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Electric Line Clearance Management Plan - PDF
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1 Electric Line Clearance Management Plan Document Version Revision Date Issue Number Authorised By Version 1 31 March Director Environment and Infrastructure Authorisation Date 1
2 ELECTRIC LINE CLEARANCE MANAGEMENT PLAN SUBMITTED BY: Name: Bayside City Council Date: 31 March 2016 The following sections are as per Regulation 9(3) (Management Plans) of the Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations (3)(a) Name, Address and Telephone Number of the Responsible Person. Name: Bayside City Council Address: 76 Royal Avenue, Sandringham, Victoria, 3191 Council Office Telephone No.: Council Office Facsimile No.: (3)(b) Name, Position, Address and Telephone Number of the Person who was responsible for the Preparation of the Plan. Name: Position: Steven White Director Environment and Infrastructure Business Address: 76 Royal Avenue, Sandringham, Victoria, 3191 Telephone No.: Facsimile No.: Address: 9(3)(c) Name, position, address and telephone number of the persons who are responsible for carrying out the plan. Name: Mary Markowski Lisa Carty Position: Open Space Arborist Operational Leader Citywide Business Address: 76 Royal Avenue, Advantage Road Sandringham, Victoria, 3191 Highett. Vic Telephone No.: Facsimile No.: Address: 9(3)(d) The telephone number of a person who can be contacted in an emergency that requires clearance of an electric line that the responsible person is required to keep clear of Vegetation Name: Council s Emergency after-hours Contact Number Emergency telephone no.:
3 9(3)(e) The objectives of the plan. The objectives of this vegetation management plan are: i. Public safety and continuity of electricity supply. Council trees are pruned to ensure public safety and continuity of electricity supply. ii. Provide a safe working place for employees and service providers. Council requires that all work conducted on trees is conducted by suitably trained workers who have qualifications in arboriculture or suitable experience and/or in the process of obtaining qualifications. iii. Compliance with the Code of Practice for Electric Line Clearance 2015 and to ensure electrical safety. Council Policy requires that all trees are pruned to the Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations The draft Bayside Street Tree Selection Guide 2016 includes the presence of power lines in the street as one of the criteria for selection of suitable species for its streets. Council requires its staff and contractors to have experience, expertise, quality management, OH&S systems and environmental management systems to ensure compliance with Industry Standards and Council requirements. iv. Management of vegetation to maximize the amenity value of the Council s street trees. Council s tree database records inspections and works undertaken on all public trees. Records of inspections are maintained in the Council tree inventory system TRAX. Council has an annual pruning program for trees under High Voltage lines and a two year cyclic pruning program for trees under Low Voltage trees. The adoption of these programs has resulted in a reduction of the volume of vegetation removed and an improvement to the long term health and safety of the trees. This ensures compliance with the regulations and maintains the amenity value of the trees. v. Protect areas of significant vegetation and high amenity value. Council has several heritage trees that are protected under Heritage and Environmental Overlays as outlined in 9(3)(h) of this document. vi. Assist Distribution Businesses in achieving reliability of supply and minimising fire starts. Council will endeavour to assist the Distribution Business to achieve reliability of supply and to minimise fire starts. vii. Protect areas of significant vegetation and high amenity value. 9(3)(f) The land to which the management plan applies by the inclusion of a map. The land to which this plan applies covers approximately 37 square kilometres and is shown on the plans included in Appendix 1 of this document. 9(3)(g) The location of each area that contains trees that may need to be cut or removed to ensure compliance with the Code and that are - The street trees in Bayside City Council are an eclectic mix of natives and exotics which enhance the amenity and liveability of the municipality. Consideration is given to planting lower growing species under the power lines where possible. Native Trees located South of Tulip St and Edward St, Sandringham and Park 3
4 Rd, Cheltenham are protected by a Vegetation Protection Overlay under the Bayside Planning Scheme. At least 80% of the trees planted within this overlay are indigenous to the Bayside area. VPO3 area is indicated in Appendix 3. Listed in planning scheme to be of ecological, historical or aesthetic significance Trees located in North Rd, Brighton between the Nepean Hwy and the foreshore are protected under Heritage Overlays within the Bayside City Planning Scheme. The trees of cultural or environment significance Bayside City Council maintains a Register of Significant Trees which are protected under the Local Law. Trees on this register comply with criteria established by the National Trust. The locations of those trees on Council land are listed in Appendix 4. 9(3)(h) The means which the responsible person is required to use to identify a tree specified in paragraph (g) Consult the Planning Scheme. Consult the National Trust Heritage Overlays. Consult the Register of Significant Trees. Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register Threatened/Endangered Flora List Threatened/Endangered Invertebrate Fauna List Threatened/Endangered Fauna list Tree lists and registers will be amended when there are updates to the planning scheme or environmental overlays. 9(3)(i) The management procedures that the responsible person is required to adopt to ensure compliance with the code, which must include details of the methods proposed to be adopted for: (i) Details of the methods to be adopted for managing trees and maintaining a minimum clearance space as required by the code: Council has approximately 22,000 trees that are affected by the Electric Line Clearance Management Plan. Undertake an annual inspection and pruning (where required) of all trees under HV powerlines to ensure compliance with the code of practice. Two yearly inspection and pruning (where required) of all trees within the City of Bayside. The maintenance schedule is included in Appendix 2 of this document. Trees are recorded on a tree database and identified by an Asset ID number, property address and GIS references. Work toward obtaining permission from the Distribution Business to employ independent contractors to carry out Live Line works Transitioning overhead powerlines to underground or Aerial Bundled Conductor (ABC) in areas of high conflict where funding permits. Requiring all subdivisions and new estates to underground proposed powerlines. The use of appropriate plant selection for new and replacement plantings. 4
5 Identify trees which cannot be pruned to meet required clearances in a manner consistent with the Australian Standard 4373 Pruning of Amenity Trees and should be retained under Council Policy. Work towards gaining exceptions and exemptions for those trees that cannot be removed under Council Policy and cannot be pruned to the required clearance. Work in conjunction with the power supply authority to achieve practical and affordable solutions for those trees which cannot be pruned to required clearances. Council will undertake an annual audit trees for regrowth into the clearance space, to determine the level of pruning required to ensure adequate space for regrowth before the next inspection. The pruning arborist will apply the following method: Av. of annual growth extension since last prune x years to next program prune = amount pruned. Council has a customer service system that can be accessed by the community or distribution companies on or (ii) Specify the method for determining an additional distance that allows for cable sag and sway for the purpose of determining a minimum clearance space in accordance with Division 1 of Part 3 of the Code: Bayside City Council is an urban Council which has a predominance of spans of 45m or less. Where spans greater than 45m are identified, Council will adopt the clearance distances for spans greater than 45m as required in Schedule 21(2) of the Regulations. Where possible pruning will be undertaken to maintain clearance. Where required alternative solutions will be sought from the Distribution Business to maintain clearance. 9(3)(j) Process for action when compliance with AS4373 is not possible. If it is not practicable to comply with the requirements of AS 4373 while cutting a tree in accordance with the Code, Council s Open Space Arborist will consider whether an exemption, exception, alternative engineering solution or tree removal is required. 9(3)(k) A description of each alternative compliance in respect of which the responsible person has applied, or proposes to apply, for approval under clause 31 of the Code. Bayside has identified a number of trees that have structural branches within the clearance for LV wires and will work towards the completion of this list over the next 12 months. The completed list will be attached to this management plan as Appendix 5. Where required Council will apply for an alternative compliance mechanism under Clause 31 of the Code. 9(3)(l) The details of each approval for an alternative compliance mechanism that is held by : (i) the responsible person Currently there are no alternative compliance mechanisms that are held by the responsible person. (ii) Is in effect Currently there are no alternative compliance mechanisms that are held by the responsible person. 5
6 9(3)(m) A description of the measures that must be used to assess the performance of the responsible person under the management plan. The performance of the responsible persons under the management plan will be assessed against the following: Completion of pruning programs according to schedule Identified vegetation clearance breaches to the code o Since early 2015 Council has collected data on structural branches within the clearance. o This data is stored on the TRAX tree database for at least five years. o The database is regularly updated and all inspections recorded. Preparation of ELCMP prior to 31 March. Auditing of proactive pruning program for compliance. Monthly contract meetings. Urgent Pruning or Removal Council will engage a suitably qualified contractor for removal or pruning urgent trees under the power lines. After undertaking the work, the contractor will be required to notify all affected persons. The Contractor engaged for urgent cutting or removal will record the details of the work carried out as listed below: o When and where the pruning or removal was undertaken. o Why the pruning or removal was required. Native trees or trees of cultural or environmental significance Council will, as far as practicable, restrict cutting or removal of native trees or trees of cultural or environmental significance to the minimum extent necessary to ensure best practice pruning standards and compliance with the requirements of the code of practice or to make an unsafe situation safe. Habitat Trees If it is found that a tree contains habitat hollows any required works will be scheduled for outside of breeding season where practicable. If it is not practicable to undertake cutting or removal of that tree outside of the breeding season for that species, relocation of the fauna will be undertaken wherever practicable. 9(3)(n) Details of the audit processes that must be used to determine the responsible person s compliance with the Code: Council s Open Space Team conducts random monthly audits of pruning works for compliance with Council Policy and Procedures, Australian Standards and the Electric Line clearing code of practice. The audit results are discussed at the monthly contract meetings and saved in Council s records system. A Customer Service Request will be generated for any works required to be undertaken as a result of these audits. Customer satisfaction can be gauged against the number of requests received through the Council s Customer Service Request database. Exceptions and Exemptions Where exemptions or exemptions have been approved, annual audits will be undertaken. 6
7 Audits will be undertaken by a suitably qualified Arborist that holds a minimum Arboriculture Certificate Level IV and has at least 3 years field experience in assessing trees. Inspections and works undertaken will be stored on the electronic tree database. Audit method will be modified if any inadequacies are identified. 9(3)(o) The qualifications and experience that the responsible person must require of the persons who are to carry out the inspection, cutting or removal of trees in accordance with the Code. Council requires experience, expertise, quality management, OH&S systems and environmental management systems of its contractors and internal staff to ensure they comply with industry standards and Council s requirements. Council will ensure that all staff and contractors performing pruning hazard inspections around electric lines will have: The qualification of National Certificate Level IV in Horticulture and Arboriculture, including the "Assess Trees" module, or an equivalent qualification. At least 3 years field experience in assessing trees Council requires that all staff and contractors performing pruning and removal works around electric lines will prune to the following: Pruning of Amenity Trees Australian Standards AS UET20312 in Certificate II in ESI (Powerline Vegetation control) The Code of Practice on Electrical Safety for work on or near high voltage electrical apparatus or the Blue Book. In addition to the above staff will hold the following qualifications: National EWP Licence. Chipper Operations Certificate. Chainsaw Operations Certificate. First Aid- Level 1. Certificate III in Horticulture (Arboriculture) National Code: RTF30203 or suitable experience and in the process of obtaining qualifications. Basic Worksite Traffic Management VIC National Course Code, 21783VIC Control Traffic With A Stop-Slow Bat, 21784VIC Implement Traffic Management Plan. Council requires that all staff and contractors performing live line works will hold the following qualifications: UET30206 Certificate 111 in ESI Distribution Line worker or as otherwise agreed between the Distribution Business and the Other Responsible Person. 9(3)(p) Notification and consultation procedures, including the form of the notice to be given in accordance with Division 3 of Part 2 of the Code Council is not required to provide notice as per Division 3, clause 15(2)(a) as Council is a responsible person referred to under Section 84C of the Electricity Safety Act A copy of Council s Electric Line Clearance Vegetation Management Plan is available at Bayside City Council s office at 76 Royal Avenue, Sandringham for inspection and comment by the public during normal Office hours. 7
8 A copy of the Program Pruning dates are available on the Council website maintenance.htm Consultation processes and schedules for meeting between Council and Distribution Business for clearance issues: Council will engage with the Distribution Business to facilitate consultation and discussion of clearance issues by attending meetings between Council and the Distribution Business responsible for the electric lines in this area. These meetings will address such issues as: HV shutdowns and LV clearance, accessing live line crews, Council coordinating scheduled Distribution Business live line and shutdown works to access trees requiring pruning and other general issues. Council will request information from the Distribution Business to understand the relationship between public trees and outages. Consultation between the Council and the Distribution Business will determine how this process should be undertaken. Process to be reviewed by 31 March (3)(q) Dispute resolution procedures. Internal Dispute Resolution Disputes between Council and the public relating to issues with the pruning of Council trees to comply with the code of practice will be resolved in accordance with current policy. Name: Paulina Xerri Position: Executive Manager Communications and Customer Service Address: 76 Royal Avenue, Sandringham, Victoria, 3191 Telephone: External Dispute Resolution If the Council s dispute resolution process is unsuccessful in resolving the issue, the plaintiff will be referred to the local distribution company, Energy Safe Victoria or the Energy and Water Ombudsman of Victoria whichever is most relevant. The responsible officer for carrying out the plan will ensure that a current copy of Council s Electric Line Clearance Vegetation Management Plan is available at Bayside City Council s office at 76 Royal Avenue, Sandringham for inspection and comment by the public during normal Office hours. Council will comply with all requirements of the management plan and any amendments as requested by Energy Safe Victoria will be completed within the time frame required. All records are stored on Council s electronic filing system. 8
9 The following sections are as per Regulation 9(4) (Preparation of Management Plan) of the Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations A method for determining an additional distance that allows for cable sag and sway may provide for different additional distances to be determined for different parts of a span of an electric line. Bayside City Council is an urban Council which has a predominance of spans of 45m or less. Where spans greater than 45m are identified, Council will adopt the clearance distances for spans greater than 45m as required in Schedule 21(2) of the Regulations. Where possible pruning will be undertaken to maintain clearance. Where required alternative solutions will be sought from the Distribution Businesses to maintain clearance. The following sections are as per Regulation 10(7) (Obligations Relating to Management Plans) of the Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations The responsible person must ensure that a copy of the management plan is a) published on the responsible person's Internet site; and b) available for inspection at the responsible person's principal office in the State during normal business hours. An electronic copy is available on Council s website. A copy of Council s Electric Line Clearance Vegetation Management Plan is available at the Bayside Council offices at 76 Royal Parade, Sandringham for inspection and comment by the public during normal Office hours. The following sections are as per Regulation 11(2) (Exemptions) of the Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations A responsible person who receives an exemption under subregulation (1) must ensure that a copy of the exemption is a) published on the responsible person's Internet site; and b) available for inspection at the responsible person's principal office in the State during normal business hours. Council does not currently hold any exemptions. SCHEDULE 1 CODE OF PRACTICE FOR ELECTRIC LINE CLEARANCE PART 2 CLEARANCE RESPONSIBILITIES DIVISION 1 ROLES OF RESPONSIBLE PERSONS 4) Exception to minimum clearance space for structural branches around insulated low voltage electric lines As part of Council s two yearly pruning program Council s contractor has been requested to identify all trees within Bayside that meet the 9
10 requirements for exception as outlined in Section 4(2) of Schedule 1 of the Code. Once a tree is identified as meeting the requirements the following process is undertaken: (i) a suitably qualified arborist will inspect the tree of which the branch is a part on an annual basis and utilise Council s Asset Management System to report on any structural defects that may cause branch failure. (ii) an assessment of the risks posed by the branch will be undertaken and any measures required to mitigate risks that may have been identified will be actioned within 4 weeks of the inspection occurring. 5) Exception to minimum clearance space for small branches around insulated low voltage electric lines Council requires all vegetation that does not qualify for an exemption or exception to be pruned to maintain clearance spaces for a period of two years. Any breaches of this clearance are responded to reactively and are entered into Councils record management systems and actioned within 20 business days of receiving notification of the breach. 6) Exception to minimum clearance space for structural branches around uninsulated low voltage electric lines in low bushfire risk areas As part of Councils biennial pruning program council s contractor has been requested to identify all trees within Bayside that meet the requirements for exception as outlined in Section 6(2) of Schedule 1 of the Code. Once a tree is identified as meeting the requirements the following process is undertaken: (i) a suitably qualified arborist will inspect the tree of which the branch is a part on an annual basis and utilise Councils Asset management System to report on any structural defects that may cause branch failure (ii) an assessment of the risks posed by the branch will be undertaken and any measures required to mitigate risks that may have been identified will be actioned within 4 weeks of the inspection occurring. 8) Responsible person may cut or remove hazard tree (i) Council will ensure that all trees are assessed by a suitably qualified Arborist that holds as a minimum Arboriculture Certificate Level IV and has at least 3 years field experience in assessing trees. (ii) The assessment will consider all locally foreseeable conditions that it is reasonable to assess within the scope of the expertise of the inspecting Arborist that indicate the likelihood of contact with an electric line. 10
11 SCHEDULE 1 CODE OF PRACTICE FOR ELECTRIC LINE CLEARANCE PART 2 CLEARANCE RESPONSIBILITIES DIVISION 2 MANNER OF CUTTING AND REMOVING TREES 10) Cutting or removal of specified trees must be minimised Council will, as far as practicable, restrict cutting or removal of native trees, trees listed in a planning scheme or trees of cultural or environmental significance to the minimum extent necessary to ensure best practice pruning standards and compliance with the requirements of the code of practice or to make an unsafe situation safe. 11) Cutting or removing habitat for threatened fauna If it is found that a tree contains habitat hollows works will be scheduled for outside of breeding season where practicable. If it is not practicable to undertake cutting or removal of that tree outside of the breeding season for that species, translocation of the fauna will be undertaken wherever practicable. SCHEDULE 1 CODE OF PRACTICE FOR ELECTRIC LINE CLEARANCE PART 2 CLEARANCE RESPONSIBILITIES DIVISION 3 ADDITIONAL DUTIES OF RESPONSIBLE PERSONS 20) Duty relating to the safety of cutting or removal of trees close to an electric line If Council has concerns about the safety of cutting or removal of a tree for which the Council has clearance responsibilities, the Council will consult: Company Contact Phone VicTrack Matt Werner Yarra Trams Michael Fitzmaurice United Energy Jim Robinson
12 SCHEDULE 1 CODE OF PRACTICE FOR ELECTRIC LINE CLEARANCE. PART 3 MINIMUM CLEARANCE SPACES DIVISION 2 ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE MECHANISMS 31) Application for approval of alternative compliance mechanism If Council should apply to Energy Safe Victoria for approval to use an alternative compliance mechanism in respect of a span of an electric line or a class of spans, the application will include details of: (i) the alternative compliance mechanism; and (ii) a written confirmation from the Distribution Business or alternative qualified provider that includes a) the procedures to be adopted for commissioning, installing, operating, maintaining and decommissioning the alternative compliance mechanism; and b) the published technical standards that will be complied with when commissioning, installing, operating, maintaining and decommissioning the alternative compliance mechanism; and (iii) the location of the span; or describe the class; and (iv) the minimum clearance space that the applicant proposes is to be applied in relation to the span, or class of spans, in respect of which the application is made; and (v) a copy of the formal safety assessment prepared by the Distribution Business or an alternative qualified provider under clause 32. (vi) a copy of the written agreement of the owner or the operator of the span; or the owner or the operator of each span that belongs to that class. 32) Formal safety assessment of alternative compliance mechanism As Council Officers are not qualified to provide a formal safety assessment, this will be prepared by the Distribution Business or an alternative qualified provider and will comply with the requirements as defined in Schedule1, part 3, Division 2, Clause 1 of the Code. 12
13 Appendix 1 Bayside City Council Map 13
14 Appendix 2 Bayside City Council Tree Pruning Program Zone 15 Zone 17 Zone 16 Zone 6 Zone 13 Zone 18 Zone 18 Zone 19 Zone 20 Zone 14 Zone 21 Zone 7 Zone 13 Zone Date Tree Numbers 5 January February March April May June Annual HV (High Voltage) program July September (All Zones) 11 October November December January February March April May June Annual HV (High Voltage) program July September (All Zones) 20 October November December January February March Zone 12 Zone 6 Zone 11 Zone 10 Zone 8 Zone 4 Zone 9 Zone 5 14
15 Appendix 3 Road) Map of the VPO3 area (bordered by Tulip St, Park Rd and Beach 15
16 Appendix 4 Bayside Significant Trees Species of Trees Location Melway Ref Stand of Banksia integrifolia Garden areas surrounding the Ricketts Point Tea House 86 C9 Banksia integrifolia Beach Road opposite Burgess Street 86 CP Corymbia maculata 6 Black Street, Brighton 67 E11 Row of Eucalyptus cladocalyx Tovell Street, Brighton 67 E8 Eucalyptus cladocalyx Corner Church and Dendy Streets, Brighton 76 F1 Corymbia ficifolia Entrance to Cheltenham Park 86 H1 Eucalyptus camaldulensis Infant Welfare Centre in Illaroo Reserve, Beaumaris 86 G6 Ficus macrophylla Billilla, Halifax Street, Brighton 67 F12 Quercus canariensis Kamesburgh Gardens North Road, Brighton 67 E & F 7 Cupressus macrocarpa Kamesburgh Gardens North Road, Brighton 67 E & F 7 Macadamia integrifolia Kamesburgh Gardens North Road, Brighton 67 E & F 7 Araucaria columnaris Kamesburgh Gardens North Road, Brighton 67 E & F 7 Ulmus glabra 'Pendula' x2 Kamesburgh Gardens North Road, Brighton 67 E & F 7 Quercus robur cv Kamesburgh Gardens North Road, Brighton 67 E & F 7 Magnolia grandiflora Kamesburgh Gardens North Road, Brighton 67 E & F 7 Banksia integrifolia Crescent Gardens, Sandringham 76 F9 Eucalyptus camaldulensis Whyte Street Reserve Northern Boundary 76 F1 Araucaria heterophylla Billilla, Belle Avenue 67 F12 Eucalyptus leucoxylon 4 Black Street, Brighton 67 E11 Eucalyptus sideroxylon 5 Black Street, Brighton 67 E11 Ulmus pendula Brighton Library Gardens Brighton 67 F10 Quercus suber Brighton Library Gardens Brighton 67 F10 Eucalyptus sideroxylon x 4 Carpenter Street North end along Railway Line 67 F10 Eucalyptus cladocalyx x 2 Neighborhood Park on cnr of Chavasse and North Eucalyptus camaldulensis Pocket Park, Chevasse Street Ficus macrophylla Black Rock House, Ebden Ave, Black Rock Corymbia ficifolia 6 Wall Street Angophora costata 2 Comas Road Eucalyptus camaldulensis Beaumaris Kindergarten, 60 Wells Rd Beaumaris Brachychiton populneus x 2 16 Westley Ave, Brighton 16
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