Power and Water will commence its bi-annual vegetation maintenance program in Alice Springs this week with a focus on balancing power supply reliability and public safety with community values.
For the last month Power and Water’s contractor Territory based specialist Infrastructure Vegetation Management Services Australia has been assessing each and every tree close to the power network.
Executive General Manager Power Services, Ross Musgrove says that ensuring the power network is reliable and safe for the community and our workers is essential and one of Power and Water’s key priorities.
“We understand people care about trees and value their place in our neighbourhoods, however trees and vegetation can present a significant risk to the power network.”
Vegetation maintenance around power networks is necessary standard practice for electrical utilities across Australia. Vegetation presents significant safety and power reliability risks through damage and faults caused by trees touching powerlines, falling branches bringing down live powerlines and potential sparking and fire ignition from contact with powerlines.
“During this maintenance cycle we are working hard to find the right balance between supporting both trees and powerlines. Ultimately, the safety of the public and reliability of the power network is most important,” Mr Musgrove said.
“We have engaged with key stakeholders prior to the delivery of the maintenance program, and we will continue that engagement while this important maintenance is carried out.”
A qualified arborist has determined how much needs to be trimmed to meet minimum clearances requirements from the powerlines and the best cutting method to maintain the health of each tree.
Benefits of implementing different cutting methods includes maintaining the structural integrity of the tree, directing regrowth away from powerlines and minimising rapid and weak re-growth.
While Power and Water will try to avoid removing any trees, a separate program has been established in consultation with Alice Springs Town Council for future tree removal if one cannot coexist with nearby powerlines. This will be supported by a replanting program with suitable trees or shrubs, which will be delivered over an 18-months period.
“In some instances, both juvenile and established trees may be identified for removal at a later date. Tree removal will only be recommended for species of trees that cannot continue sustainable and healthy regrowth near the power network.”
Power and Water urges anyone with concerns about the tree maintenance work in Alice Springs to visit powerwater.com.au or call 1800 245 092.
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