by Energy Safe Victoria, is taken from the Code of Practice and provides guidance regarding trees and electric lines.

Powerline Clearance and Your Property

Private Overhead Electric Lines (POEL)

Jemena is committed to a safety first approach and we use a range of bushfire mitigation strategies to improve the safety and security of rural communities. These include: ongoing maintenance programs to ensure network safety and reliability; extensive overhead powerline inspections and POEL awareness activities; notification to POEL customers required to rectify defects; annual inspections, pruning and removal of vegetation from powerlines; and close liaison with the Country Fire Authority.

Although Jemena Electricity Networks (Vic) Ltd owns the majority of electricity assets in your area, there are also a number of POEL which are owned by, and the responsibility of private citizens. Jemena has a strong ongoing commitment to bushfire risk mitigation. However, we advise owners/occupiers of properties that contain a POEL to take the following actions;

• Have the POEL on your property checked for any defects or faults prior to summer every year. We recommend you engage a Registered Electrical Contractor (REC) to carry out an inspection and conduct any necessary repairs. You can also employ an appropriately qualified vegetation clearance contractor to create required clearance space between nearby trees and your POEL.

• Seek advice if you are unsure about your responsibilities. Please refer to the ‘Electricity Safety Act 1998’ and/or ‘Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearances) Regulations 2005’ for more information.

For further information about Legislation and Regulations; please refer to the Energy Safe Victoria website.

Fire safety is everyone’s responsibility and Jemena thanks you for your support in better protecting our community from the threat of bushfires this summer.