2017 18 Powercor and Citipower Vegetation Management Plan PDF

2017 to 2018 Electric Line Clearance
(Vegetation) Management Plan
CitiPower and Powercor
November 15, 2017

Administrator: Wayne Evans
Document No: PAL 2017-2018 ELCMP V1.4
2017 to 2018 Electric Line Clearance
(Vegetation) Management Plan
CitiPower and Powercor
Contents
1 PLAN INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 3
1.1 PLAN APPROVALS............................................................................................................ 3
1.2 PLAN ALTERATIONS ......................................................................................................... 4
1.3 PLAN DEFINITIONS .......................................................................................................... 5
1.4 REGULATION COMPLIANCE INFORMATION – PRESCRIBED CODE OF PRACTICE PROVISIONS ............ 6
1.5 RESPONSIBLE PERSONS .................................................................................................. 11
1.6 ELCMP REFERENCES ..................................................................................................... 11
2 ELCMP OBJECTIVES .............................................................................................................. 13
2.1 VISION ........................................................................................................................ 13
2.2 MISSION ..................................................................................................................... 13
2.3 LEGAL CONTEXT ............................................................................................................ 13
3 NETWORK OVERVIEW ......................................................................................................... 14
3.1 COMPANY GEOGRAPHIC AREAS ....................................................................................... 14
2017 to 2018 Electric Line Clearance (Vegetation) Management Plan - Powercor
3.1.1 POWERCOR NETWORK GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE TO WHICH ELCMP APPLIES ............... 14

3.1.2 CITIPOWER NETWORK GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE TO WHICH ELCMP APPLIES ............... 15
3.2 NATIVE VEGETATION COVERAGE ...................................................................................... 16
3.3 IMPORTANT VEGETATION COVERAGE ................................................................................ 16
3.4 IDENTIFICATION OF IMPORTANT VEGETATION ..................................................................... 18
3.5 PROCESS TO IDENTIFY NATIONALLY PROTECTED VEGETATION AND HABITAT ............................. 19
4 VEGETATION MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW ............................................................................ 22
4.1 STRATEGY OUTLINE ........................................................................................................ 22
4.2 INSPECTION .............................................................................................................. 22

4.2.1 INSPECTION CYCLE ............................................................................................. 22
4.2.2 INSPECTION TO MAINTAIN VEGETATION CLEAR OF POWERLINES ................................. 23
4.2.3 INSPECTION FOR HAZARD TREES ........................................................................... 25
4.3 CUTTING ..................................................................................................................... 25
4.3.1 CUTTING TO MAINTAIN VEGETATION CLEAR OF POWERLINES..................................... 26
4.3.2 URGENT CUTTING/REMOVAL ............................................................................... 26
4.3.3 COMPLIANCE TO AS4373 AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE ................................................... 26
4.4 ASSISTANCE TO RESPONSIBLE PERSONS ............................................................................. 27
4.4.1 GENERAL ASSISTANCE ......................................................................................... 27
4.4.2 ORP DECLARED AREA NON-COMPLIANCES ............................................................ 27
4.5 NOTIFICATION AND CONSULTATION .................................................................................. 28
1
4.5.1 AVAILABLE INFORMATION AND PUBLICATIONS ......................................................... 31
4.5.2 DISPUTE RESOLUTION ......................................................................................... 32
5 TRAINING ............................................................................................................................. 33
6 ELCMP PERFORMANCE MONITORING AND AUDITING........................................................ 34
REFERENCE A VEGETATION WORK CALLING CARD ............................................................................... 36
REFERENCE B TREE MANAGEMENT PLANS ......................................................................................... 38
REFERENCE C ESV REPORTING......................................................................................................... 40
REFERENCE D EPBC ACT REFERRAL PROCESS .................................................................................... 42
REFERENCE E ASSESSMENT AND APPROVAL PROCESS FOR CONTROLLED ACTIONS ...................................... 44
REFERENCE F NOTIFICATION AND CONSULTATION ............................................................................... 46
REFERENCE G GRANTED EXEMPTIONS ............................................................................................... 48
REFERENCE H VEGETATION MANAGEMENT POLICY .............................................................................. 50
REFERENCE I VEGETATION MANAGEMENT STRATEGY........................................................................... 58
REFERENCE J VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PROCEDURE ........................................................................ 99
ATTACHMENT A AUDIT SCHEDULE ................................................................................................... 98
REFERENCE VEGETATION FIELD REFERENCE GUIDE (available separately)

2
1 PLAN INTRODUCTION
1.1 P L A N A P P RO V AL S
Prepared By
31 / 03 / 2017
Wayne Evans
Vegetation Manager
Date
Approved By
31 / 03 / 2017
Matt Thorpe
Head of Network Compliance
Date
Document Revision History

Version No. Revision Summary Reviewer/Approver Date
1 Submission to ESV Wayne Evans / Matt Thorpe 31 March 2017
2 Amendments as per ESV review Wayne Evans/Matt Thorpe 27 July 2017
3 Amendments as per ESV 2nd Wayne Evans/Matt Thorpe 25 August 2017
review
4 VP Timeframes Wayne Evans/Matt Thorpe 15 November 2017

Clarification of Exceptions
3
1.2 P L A N A L TE R A TI O N S
Material Alterations from the 2016/2017 ELCMP
ELCMP Clause Change/Updated Element Comments

all Combined CitiPower and Powercor As approved by ESV, this ELCMP now
ELCMP applies to both CitiPower and
Powercor
Updated ELCMP references:
Vegetation Management
•Policy
Documents
•Strategy
•Procedure
•Field Reference Guide
1.3 Definitions Additional definitions added including:
Minimum Clearance Space, and
Regulated Applicable Distance
4.2 Minimum Clearance Space (MCS) Minimum Clearance Space calculations
redefined
4.2.2 Span Codes Previous span codes augmented with
more descriptive compliance
vegetation priority codes – illustrated
Figure 6
4.2.3 Hazard Trees Previous process augmented to
include the use of Lidar and Arborist
Reference G Modified Clearances Previous LBRA modified clearance
exemptions granted by ESV continue
to apply.
Additional details added for process
for exception
4
1.3 P L A N D EFI N I TI O N S
Act: Electricity Safety Act 1998.
Affected Person: an owner or occupier (including a person who is responsible for the management of
public land).
Arborist: Suitably qualified arborist as defined in Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance)
Regulations 2015, who has at least 3 years of field experience in assessing trees.
As far as practicable: means an action that which is, or was at a particular time, reasonably capable
of being done, effected or put into practice with the available means taking into account and
weighing up all relevant matters as determined by CitiPower and Powercor including:
(i) what we know, or ought reasonably to know, about:
(i) the nature of any relevant hazard or risk, and
(ii) ways of eliminating or minimising the risk, and
(ii) the degree of harm that might result from the hazard or the risk
(iii) the availability and suitability of ways to eliminate or minimise the risk
(iv) the impact on amenity, impact on the health of vegetation and cost associated with available
ways of eliminating or minimising the risk
(v) whether the impact on amenity, impact on the health of vegetation and cost associated with
available ways of eliminating or minimising the risk is disproportionate to the risk.
Bushfire Construction Areas: electric line construction areas declared and gazetted under the
Electricity Safety (Bushfire Mitigation) Regulations 2013 (as amended by the Electricity Safety
(Bushfire Mitigation) Amendment Regulations 2016).
Code: Code of Practice contained in the Schedule of the Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance)
Regulations 2015.
Consult: Means to provide an adequate opportunity to members of the public, local government
and landowners to understand the vegetation works proposed and to seek additional information
regarding the proposed works.
ELCMP: Electric Line Clearance Management Plan (Vegetation) relating to compliance with the Code
of Practice for Electric Line Clearance for 2017 - 2018.
Native Vegetation: Native vegetation means plants, trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses that would
have been endemic to its current location before European arrival. Native Vegetation excludes
plantings, regrowth , vegetation on road reserves, fire breaks and established powerline corridors.
(RAD): the distance set out by Part 3 of the Code.
Regulations: Electric Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2015 including any exemptions
granted by Energy Safe Victoria under Code of Practice Provisions clause 11.
Service Provider: a Contractor or Sub-contractor engaged through contractual arrangements with
CitiPower and Powercor.
Vegetation Assessor: a person whose qualifications, experience and ongoing training and
assessment demonstrate competency in assessing and scoping vegetation near live electrical
apparatus. This person determines cutting requirements to confirm compliance for vegetation near
live electrical apparatus.
Vegetation Management: the CitiPower and CitiPower and Powercor document hierarchy of
Vegetation Management Documents, end-to-end business processes, activities and instructional
material for implementation of the ELCMP.
Vegetation Management System (VMS): the CitiPower & Powercor structured set of data to
manage vegetation for compliance to the Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations and
corporate strategy.
For other definitions refer to the Act, Regulations and Code.
5
1.4 R E GU L A TI O N C O M PL I AN C E I N FO RM A TI O N
The purpose of this section in this ELCMP is to provide assistance to quickly cross reference and identify the
specific items as required in the Electric Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2015 Part 2 Prescribed
Provisions Section 9 & 11 Schedule 1 Code of Practice Section 10.
Item Ref Regulation Requirement ELCMP Reference

Part 2 Provision 9
3(a) The name, address and telephone number of the responsible person
1.5 Responsible Persons,
Page 11
3(b) The name, position, address and telephone number of the individual
who was responsible for the preparation of the management plan Page 11
3(c) The name, position, address and telephone number of the persons
who are responsible for carrying out the management plan Page 11
3(d) The telephone number of a person who can be contacted in an 1.5 Responsible Persons,
emergency that requires clearance of a tree from an electric line that Page 11
the responsible person is required to keep clear of trees
3(e) The objectives of the management plan 2 ELCMP Objectives,
Page 13
3(f) The location to which the management plan applies, by the inclusion
3.1.1 Powercor Network,
of a map Page 14
CitiPower Network,
Page 15
3(g) The location of areas containing trees which may need to be cut or
removed to ensure compliance with the Code and that are -
3.2 Native Vegetation
(i) native; or
Coverage, Page 16
(ii) listed in a planning scheme to be of
ecological, historical or aesthetic
Refer Reference B
significance; or
– Tree Management
(iii) trees of cultural or environmental
Plans
significance
3(h) The means which the responsible person is required to use to identify
3.4 Important Vegetation
a tree specified in 3(g)(i) (ii) or (iii) Identification Process,
Page 18
3(i) The management procedures that the responsible person is 3.6 Inspection to maintain
required to adopt to ensure compliance with the Code, which must– vegetation clear of
(i) include details of the methods to be adopted for managing trees powerlines, Page 23
and maintaining a minimum clearance space as required by the Code
(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
The procedure to be adopted if it is not practicable to comply with
3.6.1 AS 4373 compliance as
3(j)
the requirements of AS 4373 while cutting a tree in accordance with far as practicable,
the Code page 26
A description of each alternative compliance mechanism in respect Alternative Compliance
3(k)
of which the responsible person has applied or proposes to apply, Mechanisms a function
for approval under clause 31 of the Code of maintaining
vegetation clear of
powerlines, Sec. 4.1.2
6
Item Ref Regulation Requirement ELCMP Reference
The details of each approval for an alternative compliance Details alternative
3(l)
mechanism that- compliance mechanism
(i) the responsible person holds held, refer Reference G
(ii) is in effect
3(m) A description of the measures that must be used to assess the Monitoring, page 34
performance of the responsible person under the management plan
3(n) Details of the audit process that must be used to determine the Auditing, page 34
responsible person’s compliance with the Code
3(o) The qualifications and experience that the responsible person must
5 Training, page 33
require of the persons who are to carry out the inspection, cutting
or removal of trees
Notification and consultation procedures, including the form of 3.9 Notification and
3(p)
notice to be given in accordance with the Code Consultation, page 28
Reference F
3(q) Dispute resolution procedures 4.5.2 Dispute
Resolution, page 32
4 A method for determining an additional distance that allows for 3.6.2 Vegetation
cable sag and sway may provide for different additional distances to Management Policy,
be determined for different parts of a span of an electric line Reference H, page 50
11 Exemptions Table of Exemptions

Reference G - previous
ongoing LBRA
modified clearance
exemptions granted
by ESV continue to
apply.
10(7) Publication of ELCMP 4.5.1 Available
Information and
Publications page 31
7
Code of Practice Compliance information
Item Ref Code of Practice for Electric Line Clearance Requirement ELCMP Reference
1 Definitions N Noted
2 Meaning of minimum clearance space N Noted
3 A responsible person must ensure that, at all times, no part of a tree
1.5 Refer Vegetation
for which the person has clearance responsibilities is within the Policy (50) &
minimum clearance space for a span of an electric line. Vegetation Strategy
(58) for details of how
CP-PAL intend to meet
this obligation and
4 Exception to minimum clearance space for structural branches 1.5 CP-PAL has in place a
around insulated low voltage electric lines. process to assess and
manage exception
locations. Refer VM
procedure pg 165
5 Exception to minimum clearance space for small branches around1.5 CP-PAL has in place a
insulated low voltage electric lines process to assess and
manage exception
locations. Refer VM
procedure pg 165
6 Exception to minimum clearance space for structural branches 1.5 CP-PAL has in place a
around uninsulated low voltage electric lines in low bushfire risk process to assess and
areas manage exception
locations. Refer VM
procedure pg 165
7 Owner or operator of transmission line must manage trees around

2 Transmission lines are
minimum clearance space not part of this ELCMP
8 Responsible person may cut or remove hazard tree An arborist advice will
be obtained if removal
of a significant tree is
required (CitiPower
and Powercor
Vegetation
Management
Procedure 2.2) pg 121
Cutting of tree to comply with Standard Compliance with AS
9
4373 pg 26
10 Cutting or removal of specified trees must be minimised 3.4 Important Vegetation
Identification Process,
Page 18
Cutting or removing habitat for threatened fauna
11 3.6 Threatened fauna
section pg 18
Restriction on timing of cutting or removal if notification is required
3.6.1 Notification and
12
Consultation, page 28
Reference F pg 46
Restriction on urgent cutting of trees Section 4.3.2 Urgent
13
cutting and removal pg
26
Restriction on urgent removal of trees Section 4.3.2 Urgent
14
cutting and removal pg 26
8
15 Responsible person must provide notification before cutting or Vegetation
removing certain trees management
procedure 4.5
Notification of &
consultation pg 168
16 Responsible person must publish notice before cutting or removing Vegetation
certain trees management
procedure 4.5
Notification of &
consultation pg 168
17 Responsible person must consult with occupier or owner of private
5 Vegetation
property before cutting or removing certain trees management
procedure 4.5
Notification of &
consultation pg 168
Notification and record keeping requirements for urgent cutting or
3.9 Vegetation
18
removal management
procedure 4.5
Notification of &
consultation pg 168
19 Dispute resolution 4.5.2 Dispute

Resolution, page 32
20 Duty relating to the safety of cutting or removal of trees close to 3.6.2
an ORP assistance as per
electric line Vegetation
Management
Procedure pg 183
21 Duty relating to assisting to determine the allowance for cable sag ORP assistance as per
and sway Vegetation
Management
Procedure pg 183 and
policy Reference H –
Sag & sway pg 53
22 Duties relating to management procedures to minimise danger Assistance as per
Vegetation
management
Procedure pg 183
23 Additional distance that allows for cable sag and sway Sag and Sway
additional distance is
calculated in
accordance with the
policy Reference H –
Sag & sway pg 53
24 Insulated electric lines in all areas Sag & sway pg 53
25 Uninsulated low voltage electric line in a low bushfire risk area Sag & sway pg 53
26 Uninsulated high voltage electric line (other than a 66 000 volt Sag & sway pg 53
electrical line) in a low bushfire risk area
27 Uninsulated 66 000 volt electrical line in a low bushfire risk area Sag & sway pg 53
28 Uninsulated low voltage and high voltage electric lines (other than a Sag & sway pg 53
66 000 volt electrical line) in a hazardous bushfire risk area
29 Uninsulated 66 000 volt electric lines in a hazardous bushfire risk Sag & sway pg 53
area
30 Transmission lines There are no
transmission lines
covered by this ELCMP
31 Application for approval of alternative compliance mechanism Process for Alternate
9
Compliance
Mechanisms pg 176
32 Formal safety assessment of alternative compliance mechanism Process for Alternative
Compliance
Mechanisms pg 176
33 Approval of alternative compliance mechanism ESV obligation Noted
34 Amendment of approval Noted
35 Suspension or revocation of approval Noted
10
1.5 R E S P O N S I B L E P E R S O N S
Prescribed Code of Practice Provisions clause 9 (3)
Responsibility Name Title Address Contact Details
ELCMP Responsible Powercor Electricity 40 Market Street Phone: 13 22 06

Person Australia Ltd Distribution Melbourne, 3000 Email:
Business Post to: Locked Bag info@powercor.com.au
14090 MCMC Vic 8001
ELCMP preparation Matt Thorpe Head of 40 Market Street Phone: 13 22 06

Network Melbourne, 3000 Email:
Compliance Post to: Locked Bag mthorpe@powercor.com.
au
14090 MCMC Vic 8001
ELCMP Wayne Evans Vegetation 40 Market Street Phone: 13 22 06

carrying out Manager Melbourne, 3000 Email:
waevans@powercor.com.au
ELCMP Emergency Powercor Phone: 13 24 12

Contact 24 hour Power Failure WEB :
Emergency www.powercor.com.au
CitiPower Phone: 13 12 80
24 hour Failure WEB :
Emergency and www.citipower.com.au
Power
A copy of the current CitiPower and Powercor Vegetation Management ELCMP can be viewed at the CitiPower
and Powercor offices located at 40 Market Street, City of Melbourne, during normal business hours of 9:00am to
5:00pm.
1.6 ELCMP R E FE R EN C E S
o Electricity Safety Act 1998 (Vic) (The Act)
o Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2015 (Vic)
o Industry Guidelines
o CitiPower and Powercor Customer Action and Response System (CARE)
o Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth)
o Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (Vic)
o Victorian Planning Provisions and Planning Schemes
o Pruning of Amenity Trees AS4373( current version)
o Powercor Bushfire Mitigation Strategy Plan
o CitiPower and Powercor Vegetation Management Documents
• Policy
• Strategy
• Procedure
• Field Reference Guide
Figure ‘1’ describes the hierarchical structure of the CitiPower and Powercor Vegetation Management
Documents for key processes, end-to-end business procedures, activities and instructional material for
implementation of the ELCMP.
11
Figure 1 – Vegetation Management Documents
Electricity Safety (Electric Line

Electricity Safety Act 1998 (Vic)
Hierarchy of Vegetation Management Documents

Clearance) Regulations 2015
Vegetation Management Policy
Electric Line Clearance (Vegetation)

Vegetation Management Strategy Management Plans
Vegetation Management Vegetation Annual Execution Plan

Procedures (VAEP)
Conduct Conduct Verify Contractor

Execute Conduct
Vegetation Consultation for Compliance &
Vegetation Vegetation
Inspection Vegetation Determine
Action Reporting
Action Amount Payable
Work Instructions Work Instructions Work Instructions Work Instructions Work Instructions Work Instructions Work Instructions Work Instructions Work Instructions
Guidelines Guidelines Guidelines Guidelines Guidelines Guidelines Guidelines Guidelines Guidelines
The ELCMP shall be updated annually to ensure it is consistent with all relevant regulations, is relevant to the
needs of the community and considers all business drivers.
The business compliance tracking tool ensures regulatory obligations including the ELCMP is completed.
The CitiPower and Powercor ESMS 2016 (Section 02 Management Structure) provides currency of regulations.
12
2 ELCMP OBJECTIVES
Prescribed Code of Practice Provisions clause 9 (3e)
This ELCMP has been prepared to comply with the requirements of the Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance)
Regulations 2015. The objective of this ELCMP is to describe management procedures to comply with the
regulations and to achieve the vision. An annual review of all regulation changes will be conducted prior to
submission of the ELCMP each year.
2.1 V I S I O N
To minimise the risks to the community and the environment caused through the interaction of trees and
powerlines.
We will support this vision by attention to our mission and instilling the following values:
o Live safely o Make it easy for our customers

o Drive and embrace change o Be the best we can be
o Be community minded o Succeeding together
2.2 MISSION
To ensure that the vegetation minimum clearance space is maintained for the period of the cutting cycle
detailed in 3.7.
At all times these activities will be carried out with attention to:
o Minimising the risk of fire starts o Responsible Environmental Management
o Ensuring public safety o Commitment to work place safety
o Ensuring private property security o Minimising of community cost
o Ensuring continuity of supply o Consultation/Notification
o Delivery of quality service o Reduction in number of inappropriate species
o Ensuring Electrical Safety of vegetation near powerlines
The outworking of the Vision and Mission are explained in more detail in this ELCMP.
2.3 L E GA L C O N TE X T
The Electricity Safety Act 1998 (Vic) and the Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2015 (Vic)
establish a regime for the purposes of electric line clearance management, which interacts with vegetation
protection laws at a national, state and local level.
The Victorian line clearance regime provides for a system of vegetation management with clear objectives of
fire prevention and vegetation management and safety. At the same time there are a number of national,
state and local laws which seek to protect native vegetation and habitat, and manage any adverse impacts on
protected vegetation. In general terms, the Victorian legal framework gives paramount importance to the
objective of minimising the risk of fire ignition in the proximity of electricity lines. The Code and this ELCMP set
out a framework for identifying and managing environmentally significant vegetation and habitat in an
environmentally responsible manner, at the same time as achieving line clearance objectives for the purposes
of fire prevention.
Australia has a federal system of government, which means that national environmental law generally prevails
over other state laws where there is an inconsistency. At the date of this ELCMP, there is no specific exemption
in the national environmental law for fire prevention works in the form of line clearance works. This means
that line clearance works must be undertaken not only in accordance with the Code, but also with a view to
ensuring compliance with national environmental law in the form of the Environment Protection Biodiversity
and Conservation Act 1999 (Cth).
13
3 NETWORK OVERVIEW
3.1 C O M P AN Y G EO G RA PH I C A R EA S
3.1.1 Powercor Network Geographic Coverage To Which ELCMP Applies
Prescribed Code of Practice Provisions clause 9 (3f)
Powercor’s network area covers the Western side of Victoria from the New South Wales border in the North,
with some connected assets located in New South Wales, to the ocean in the South, and from the South
Australian border in the West, with some connected assets located in South Australia, to a rough alignment
west of the Hume Highway; scouting the Western Suburbs of Melbourne (excluding areas such as Sunbury,
Gisborne South, Tullamarine, east part of Sunshine and Williamstown).
Powercor manages vegetation in the vicinity of powerlines that is the responsibility under Section 84 of the Act.
Powercor is not responsible for the management of all vegetation within the geographic coverage of
Powercor’s network. Section 84 of the Act defines Powercor’s vegetation management responsibilities and the
responsibilities of Other Responsible Persons.
The Powercor geographic coverage includes Low Bushfire Risk Areas (LBRA) and Hazardous Bushfire Risk Areas
(HBRA). The Powercor Bushfire Mitigation Group will consult annually with CFA to ensure boundary
information is accurate
Figure 2a - Powercor Geographic Coverage
Table 1 - Powercor 2015 AER benchmarking
Data is not currently collected on all the vegetation details contained in the table so some estimates are used.
14
3.1.2 CitiPower Network Geographic Coverage To Which ELCMP Applies
Prescribed Code of Practice Provisions clause 9 (3f)
CitiPower’s network is bound by Port Phillip Bay, Balaclava Road and Toorak Road to the South; Warrigal Road
to the East; the Yarra River, Dundas Street and Moreland Road to the North; and the Yarra River, Maribyrnong
River and Moonee Ponds Creek to the West. The CitiPower distribution network covers 157 square kilometers
including the Melbourne CBD, the inner suburbs and involves a broad range of native and introduced tree
species.
The CitiPower Powercor Bushfire Mitigation Group will consult annually with CFA to ensure boundary
information is accurate. Note: there are no HBRA areas currently within CitiPower’s geographic area.
CitiPower manages vegetation in the vicinity of powerlines that is the responsibility under section 84, 84A, 84B,
84C and 84D of the Act. CitiPower is not responsible for the management of all vegetation within the
geographic coverage of CitiPower’s network. Section 84 of the Act defines CitiPower’s vegetation management
responsibilities and the responsibilities of Other Responsible Persons.
Figure 2b – CitiPower Geographic Coverage
Table 1 - CitiPower 2015 AER benchmarking
Data is not currently collected on all the vegetation details contained in the table so some estimates are used.
15
3.2 N A TI VE V E G E TA TI O N C O V E R A G E
Prescribed Code of Practice Provisions clause 9 (3g)
The majority of vegetation within CitiPower’s & Powercor’s network area can be classified as native to Victoria.
In addition to the locations and categories shown in Figures 3(a) & 3(b) there are significant areas of remnant
native vegetation on road corridors throughout the uncategorized areas in Figure 3(a) & 3(b).
More detailed information relating to local coverage can be found at the Victorian Government Department of
the Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) Biodiversity Interactive website at the following link:
http://mapshare2.dse.vic.gov.au/MapShare2EXT/imf.jsp?site=bim which has been overlayed onto the
CitiPower Powercor Google Earth Enterprise application.
Local coverage of nationally significant vegetation can be found using the Protected Matters Search tool at the
Australian Government Department of the Environment website at the following link:
http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/about-us/legislation/environment-protection-and-biodiversity-
conservation-act-1999/protected
CitiPower and Powercor will as far as practicable restrict cutting or removal of native vegetation to the extent
necessary for continuous compliance with Part 2 and 3 of the Code and in accordance with the outlined
clearance cycles shown in this ELCM Section 4.2.
3.3 I M PO R TA N T V E G E TA TI O N C O VE R A GE
Prescribed Code of Practice Provisions clause 9 (3g)
Important Vegetation is defined in this ELCMP as trees and vegetation (in locations) which may need to be cut
or removed to ensure compliance with the Code and that are:
(i) listed in a planning scheme to be of ecological, historical or aesthetic significance;
(ii) trees of cultural or environmental significance as defined in the Regulations (this includes trees, flora
and habitat protected under Victorian laws); or
(iii) nationally environmentally significant and listed under the Environment Protection Biodiversity and
Conservation Act 1999 (Cth).
The location of important vegetation that is identified as a result of 3.4 – Important Vegetation Identification
Process is registered in the Joint Tree Management Plans (Reference B) which is individually linked at span
level in the Vegetation Management records.
Areas of significant grassland and low lying vegetation, which may be impacted or damaged in the course of
accessing or working in road reserves, private and public land, will also be included in Vegetation
Management records as and when these areas are identified through the works process.
This important vegetation information is identified at the inspection stage prior to any cutting or removal
works and is also made available directly to the Vegetation Assessors.
16
Figure 3(a) - Powercor Victorian Vegetation Coverage Categories
Ref: Biodiversity Interactive Map DELWP internet version

Figure 3(b) - CitiPower Victorian Vegetation Coverage Categories
17
3.4 I D EN TI FI C A TI O N
O F I M PO R T AN T V E GE T A TI O N
Prescribed Code of Practice Provisions clause 9 (3h)
Purpose
This section outlines the process to be employed to ensure important vegetation located within the vicinity of
powerlines is identified and given special consideration and appropriate consultation when pruning or clearing
of vegetation is proposed.
Procedure
The CitiPower and Powercor Vegetation Management Procedure – 3. Manage Vegetation Action Sec.3.1
Compile Work Package Process Outline Step 2 environmental due diligence will be used to identify important
vegetation.
CitiPower and Powercor shall determine the location of important vegetation for special consideration by
consulting:
o Government records, including –
 The Victorian Heritage Register http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/
 The Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register https://applications.vic.gov.au/apps/achris/public/
 Department of the Environment and Primary Industries, Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988, Threatened
List https://www.environment.vic.gov.au/conserving-threatened-species/flora-and-fauna-guarantee-act-
1988
 The DEPI Biodiversity Interactive Mapping Website
https://www.environment.vic.gov.au/biodiversity/biodiversity-interactive-map
 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), List of threatened flora, List of
threatened ecological communities, List of threatened fauna and the Protected Matters Search Tool
website http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/about/epbc-act-lists#species, and
 Council records, including the relevant zoning and overlay controls in the planning scheme.
http://services.land.vic.gov.au/maps/pmo.jsp
CitiPower and Powercor has for each council a Joint Tree Management plan (Reference B), each plan may
contain a list significant vegetation supplied by council. The plans also contain a communication plan which
allows for minimum 6 monthly engagements to ensure community remains informed of CitiPower and
Powercor vegetation programs (Including possible impacts on important vegetation). Plans are amended
whenever new important vegetation sites are identified.
Council and Public Land Managers are contacted to obtain specific locations of vegetation that may require
pruning or clearing under the Regulations, that is;
(a) specified in a relevant planning scheme to be of ecological, historical, aesthetic significance; or
(b) of cultural or environmental significance as defined in the Regulations;
(c) nationally environmentally significant and listed under the Environment Protection Biodiversity and
Conservation Act 1999 (Nationally significant vegetation); or
(d) the habitat of rare or endangered species.
Pruning/clearing of these trees will only be completed after consultation with the Tree Owner in relation to the
regrowth of that vegetation to avoid and minimise any impacts on this vegetation. Consultation with local
government authorities of CitiPower and Powercor vegetation work programs is detailed in this ELCMP section
4.4.
Nationally significant vegetation will not be cleared, pruned or otherwise impacted without first deciding
whether the activity requires referral and approval from the Department of the Environment, and obtaining
any requisite approvals as detailed in this ELCMP section 3.5.
Where there is proposed pruning/clearing of a tree or vegetation that has been identified as habitat for fauna
listed as either;
(a) threatened in accordance with section 10 of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 or
(b) listed in the Threatened Invertebrate Fauna List with a conservation status in Victoria of vulnerable",
"endangered" or "critically endangered" or
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(c) listed in the Threatened Vertebrate Fauna List with a conservation status in Victoria of “vulnerable”,
“endangered” or “critically endangered”;
then pruning or clearing of the tree will be undertaken outside of the breeding season for that species. Where
it is not practicable to undertake cutting or removal of the tree outside of the breeding season for that species,
translocation of the fauna will be undertaken wherever practicable.
If there is proposed pruning/clearing of a tree or vegetation that has been identified as habitat for fauna listed
in the EPBC Act List of Threatened Fauna as "vulnerable", "endangered", "critically endangered" or "extinct in
the wild" (Nationally significant habitat), then that nationally significant habitat will not be cleared, pruned or
otherwise impacted without deciding whether the activity requires referral and approval from the Department
of the Environment, and obtaining any requisite approvals.
Significant and Important tree/vegetation located on private property will be managed utilising the same
processes as those located on public land.
Significant Trees per the above criteria will be highlighted in the Public Land Manager/CitiPower and Powercor
tree management plans.
Trees which do not meet the criteria for Significant trees in this ELCMP but have specific management
requirements agreed with the tree owner will be recorded in the concerned customer database.
All planned actions will be documented in the in the Land Manager/CitiPower and Powercor Tree Management
Plan (CitiPower and Powercor Vegetation Management Procedure – 5.1 Consultation & Negotiation Process
Outline Step 1) to ensure appropriate consideration is made to manage the MCS. If removal of a significant
tree is required CP-PAL will obtain the advice of an arborist. The CitiPower and Powercor Vegetation
Management Procedure 2.2. Conduct Vegetation Inspection Checklist Step if vegetation is hazardous will be
used and the arborist advice recorded in VMS.
It is not practicable to include a map of CitiPower and Powercor in this ELCMP with the locations of important
vegetation as the scale of the map will not accurately represent these locations or even be identifiable. The
tree management plans and concerned customer database which holds this information are made available
directly to the Vegetation Assessors to ensure that important vegetation is identified at the inspection stage
prior to any clearing works. All Significant Tree information is included in the Tree management plans listed
REFERENCE B.
3.5 P R O C E S S T O I D EN TI FY N A TI O N A L L Y P RO T EC TED V EG E TA T I O N AND H AB I T A T

Prescribed Code of Practice Provisions clause 9 (3h)
Purpose
This section outlines the process to be employed to ensure nationally protected vegetation and habitat located
within the vicinity of powerlines is given special consideration when pruning or clearing of vegetation is
proposed to ensure compliance with the Code and the EPBC Act.
Procedure
The CitiPower and Powercor Vegetation Management Procedure – 3. Manage Vegetation Action Sec.3.1
Compile Work Package Process Outline Step 2 will be used to identify nationally protected vegetation or
habitat and to determine whether the line clearance works are likely to have a significant impact on that
nationally protected matter
Fire prevention activities, such as line clearance works, only need federal environmental approval if they are
likely to have a significant impact on a nationally protected matter.
Where nationally protected vegetation or habitat is identified, the CitiPower and Powercor must determine
whether the line clearance works are likely to have a significant impact on that nationally protected matter.
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Is there a significant impact on a matter of national environmental significance?
A "significant impact" is defined by the Department of the environment (Cth) as an impact which is important,
notable, or of consequence, having regard to its context or intensity. Whether or not an action is likely to have
a significant impact depends upon the sensitivity, value, and quality of the environment which is impacted, and
upon the intensity, duration, magnitude and geographic extent of the impacts. In determining the nature and
magnitude of an action's impacts, regard should be had to:
o the sensitivity of the environment which will be impacted;
o the timing, duration and frequency of the action and its impacts;
o all on-site and off-site impacts and all direct and indirect impacts;
o the total impact which can be attributed to the action over the geographic area, and over time;
o existing levels of impact from other sources, and
o the degree of confidence with which the impacts of the action are known and understood.
Further guidance on assessing whether an activity is likely to have significant impacts is available in the
Significant Impact Guidelines 1.1. It is available at:
www.environment.gov.au/epbc/publications/nes-guidelines.html
The general guidance provided by the Department of the Environment suggests that most fire prevention
activities such as routine maintenance of fence lines, services and utilities, and clearing of a defendable space
around a rural asset in accordance with state/territory requirements are unlikely to require approval by the
federal government (see Bushfire Management and National Environmental Law
http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/bushfire-management-and-national-environment-law).
However whether the proposed line clearance works will have a significant impact on a nationally protected
matter requires CitiPower and Powercor to consider the particular environment which is to be impacted, and
the intensity, duration, magnitude and geographic extent of the impacts on a case by case basis as detailed in
Reference E.
If the line clearance works are likely to have a significant impact on a nationally protected matter, then
CitiPower and Powercor must submit a referral to the Department of the Environment for consideration. If
CitiPower and Powercor is unsure whether to refer a proposed activity, it should email the department at
compliance@environment.gov.au or call 1800 110 395. Reference D – EPBC ACT REFERRAL PROCESS contains
further information about how to refer a matter to the Department of the Environment and the referral
process.
The Minister will consider the referral and decide whether the action is likely to have a significant impact on a
matter of national environmental significance, and consequently whether it is or is not a controlled action. If
the Minister decides that the activity is a controlled action, then the action will be subject to the assessment
and approval process under the EPBC Act.
REFERENCE E - ASSESSMENT AND APPROVAL PROCESS FOR CONTROLLED ACTIONS contains further information
regarding assessment and approval of controlled actions.
Risks of non-compliance with this procedure: The EPBC Act creates criminal offences for the taking of actions
which impact significantly on matters of national environmental significance without prior approval. Failure to
comply with this procedure could result in prosecution and the imposition of criminal penalties on the
Vegetation Assessor, Service Provider, and CitiPower and Powercor.
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21
Figure 4 - Summary of EPBC Act
4 VEGETATION MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW
4.1 S T R A TE G Y O U T L I N E
CitiPower and Powercor develop and implement a single strategy that covers both networks to maintain
appropriate clearance between vegetation and overhead electricity assets. To do so requires an annual
program to be strategically directed, carefully planned and well executed vegetation management
activities to be undertaken.
Figure 5 – Annual Program Strategic Outline
2017 Vegetation Program 2018 Vegetation Program

Task 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr 1st Qtr 2nd Qtr
Fire Season
PAL HBRA Lidar ~283,000 spans, 100% HBRA inspection annually.
Inspection
LBRA ~114,000 spans.
(CP-PAL 27,000)
Reliability and Safety
Hazard Tree ~6,000
2017 HBRA ~46,000 spans. Bushfire safety 2018 HBRA ~46,000 spans. Bushfire safety
Cutting
LBRA ~27,000 spans.
Quality management . Consistant quality outcomes
Council Engagement. Reliability and Safety

Customer Engagement. ~5,000 spans of tree removals Reliability and Safety - Reducing program costs through tree population
Herbicide and Slashing Herbicide and Slashing ~5,000

Reducing program costs through tree spans. Reducing program costs
Other Programs population reductions through tree population reductions
Tree Growth Regulator ~100

spans. Reducing program costs Via
increased cycle periods.
4.2 INSPECTION
Prescribed Code of Practice Provisions clause 9 (3i(i))
4.2.1 Inspection Cycle

The CitiPower and Powercor Vegetation Management Procedure – 2. Vegetation Inspection will be used to
conduct inspections in a timely and financially sustainable manner.
Powercor’s LBRA shall be inspected on a cycle not exceeding 3 years. CitiPower shall be inspected on a cycle
not exceeding 2 years.
Powercor have added URBAN & RURAL areas in addition to LBRA & HBRA classifications, e.g. the Murray Valley
irrigation area in the Shepparton district. This allows for differentiation between urban & rural LBRA for
potential different work scheduling.
Note: There are no HBRA currently within CitiPower’s geographic area.
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CitiPower and Powercor’s HBRA shall have program of annual inspections utilised to verify HBRA summer
preparedness. All CitiPower and Powercor HBRA spans will be inspected within the calendar year prior to fire
season declaration.
CitiPower and Powercor’s scheduled cyclic inspection program is supplemented by additional inspections that
may be undertaken from time to time including audits undertaken by Powercor or ESV and reports from the
public, landowners, Local Government or other Government agencies.
4.2.2 Inspection to Maintain Vegetation Clear of Powerlines

Prescribed Code of Practice Provisions clause 9 (3i(ii)) & (4)
Purpose
This section outlines processes to be used to conduct either Lidar or ground based inspection.
Procedure
The CitiPower and Powercor Vegetation Management Procedure – 2. Vegetation Inspection Process Outlines:
Lidar vegetation inspections & Ground-based vegetation inspections will be used to select the method of
maintaining the MCS. As part of the cyclic program, an inspection of each site is conducted by CitiPower and
Powercor to gather information to determine the most effective method of maintaining the vegetation clear of
powerlines.
The CitiPower and Powercor Vegetation Management Documents – the Policy (Reference H) specifies the MCS
definition that will be used for determining an additional distance that allows for cable sag and sway for the
purpose of determining a minimum clearance space. The method for determining the additional distance for
sag and sway is based on the characteristics of the conductor such as the voltage, stranding, conductor
material, design temperature and the maximum side swing of the conductor.
Figure 6 Vegetation buffer zone Minimum Clearance Spaces

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Lidar is the primary tool used for all vegetation inspections. Lidar is a remote sensing method that uses light in
the form of a pulsed laser to measure distances between conductor and tree. The Lidar captured information is
then applied using the MCS definition in the Policy (Reference H) in summary span length, conductor type and
temperature rating to confirm the required MCS for each span. Additional distance is added to the MCS to
cater for additional years of regrowth.
Where the use of ground inspection is required vegetation clearance charts are provided as a guide to
Vegetation Assessors in Reference J, the CitiPower and Powercor Vegetation Management Procedure 8.3.
The actual vegetation clearing method is determined by CitiPower and Powercor management using the
information gathered.
(Prescribed Code of Practice Provisions clause 9 (3l))

The information gathered during these inspections, forms the basis of CitiPower and Powercor’s plan of
action and allows:
o appropriate planning and scheduling
o identification and quantification of equipment and accredited personnel required
o notification under the Code
In making these long term evaluations and before deciding on the most appropriate method, due
consideration is given to the site’s specifics, including the following:
o the significance as obtained per this ELCMP section 3.4 – Important Vegetation Identification Process.
o relocating or undergrounding the powerline to a location that removes the need to undertake any
vegetation clearing
o alternative compliance mechanisms such as
 retrofitting insulation to bare conductors
 replacing bare conductors with insulated cable, or
 offsetting the conductors to reduce the extent of clearing works required
o the significance and public value of the site’s aesthetics

o the impact on the tree’s amenity and utility value if subjected to pruning versus removal
o the sites suitability to regenerate with more appropriate species as replacement vegetation
o opportunity to replace with a more suitable species over time
o the environmental impact of proposed works
o impact on grasses, low-lying understorey vegetation affected by accessing and undertaking clearance
works
o the extent to which pruning in accordance with AS4373 is practicable
o Past pruning practice
o Hedging options
o Pruning for habitat creation
o Removal if tree cannot be effectively managed by pruning techniques
o Deferral - negotiate with Affected Persons where vegetation action is to be postponed outside breeding
season or involves the engagement of specialists for relocation of fauna species
Vegetation which is assigned for consideration of alternatives, including where appropriate vegetation covered
by tree management plans, will be treated as disputed work and managed as necessary under the Code.
In the event a landowner or member of the public request CitiPower and Powercor to implement works in
excess of those determined as most appropriate, the additional costs are generally borne by the individual
making the request with an allowance for any avoided maintenance costs.
Inspection includes unsuitable species identification - CitiPower and Powercor provides information to
Responsible Persons and the public on the planting and the maintenance of vegetation near powerlines by
making available free of charge such publications as Planting Trees near Powerlines – A Guide for Home
Gardens and Rural Properties. Planting of inappropriate species near powerlines significantly adds to the cost
of complying with the Code and increases the exposure of future contact between vegetation and powerlines.
CitiPower and Powercor actively promotes responsible planting strategies with land owners, land managers
and Councils to ensure that only appropriate species are planted near powerlines.
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Where inappropriate species are planted near or under powerlines, negotiations will be carried out with the
Affected Person and Councils to remove any vegetation which may at some time in the future enter the MCS.
Where agreement cannot be reached with council on management of the planted unsuitable species CitiPower
and Powercor may refer to ESV for further consideration.
During inspections CitiPower and Powercor also monitor compliance to the requirement that an occupier of
land is responsible for the keeping of the whole or any part of a tree situated on the land clear of a low voltage
electric line which solely services that land to ensure land owners and occupiers are aware of their
responsibilities. These are managed per the requirements of the CitiPower and Powercor Bushfire Mitigation
Plan.
Detailed description of the CitiPower and Powercor inspection procedure is included in Reference J, the
CitiPower and Powercor Vegetation Management Procedure 2. Vegetation Inspection.
4.2.3 Inspection for Hazard Trees
The Hazard Trees will be managed by a process, using the Field Reference Guide Section 16.1, based on clause
8 of the Code. The Hazard Space is inspected as part of a specific hazard tree inspection program. Potential
hazards are identified and evaluated at this time. Hazardous vegetation typically could be;
o Trees with major cavities that the arborist considers compromises tree or branch structural
integrity/safety
o Trees with structurally defective bifurcated stems
o Hung up trees or limbs
o Trees with decay compromising structural integrity
o Dead trees
o Trees where physical damage or environmental events have destabilised the tree.
Lidar will identify where trees are capable of falling onto powerlines in HBRA. These spans will then be targeted
for inspection by a Certificate 4 Arborist based on a cycle set by the previous hazard inspection. The CitiPower
and Powercor Vegetation Management Procedure – 2. Manage Vegetation Inspection Lidar Task Detail Hazard
Trees will be used identify spans where vegetation could fall onto powerlines, these spans will then be
programmed for a hazard inspection by an Arborist. For detail of inspections in BCA areas refer Procedure – 2.
Manage Vegetation Inspection Lidar Task Detail Hazard Trees. Any hazards identified with the potential to likely
contact the line within the next 3 years are scheduled for cutting.
Hazardous vegetation will be referred to Energy Safe Victoria, for direction, where agreement to remove
cannot be reached with the Affected Person by the process detailed in this ELCMP Section 4.4.2.
4.3 C UTTING
Prescribed Code of Practice Provisions clause 9 (3i(i))
Purpose
This purpose of this section is to define the process to be employed to maintain vegetation clear of powerlines.
CitiPower and Powercor intends to manage exceptions in accordance with the Electricity Safety (Electric Line
Clearance) Regulations 2015 and this plan. Details of the CitiPower and Powercor process for exceptions to
MCS for structural and small branches around insulated low voltage lines in all areas and structural branches
around uninsulated low voltage lines in LBRA is included in Reference J Procedure Section 5.1.
Procedure
The CitiPower and Powercor Vegetation Management Procedure – 3. Manage Vegetation Action will be used to
establish and maintain the MCS.
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4.3.1 Cutting To Maintain Vegetation Clear of Powerlines
CitiPower and Powercor shall determine the Cutting Cycle at each locality based on the distance determined by
inspection (reference H CitiPower and Powercor Policy - vegetation buffer zone minimum clearance spaces),
clearances achieved and consultation with owners/occupiers as per clause 17 of the Code. The achievement of
the targeted pruning cycles may be varied depending on the outcome of these factors.
CitiPower and Powercor aims to maintain a 3 year cyclic cutting program, with out of cycle cutting to maintain
compliance at locations where a reduced clearance is required as determined by the inspection process. As a
minimum CitiPower and Powercor will take reasonable steps to maintain the MCS. CitiPower and Powercor’s
aim is to cut 1 year prior to vegetation entering the vegetation buffer space (reference H CitiPower and
CitiPower and Powercor Policy - vegetation buffer space).
When a span is cleared an addition distance is trimmed to achieve the planned cutting cycle & considers
species and likely vigor using the CitiPower and Powercor Vegetation Field Reference Guide for reference.
The application of appropriate pruning standards may over-ride simplistic calculated re-growth measurements.
In practice, clearance distances are a combined total of the Regulations MCS, including individually calculated
sag & sway based on actual conductor type and span length with a regrowth allowance, then trimming to
growth points. This is recorded in the database and the MCS is clearly communicated in the Work Packages
allocated and actioned by the field cutting crews.
4.3.2 Urgent Cutting/Removal
Urgent cutting or removal can be undertaken in the following circumstances –
o As a result of encroachment or growth that was not anticipated in the management plan
o As a result of a tree falling or becoming damaged and entering the MCS
o If an arborist’s assessment confirms the imminent likelihood of contact with electrical assets
o Where vegetation within the MCS exists during the fire danger period declared under the Country Fire
Authority Act 1958

o Cutting will be in accordance with clause 13.2 of the Code (‘must not remove or cut trees further than 1
meter from the minimum clearance space around the electric line’)
The MCS in accordance with clause 13.2 of the Code for urgent cutting is communicated in the Work Package
and actioned by cutting crews.
Affected person/s shall be notified as soon as practical after urgent pruning has been undertaken using the
Notification Letter – Reference A, records of pruning are maintained in the vegetation management
database. This will be carried out in accordance with section 18 of Schedule 1 of the Code.
Urgent cutting is actioned in accordance with the CitiPower and Powercor Vegetation Management Policy -
Reference H which provides for timely rectification. The CitiPower and Powercor Vegetation Management
Procedure 5. Affected Persons – 5.1 Consultation and Negotiation Work Instruction Process Outline Step 2, pg
168170, will be used to ensure notification occurs as soon as practical following urgent cutting or removal.
4.3.3 Compliance to AS4373 as far as practicable

Prescribed Code of Practice Provisions clause 9 (3j)
This process applies to determine the most appropriate method of actioning the vegetation. As far as
practicable CitiPower and Powercor will prune in accordance with the current version of AS4373 (Pruning of
Amenity Trees). Consultation based on the evaluation and decision making process outlined in CitiPower and
Powercor Vegetation Management Procedure 5. Affected Persons – 5.1 Consultation and Negotiation Work
Instruction Process Outline flowchart will be carried out where the Standards principles cannot be utilised, for
example, in some instances, pruning in accordance with AS4373 may limit the ability to achieve clearance
requirements or could lead to excessive pruning. Personnel are made aware of the organization definition of
“as far as practicable” and how this would apply via our Field Reference Guide.
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4.4 A S S I S T AN C E TO R E S P O N S I B L E P E RS O N S
Purpose
This section outlines the process to be employed to ensure that CitiPower and Powercor is able to provide
assistance to Other Responsible Persons in carrying out their duties to vegetation near powerlines.
Procedure
The CitiPower and Powercor Vegetation Management Procedure – 5. Affected Persons Consultation will be
used to assist Responsible persons.
CitiPower and Powercor shall inspect, record and report on its own powerlines in accordance with the
procedures set out in this ELCMP and other CitiPower and Powercor documents. CitiPower and Powercor's
vegetation work programs are communicated to Local Government Authorities, to ensure that tree clearing
activities are coordinated and rationalised as detailed in Joint Tree Management Plans (Reference B).
4.4.1 General Assistance
CitiPower and Powercor are able to assist any Other Responsible Person with any queries regarding the
management of vegetation clearances in close proximity to their powerlines. In conjunction with the
established CitiPower and Powercor vegetation management programs, other long term strategies to minimise
the risk to the safe operation of electric lines due to vegetation that is likely to grow into or encroach on the
MCS include;
Communications and Direct Assistance - The outworking of a communication program with Councils and Other
Responsible Persons by letter or face to face meetings to discuss local or specific issues relating to compliance
with the CitiPower and Powercor ELCMP. On request, CitiPower and Powercor assist Responsible Persons to
safely prune or clear vegetation near powerlines by:
o providing specialist advice on safe work practices

o de-energising lines
o suppressing the auto reclose feature on HV circuits
o providing a list of authorised local vegetation service providers
o explaining methods to identify where cutting and removal of trees is required
o offering to undertake work on a commercial basis if requested
implementing an agreement for an ORP to work under the control of CitiPower and Powercor (working to
VESI SAD)
On request, CitiPower and Powercor will assist councils to determine an additional distance for sag and sway.
4.4.2 ORP Declared Area Non-Compliances
As part of CitiPower and Powercor’s normal inspection and audit programs, vegetation that is not compliant to
Code clearance that is the responsibility of Other Responsible Persons is identified listing all non-compliant
locations, including vegetation that is considered to be a priority or requires urgent clearing. Consideration will
be given to the immediate risk to public safety, fire ignition, damage to CitiPower and Powercor’s assets and
the reliability of the electrical network. Other Responsible Persons are requested to action these locations
within the timeframes set out in CitiPower and Powercor’s Vegetation Management Procedure.
CitiPower and Powercor’s Vegetation Management Procedure – 6. Manage ORP Notification of Code Non-
Compliance will be used notify Declared Area and Other Responsible persons of infringing vegetation and
advise Energy Safe Victoria.
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In the interest of CitiPower and Powercor’s integrity of supply, follow up random audits are conducted to
ensure that the appropriate action has been taken in accordance with the CitiPower and Powercor ELCMP. If
the identified vegetation is found to have not been cleared within the required timeframes, CitiPower and
CitiPower and Powercor may seek direction from Energy Safe Victoria to clearing this vegetation and forward
appropriate costs to the Responsible Person (refer to CitiPower and Powercor’s Vegetation Management
Procedure 6. Manage ORP Code Non-Compliance Process Flow Step 1).
CitiPower and Powercor in consultation with ESV provides a standardised ORP report that may include;
o Total number of outages
o Total number of outage attributed to vegetation
o Determine outage numbers by ORP private and CitiPower and Powercor
o Determine outage numbers by compliant vs. non-compliant vegetation
o Total number of spans inspected for the reporting period
o Total number of non-vegetated spans identified for the reporting period
o Total number of compliant spans identified for the reporting period
o Total number of non-compliant spans identified for the reporting period (ORP, DB, LV, private)
o Number of trees of interest, hazard trees, unsuitable species
4.5 N O TI FI C A TI O N AN D C O N S U L T ATI O N
Prescribed Code of Practice Provisions clause 9 (3p)
Private Property
Purpose
This section outlines the process to be employed by CitiPower and Powercor to notify persons affected by
pruning or clearing activities.
Procedure
The CitiPower and Powercor Vegetation Management Procedure 5. Conduct Affected Persons Consultation –
5.1 Consultation and Negotiation Work Instruction Process Outline flowchart will be used to ensure
consultation occurs with the correct affected persons & the general public.
CitiPower and Powercor must decide how to maintain clearance between powerlines and vegetation so that
the MCS remains free of vegetation in accordance with this ELCMP section 4.2. However, this does not
preclude Affected Persons from negotiating conditions under which other solutions may be used. The Affected
Persons at each location shall be determined by the CitiPower and Powercor by the process detailed in 3.8.1.
Consultation shall be carried out for the cutting or removal of all trees, consultation will be conducted in
accordance with clause 17 of the Code of practice as follows:
A minimum of 14 days and not more than 60 days’ notice, in writing or by publication in a newspaper
circulating generally in the area, will be given to all Affected Persons prior to works commencing. Should
cutting not occur within the requested notification period renotification will occur.
Where the tree intended for pruning/clearing is a tree of cultural significance or national, state or local
environmental significance, CitiPower and Powercor will notify the affected person/s of details of the impact of
the cutting or removal of the tree and actions taken to minimise the impact.
Each of these situations will be subject to specific negotiation and notice following negotiation will be in writing
and will be tailored to suit the individual situation and meet the regulatory requirements.
If emergency clearing is undertaken, the responsible person or landowner shall be notified as soon as
practicable after the event in accordance with clause 18 of the Code. Copy of a typical notification notice is
shown in Reference A – CITIPOWER AND POWERCOR CALLING CARD. Detailed description on CitiPower and
Powercor notification requirements is included in Reference F.
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Managers of Public Land
Purpose
This section outlines the process that will be utilised by CitiPower and Powercor to inform Managers of Public
Land situated in urban areas of pending tree clearing works where CitiPower and Powercor are responsible for
the maintenance of the powerline MCS.
CitiPower and Powercor seeks to engage Public Land Managers who are responsible for management of tree
assets, to identify areas or trees which warrant joint development of long term management plans. The
procedure will enable Public Land Managers to actively participate in The Selection of the Method of
Maintaining the MCS in this ELCMP Section 4.2.1.
Procedure
CitiPower and Powercor and Public Land Manager will in consultation decide how to maintain the clearance
between powerlines and vegetation so that the MCS remains free of vegetation.
The consultation will include;

o When CitiPower and Powercor plan to action trees
o The extent to which clearing will be conducted
o Identification of vegetation or habitat of cultural or national, state or local environmental significance
o Actions
 CitiPower and Powercor
 Public Land Manager
o What options are available
o Methods of community engagement
o Who is the responsible person for plan approval
The proposed outcome of this consultation is for a plan to be developed for use by both the Land Manager and
CitiPower and Powercor when conducting line clearance works on vegetation covered in the agreed plan.
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Figure 7: Notification and Consultation Public Land Managers
Engage Council through current meeting structures
Discuss:
 What is required by the regulations;
 The effect on the managers tree assets
 When the tree clearing needs to occur
 Process for cooperation between Powercor and Public Land
Manager
Initial Engagement
 Agreement on Public Land Managers involvement

 Identify areas subject to joint plan
 Timeline for actions
 Identify Authorised Person
No Plan Required
Plan Required
Tree Management Plan

Conduct works in accordance with current
 Location Details
processes
 Detail actions per locality
 Trimming
 Removal
 Exemption
 Technical Alternative
 Replacement Planting
 Community Consultation
 Timelines for Action
Sign Off
 General Manager
 Council
 Vegetation Manager
Deploy Plan
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4.5.1 Available Information and Publications
Prescribed Code of Practice Provisions clause 10(7)
CitiPower and Powercor provide information and advice regarding tree owner's rights and responsibilities as
well as answer general enquiries. Customers can call CitiPower or Powercor on its free call number below.
A copy of the current CitiPower and Powercor ELCMP other publications and brochures containing
information relating to vegetation and industry regulations are also made available. These include;
o Planting Trees near Power Lines - a guide for Home gardens and Rural Properties,
o Private Overhead Electric Lines (Understanding your responsibilities)
o Powerlines and Your Property and "No Go Zone" brochures
The ELCMP and general advice is publicly available on the CitiPower and Powercor websites.
https://www.powercor.com.au/keeping-you-safe/bushfire-mitigation/vegetation-management/
https://www.citipower.com.au/keeping-you-safe/bushfire-mitigation/vegetation-management/
General Enquires 13 22 06
24 hours
www.powercor.com.au
General Enquires 1300 301 101

24 hours
www.citipower.com.au
Individual Land Manager Powercor Tree Management Plans are listed in Reference B. Tree Management
Plans will be reviewed jointly by Council and Powercor 3 yearly.
Copies of the current exemptions and approved current ELCMP are to be forwarded to CP-PAL Marketing and
Communications Adviser at, SVincenc@powercor.com.au for inclusion under the above link/s as pdf
copies.
In addition the plan can be accessed via CP-PAL head office at 40 Market Street via the reception/security
desk.
Detailed description of Powercor notification requirements is included in Reference F.
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4.5.2 Dispute Resolution
Prescribed Code of Practice Provisions clause 9 (3q)
CitiPower and Powercor will provide suitable contact details including; name, position and telephone number
on individual notices provided to all Affected Persons. This is expected to be the first point of reference if the
Affected Person feels the need to follow up on an issue or concern. If the Affected Person does not have these
contact details or is unable to contact the person nominated, they may contact CitiPower or Powercor as
nominated in 1.5 - Responsible Persons to obtain the appropriate first level of contact to address their concern
and/or resolve the dispute.
Where a dispute cannot be settled the Vegetation Assessor (VA) the matter shall be referred to the Vegetation
Manager.
Reference to Arboreal Advisers - While all Vegetation Assessors have had training in tree identification, pruning
techniques and tree physiology some special situations may require greater expertise. Advice may be sought
from an arborist where the dispute requires an expert third party opinion on a matter relating to the tree or
trees in question. Powercor refers to a number of expert arborists who are widely respected in academia and
industry.
If intervention by the Vegetation Manager does not resolve the dispute, the land owner or occupier may
choose to refer the case to Energy Safe Victoria or The Energy and Water Ombudsman, as appropriate, to assist
resolve the matter. If the non-completion of the disputed work presents an immediate fire or safety risk,
CitiPower and Powercor may be obliged under Clause 14 of the Code, in accordance with Clause 13.2, to enter
the property and complete the work.
Figure 8:
If the landowner or occupier has any concerns with CitiPower and Powercor vegetation management issues can
be escalated by this dispute resolution process.
32
5 TRAINING
Prescribed Code of Practice Provisions clause 9 (o)
The qualifications, training and experience of all CitiPower and Powercor employees and contractors
undertaking vegetation management activities shall be appropriate for the task they are to perform.
Training requirements are agreed in the joint VESI and are documented in the VESI Vegetation Management
Guideline published at www.vesi.com.au. Vegetation Workers are “authorised persons” as referred to in the
Electricity Safety (Installation) Regulations 2009 r.318 & r.319.
In addition to the VESI requirements Powercor require:
 Vegetation Workers who will be classified as Ground Crew will require a Certificate II in ESI – Powerline
Vegetation Control. The following table outlines the Units of Competency required to be undertaken for
the Vegetation Ground Crew role. All Mandatory (M) units of competency shall be completed to
undertake the role. Other units of Competence may be required to fulfil the role and the task being
undertaken.
Legend
Ground Crew
Qualification /
M - Mandatory Competency
Standard Unit
A - Additional - If worker requires this training for the works being performed
(CSU) number
Qualification
Certificate II in ESI - Powerline Vegetation Control UET20312 M
Certificate II Powerline Vegetation Control – Core Competency Standard Units
Apply Occupational Health Safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace UEENEEE101A M
Comply with sustainability, environmental and incidental response policies and
UETTDREL13A M
procedures
Working safely near live electrical apparatus as a non-electrical worker UETTDREL14A M

Operate and maintain chainsaws AHCARB205A M
Plan the removal of vegetation up to vegetation exclusion zone near live electrical
UETTDRVC23A M
apparatus
Monitor safety compliance of vegetation control work in an ESI environment UETTDRVC27A M
Certificate II Powerline Vegetation Control – Elective Competency Standard Units
Operate specialist equipment at ground level near live electrical apparatus UETTDRVC31A M
Fell small trees AHCARB202A M
Apply chemicals under supervision AHCCHM201A M
Operate machinery and equipment AHCMOM304A M
Operate a mobile chipper/mulcher FPIHAR2206B A
 Workers classified as Ground Crew to be trained annually in Safe Approach Distances – Vegetation Work.
 All Vegetation workers to be trained in Maintain safety at an incident scene (PUAOHS0002B)
Training requirements are confirmed as meeting the agreed industry and CitiPower and Powercor standards
prior to a Vegetation worker commencing work on the Network and in system audits. Prior to a Vegetation
worker commencing work the employer submits evidence of all training requirements and this is verified.
System Audits are undertaken to verify that Vegetation workers training records are being maintained and
are current. Any person without appropriate training will be removed from site as detailed in Powercor ESMS
2016.
33
CitiPower and Powercor will engage individuals as “under supervision” to enable them to be assessed as
competent to perform a given task or while training is being completed. Individuals will attend all training
applicable for the role and be deemed competent by a Training Provider. Evidence to demonstrate
competence, including Statement of Attainment, Certificate of Completion, will be provided to Powercor and
when all valid evidence is provided the “under supervision” will be removed.
Annual training includes refresher training for the Vegetation Reference Guide for compliance with the
Regulations and this ELCMP as far as practical. The Vegetation Reference Guide contains detailed information
on Sag and Sway calculations including Sag and Sway tables to enable field workers to accurately and
consistently determine and apply the minimum clearance space.
6 ELCMP PERFORMANCE MONITORING AND AUDITING

Prescribed Code of Practice Provisions clause 9 (3m) & (3n)
ELCMP performance is assessed by the CitiPower and Powercor Vegetation Management Strategy - Reference I
using leading indicators to provide advance visibility of vegetation exposure levels and lagging indicators to
provide visibility of vegetation caused impacts.
The Manager Network Compliance is responsible for comprehensive auditing of the vegetation management
process including compliance to the requirements of this ELCMP. CitiPower and Powercor have identified the
key risks associated with the delivery of the Vegetation Management service and their associated control
measures. Using this information an annual audit schedule has been created; the CitiPower and Powercor
Vegetation Management Strategy – Reference I section 6.3 provides details of audit sample sizes and how they
have been established and the CitiPower and Powercor Vegetation Management Procedure - 4.Verify
Contractor Compliance and 8.2.Quality Review Schedule will be used.
Audits associated with, but not limited to, OH&S Systems, Environmental Management Systems, Quality
Control and Traffic Management Procedures, are conducted. These are further supported by field verification
and compliance monitoring audits. Including pruning as far as practicable in accordance with the current
version of AS4373.
Audits are conducted by personnel who have suitable audit training and background. External specialist
resources, which are experienced and have appropriate expertise in the relevant field, may be engaged to
assist. An annual review involving the service provider and CitiPower Powercor senior management is also
conducted.
The audit schedule is reviewed annually to address any changes in business requirements, concerns from
previous years, and the Service Providers performance history.
There are broadly four different types of audits within the schedule, relating to;
o Health and Safety – Safe work methods (e.g. General work methods, working near powerlines and tree
clearing methods), equipment vehicles and plant, inductions, training and authorisation, traffic
management.
o Compliance – General inspection and cutting compliance with programs, hazardous trees, stakeholder and
defect management.
o Procedure/Work Instruction – Policies, work instructions, procedures, customer notification, data
management and accuracy, reporting and documentation.
o Environmental – Important or significant vegetation, chemicals, weeds, noise, pruning technique and
quality.
Audits are scheduled across all levels of the company. The audit process considers actual performance and
outputs and then compares them against planned performance and expected outputs. Where a variation
occurs the item is noted and followed through to ensure corrective actions are taken and improvement
opportunities are factored into plans to enhance future performance.
CitiPower and Powercor undertake regular performance and compliance monitoring of the Service Provider
engaged to undertake field works. Service contracts include Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and
performance measures as described below.
34
Key CitiPower and Powercor performance measures include:
Performance Measures
Safety Audit Compliance
Customer Services Customer Satisfaction Levels
Program On Time delivery
Data Delivery and accuracy
Cutting Audit Vegetation Works
- minimum 10% sample audit
- BCA areas 100% MCS cutting
Service Provider performance against the performance measures is reviewed monthly at operational meetings
with key personnel including representatives from CitiPower and Powercor Vegetation, Bushfire Mitigation,
Asset Management and Network Compliance as required.
The CitiPower and Powercor Vegetation Management Procedure – 7.1. Compile Vegetation Reports Work
Instruction will be used to provide reports per the conditions of any Energy Safe Victoria exemption and the
performance outcomes of this ELCMP. The current information reported in quarterly reports is included in
Reference C.
35
36
REFERENCE A
Vegetation Work Calling Card
37
REFERENCE B
Tree Management Plans
Powercor
Council/ Establishment Revision Council/ Establishment Revision

Status Status
Shire Year Year Shire Year Year
Campaspe
Brimbank Complete Complete
2014 2017 Shire 2014 2017
Central
Hobsons Bay Complete Goldfields Complete
2014 2017 Shire 2014 2017
Macedon
Complete Delatite Shire Complete
Ranges 2014 2017 2014 2017
Gannawarra
Maribyrnong Complete Complete
2014 2017 Shire 2014 2017
Greater
Melton Complete Complete
2014 2017 Bendigo City 2014 2017
Greater
Mitchell
Complete Shepparton Complete
Shire
2014 2017 City 2014 2017
Moonee
Complete Loddon Shire Complete
Valley 2014 2017 2014 2017
Mount
Mildura Rural
Alexander Complete Complete
City
Shire 2014 2017 2014 2017
Wyndham
Complete Moira Shire Complete
City Council
2014 2017 2014 2017
Borough of Swan Hill

Complete Complete
Queenscliffe Rural City
2014 2017 2014 2017
City of
Ararat Rural
Greater Complete Complete
City
Geelong 2014 2017 2014 2017
Colac Otway
Complete Ballarat City Complete
Shire
2014 2017 2014 2017
Golden
Complete Hepburn Shire Complete
Plains Shire
2014 2017 2014 2017
Surfcoast Hindmarsh
Complete Complete
Shire 2014 2017 Shire 2014 2017
Corangamite Horsham
Complete Complete
Shire 2014 2017 Rural City 2014 2017
Moorabool
Glenelg Shire Complete Complete
2014 2017 Shire 2014 2017
Northern
Moyne Shire Complete Grampians Complete
2014 2017 Shire 2014 2017
Warrnambool
Complete Pyrenees Shire Complete
Shire 2014 2017 2014 2017
Southern West
Grampians Complete Wimmera Complete
Shire 2014 2017 Shire 2014 2017
Yarriambiack
Buloke Shire Complete Complete
2014 2017 Shire 2014 2017
38
CitiPower
Establishment Year
City Status Revision Year
(Planned)
Boroondara City Council DRAFT 2014 2017
City of Glen Eira DRAFT 2014 2017
City of Melbourne DRAFT 2014 2017
City of Port Phillip DRAFT 2014 2017
City of Stonnington DRAFT 2014 2017
City of Yarra DRAFT 2014 2017
Darebin City Council DRAFT 2014 2017
Moreland City Council DRAFT 2014 2017

Whitehorse City Council DRAFT 2014 2017
39
REFERENCE C
ESV Reporting
Powercor
QUARTERLY REPORT
ITEM CLASS INCIDENT DEFINITION Mar-12 Jun-12 Sep-12 Dec-12 Mar-13 Jun-13 Sep-13 Dec-13 Mar-14 Jun-14 Sep-14 Dec-14 Mar-15 Jun-15 Sep-15 Dec-15 Mar-16
Vegetation contact a) Vegetation a) Number of reports of vegetation related faults that is MEC
(tree/branch) responsibility in LBRA
causing an outage in 10 2 5 10 9 2 9 9 2 10 3 4 4 1 1 1 0
LBRA Excludes windborne vegetation (loose debris) and accidental
contact by tree
b) Number contractors.
of reports of vegetation related faults that is not
MEC responsibility in LBRA
10 0 1 2 3 1 1 3 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 0
Excludes windborne vegetation (loose debris) and accidental
b) Vegetation contact by tree
a) Number contractors.
of reports of vegetation related faults that is MEC
(tree/branch) responsibility in HBRA
causing an outage in 11 13 11 8 10 6 18 6 12 7 10 7 12 3 2 1 0
HBRA Excludes windborne vegetation (loose debris) and accidental
contact by tree
b) Number contractors.
of reports of vegetation related faults that is not
MEC responsibility in HBRA
0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Excludes windborne vegetation (loose debris) and accidental
c) Vegetation contact by tree
a) Number contractors.
of reports of vegetation that is MEC responsibility
(tree/branch) requiring urgent cutting, removal or pruning in LBRA
requiring urgent 7 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
pruning in LBRA Excludes windborne vegetation (loose debris) and accidental
contact
b) by tree
Number contractors.
of reports of vegetation that is not MEC
responsibility requiring urgent cutting, removal or pruning in
LBRA 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
d) Vegetation Excludes
a) Numberwindborne
of reportsvegetation (loose
of vegetation thatdebris)
is MEC andresponsibility
accidental
(tree/branch) requiring urgent cutting, removal or pruning in HBRA
requiring urgent 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
pruning in HBRA Excludes windborne vegetation (loose debris) and accidental
contact
b) by tree
Number contractors.
of reports of vegetation that is not MEC
responsibility requiring urgent cutting, removal or pruning in
HBRA 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Excludes windborne vegetation

DIRECTIONS(loose debris) and accidental
& EXEMPTIONS
Cyclic Clearing – ABC or Insulated Cable (all areas) % of spans
18.21% 31.37% 36.3% 38.1% 40.4% 45.5% 48.30% 60.60% 73.10% 94.50% 97.20% 99.80% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%
Cyclic Clearing – Powerlines other than ABC or Insulated Cable (LBRA) % of spans
17.70% 30.96% 34.2% 38.0% 40.0% 42.2% 42.50% 64.40% 77.20% 96.60% 97.00% 99.80% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%
Cyclic Clearing – Powerlines other than ABC or Insulated Cable (HBRA) % of spans
10.60% 27.00% 35.5% 51.2% 60.8% 88.0% 96.50% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%
Overhanging Trees (cut) % of spans
0.00% 0.00% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Contact with live conductors by vegetation management contractors
0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 1

CAUSE WORK
OTHER
INCIDENT OF PARTY
INCIDENT SUMMARY LOCATION FACTO
DATE INCIDE INVOL
RS
NT VED
EWP
contact
EWP contact service line 27/01/2016 Scottsburn, Victoria service EWP Crew
40
CitiPower
QUARTERLY REPORT
ITEM CLASS INCIDENT DEFINITION Mar-12 Jun-12 Sep-12 Dec-12 Mar-13 Jun-13 Sep-13 Dec-13 Mar-14 Jun-14 Sep-14 Dec-14 Mar-15 Jun-15 Sep-15 Dec-15 Mar-16
Vegetation contact a) Vegetation a) Number of reports of vegetation related faults that is MEC responsibility in LBRA
(tree/branch) causing an
outage in LBRA Excludes windborne vegetation (loose debris) and accidental contact by tree 1 1 1 3 1 1 5 8 1 0 1 3 1 0 0 0 0
contractors.
b) Number of reports of vegetation related faults that is not MEC responsibility in
LBRA
4 1 3 3 3 1 1 1 0 2 0 1 2 1 0 0 0
Excludes windborne vegetation (loose debris) and accidental contact by tree
b) Vegetation contractors.
a) Number of reports of vegetation related faults that is MEC responsibility in HBRA
(tree/branch) causing an
outage in HBRA Excludes windborne vegetation (loose debris) and accidental contact by tree 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
contractors.
b) Number of reports of vegetation related faults that is not MEC responsibility in
HBRA
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
c) Vegetation contractors.
a) Number of reports of vegetation that is MEC responsibility requiring urgent cutting,
(tree/branch) requiring removal or pruning in LBRA
urgent pruning in LBRA 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
contractors.
b) Number of reports of vegetation that is not MEC responsibility requiring urgent
cutting, removal or pruning in LBRA
0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
d) Vegetation contractors.
a) Number of reports of vegetation that is MEC responsibility requiring urgent cutting,
(tree/branch) requiring removal or pruning in HBRA
urgent pruning in HBRA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
contractors.
b) Number of reports of vegetation that is not MEC responsibility requiring urgent
cutting, removal or pruning in HBRA
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
contractors. DIRECTIONS & EXEMPTIONS
Cyclic Clearing – ABC or Insulated Cable % of spans

29.00% 32.10% 37.60% 51.70% 60.00% 74.70% 79.70% 83.10% 86.70% 93.80% 97.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%
Cyclic Clearing – Powerlines other than ABC or Insulated % of spans
Cable (LBRA)
24.70% 28.60% 33.50% 55.30% 69.80% 80.50% 84.30% 87.20% 89.80% 93.60% 95.40% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%
Overhanging Trees (cut) % of spans
0% 0% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Contact with live conductors by vegetation management
contractors; 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
CAUSE WORK
OTHER
OF PARTY
INCIDENT SUMMARY INCIDENT DATE LOCATION FACTO
INCIDE INVOL
RS
NT VED
NA
41
REFERENCE D
EPBC ACT Referral Process
Referral forms are available from the department’s website at
www.environment.gov.au/epbc/assessments/referral-form.html
The referral should include all available information about the proposed action, as well as any measures that
will be put in place to reduce adverse impacts on those matters.
Examples of mitigating actions might include:

 minimising vehicle access points to avoid impacts of vehicle tracks on nationally protected grassland and
low lying vegetation, particularly in wet conditions;
 pruning of trees outside of the breeding season for nationally protected species (for example listed
migratory birds)
As part of the referral process there is a 10 business day public comment period. This means that the
referral will be made available to the public on-line for their comment.
Is the activity a controlled action?
The Minister will consider the referral and decide whether the action is likely to have a significant impact on a matter
of national environmental significance, and consequently whether it is or is not a controlled action.
If the Minister decides that the activity is a controlled action, then the action will be subject to the assessment and
approval process under the EPBC Act.
If the Minister decides that the activity is not a controlled action, then the Minister can state that approval is not
required if the action is taken in accordance with:
• the "particular manner" specified; or

• the referral
42
There is a statutory time frame of 20 business days in which the Minister must make a decision, so unless there are
requests for further information the Powercor should usually be notified within 20 business days whether or not
federal assessment and approval is required.
In most cases, it is likely that line clearance works would not be controlled actions, particularly where the works are
undertaken in accordance with a referral which sets out an adequate analysis of the environment, proposed impacts
and mitigating measures, or in accordance with a "particular manner" approval that is developed with the Department
of the Environment.
However, if the line clearance works contemplate a wide scale or permanent impact on nationally protected
vegetation or key habitats for threatened species, it is possible that the Department may decide that these activities
constitute a controlled action which requires assessment and approval. For further information refer to Reference E –
Assessment and Approval Process for Controlled Actions.
43
REFERENCE E
Assessment and Approval Process for Controlled Actions
The information on assessment and approval of controlled actions in this reference, has been included in order to
provide guidance to the Powercor, in the event that any line clearance works are determined to be controlled actions
and assessment and approval is required.
The Department of the Environment has a range of options and methods for assessing controlled actions. The
Department has the discretion to determine the most appropriate method of assessment.
Assessment methods include:

• accredited assessment (another government process is accredited as being adequate assessment such as
state/territory environmental assessment processes);
• assessment on referral information (assessment done solely on the information provided in the referral form);
• assessment on preliminary documentation (referral form and any other relevant material identified by the minister
as being necessary to adequately assess a proposed action)
• assessment by environmental impact statement (EIS) or public environment report (PER): and
• assessment by public inquiry.
The EPBC Act sets out the process and time limits for each of these types of assessment.
There is a Bilateral Agreement between Victoria and the Commonwealth under Section 45 of the EPBC Act. It provides
for the accrediting of assessment under certain Victorian laws as being sufficient for EPBC Act purposes, in each case
the Victorian assessment must also address the EPBC Act requirements. If the activity has been and/or will go through
a Victorian assessment process, the Powercor should consider whether the process addressed or will address EPBC
Act requirements, and confirm that it is an accredited assessment with the Department of the Environment.
If an assessment is required, the Department will determine the assessment method. However the most likely
assessment methods given the likely scale and impact of most line clearance works, are the processes for assessment
on referral information or on preliminary documentation. A general outline of these assessment processes are
provided below.
The general process for assessment on referral information is that:

• the Department of the Environment must prepare a draft recommendation report;
• the draft recommendation report is published for a 10 business day public comment period;
• the recommendation report is finalized and provided to the minister;
• the Minister must make a decision to approve, approve with conditions or not approve a proposed action within
30 business days of deciding on the assessment approach,
The general process for assessment on preliminary documentation is that:

• the Minister directs the proponent to publish the referral information for public comment;
• the public comment on the proponent's information;
• the proponent then has the opportunity to revise its information to take account of public comments, and gives
a notice to the Minister with the revised information or a notice stating that no comments were received.
• within ten days the proponent must publish the revised information and comments, or if no comments were
received, republish the relevant information;
• the Department of the Environment prepares a recommendation report and provides it to the Minister;
• the Minister makes a decision to approve, approve with conditions or not approve the proposed action within
40 business days of receiving finalized documentation from the proponent.
In deciding whether or not to approve a controlled action the Minister must consider:
• the principles of ecologically sustainable development;
• the results of the assessment of the impacts of the proposed action, including the relevant recommendation
report from the secretary of the federal environment department;
• referral documentation;
• community and stakeholder comments;
• any other relevant information available on the impacts of the proposed action; and
44
• relevant comments from other Australian Government and state and territory government ministers (such as
social and economic factors).
In deciding whether or not to approve a controlled action the Minister may also at his or her discretion consider the
environmental history of the company taking the action, including the environmental history of the executive officers of
companies and parent companies and their executive officers.
45
REFERENCE F
Notification and Consultation
CitiPower and Powercor Notification Consultation Requirements.
The Following document sets out the Notification/Consultation requirements for all routine clearing Powercor
CitiPower Vegetation Clearing activities (Urgent clearing, is not routine). Notification methods range from individual
letter drop to media advertising.
For clearance in urban areas:
1. Tree management plans

A CP PAL/ Council plan must be established and remain current (Listed in ELCMP) with every Municipality.
Plans are to contain:
a. Background
b. Scope
c. Method of Maintaining Clearances
d. Communication Strategy
e. Extent of Pruning
f. Standard of Pruning
g. List of important trees
h. List/Strategy for any tree removals
i. Council replanting strategy
Notes:
* Powercor plans may not include items c, e, f, h and i as councils are responsible for the maintenance of street trees.
*All plans will be completed during 2014
2. Notice by publication
The below Newspaper advertisement is to be published and remain current when working in a geographic area.
NOTICE TO AFFECTED PERSONS OF TREE CUTTING / REMOVAL

Under the Code of Practice for Electric Line Clearance
[Insert as applicable: CitiPower Pty Ltd (CitiPower) or Powercor Australia Limited (Powercor Australia)]
must maintain vegetation clearance around powerlines in compliance with the Electricity Safety (Electric
Line Clearance) Regulations 2015 (Vic) (Regulations) and the Code of Practice for Electric Line Clearance set
out in the Schedule to the Regulations (Code).
Notice is hereby given by [insert as applicable: CitiPower or Powercor Australia] pursuant to clause 16 of
the Code of cutting and removal works on trees that are [insert as applicable: on public land and/or within
the boundaries of private properties and/or of cultural or environmental significance]. These works are
scheduled to occur [insert details of the streets and/or locality here with as much precision as is
practicable] [eg in St Kilda and Port Melbourne] commencing 14 days from the date of this notice and over
the next 60 days in order to maintain the required clearance space around powerlines prescribed by the
Code. Individual properties with vegetation requiring clearing will receive by leaflet, 14 days’ notice prior to
commencement of clearing. For Port Melbourne, these works will occur no earlier than 14 days and no
later than 60 days from the date of this notice. In relation to St Kilda, a public notice was previously given
but it is likely that cutting will need to continue past the 60 days originally notified, until no later than 60
days from the date of this notice.
46
3. Notification/Consultation for Pruning and Removal of trees.
a. Where trees on private land are to be pruned by us notification will be given to the occupant of the property
which contains the tree in both urban and rural areas and or any occupier of contiguous land that may be
affected by the works, using the relevant Powercor Calling Card as listed in the latest Electric Line Clearance Plan.
b. Where trees on public land are to be pruned by us a notice will be placed in the newspaper circulating in the area
of the works and;
i. In urban areas written notice will be provided to the property directly adjacent to the tree to be pruned.
ii. For non-urban areas where reasonably practicable written notification will also be provided as required by the
regulations.
c. Where trees on private land are to be removed consultation will occur with the tree owner in both urban and
rural areas and any occupier of contiguous land that may be affected by the works. Documentation of this
consultation is to be made available to CP PAL.
d. Strategies for general notification of other affected persons in urban areas are to be documented in CP
PAL/Council Tree
Management Plan, these may consist of;
i. In writing
ii. Public information session
iii. Electronic communication or other media separate from the regulatory requirement listed above.
This document does not negate any obligations of the Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance)
Regulations 2015.
47
REFERENCE G
Granted Exemptions
Powercor
Exemption Location Expiry
Cork Oak HBRA Clearance Space 16-18 Armstrong St Creswick ongoing – refer PAL correspondence
th
Low Voltage Victoria 24 July 2015
(ie no expiry)
Synagogue Pine LBRA Clearance Space 2 Barkley St Ballarat Victoria ongoing – refer PAL correspondence
th
High Voltage 24 July 2015
(ie no expiry)
48
CitiPower
Exemption Location Expiry

th
Date Palm LBRA Clearance Space 95 Canterbury Rd Ongoing – refer CP-PAL correspondence 24 October
High Voltage Albert Park 2014
Upgraded to insulated cable
(ie no expiry)
49
REFERENCE H

Policy This Policy applies to the following entities:
Statement  Powercor PAL)
 CitiPower (CP)
 Transmission Operations Australia Elaine (TOA)
 Transmission Operations Australia 2 Ararat TOA2)
To minimise the risk to the community and the environment caused through the
interaction of trees and powerlines, CP, PAL, TOA and TOA2 are obligated and
committed to comply with the requirements of the current Electricity Safety
(Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2015.
The Electric Line Clearance (Vegetation) Management Plan, Vegetation
Management Procedure and Vegetation Annual Execution Plan define the detailed
programs to achieve our commitment to compliance, whilst allowing flexibility
within the business to encourage innovation, continuous improvement and the
efficient use of resources.
The Electric Line Clearance Management Plan and strategies are focussed on
maintaining a network where no tree is inside the Minimum Clearance Space within
the CP, PAL, TOA and TOA2 networks. It is acknowledged however that from time to
time trees may be discovered inside the MCS and therefore CP, PAL, TOA and TOA2
has processes in place to action these trees. CP PAL has set out VP codes and
timeframes to manage vegetation that may unexpectedly grow inside the MCS.
Abbreviations
Abbreviation Description
HBRA Hazardous Bushfire Risk Area
LBRA Low Risk Bushfire Area
ACSR Aluminium Core Steel Reinforced
MEC Major Electricity Company
PAL Powercor Australia Ltd
CP CitiPower
TOA Transmission Operations Australia Elaine
TOA2 Transmission Operations Australia 2 Ararat
CPPAL CitiPower and Powercor, and for the purposes of this ELCMP, also
includes UE, TOA and TOA2
Regulations 2015 Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2015
MCS Minimum Clearance Space in accordance with the Regulations 2015
RAD Regulated Applicable Distance
SAS Sag And Sway
DSw Design Sway
DSg Design Sag
VBS Vegetation Buffer Space
50
Abbreviation Description
HV/HV Asset High Voltage nominal voltage exceeds 1000 volts AC for the
purposes of this policy includes distribution, sub-transmission,
TOA and TOA2 transmission lines
Vegetation Priority
Code definitions
Code 2017 Vegetation Priority Code definitions
VP1 Vegetation in the first 10% of the Minimum Clearance Space
(MCS)* Applies to only energised** LV & HV assets.
VP2 Vegetation in the middle 70% of the MCS. Applies only to
energised LV & HV assets.
VP3 Vegetation in the last 20% of the MCS for energised HV and LV
assets. (Excluding telecommunication cable and assets)
Current Year A span where vegetation is in the CPPAL Vegetation Buffer
Code 2017 Space (VBS) or is likely to grow into the VBS within the calendar
year. The VBS is within 1 years growth from the MCS (Nominally
gauged at 1 meter of MCS)
Inspected year Means the year that the data from the LiDAR acquisition is
uploaded into SAP
M (Managed Span) –M spans have a reduced MCS requirement
applied, this is due to community importance of a tree in the
span and can only be applied to LV in LBRA with CP/PAL
approval as applicable also any HV spans will require approval
from ESV.
NCR (No Code Required) – A pole and asset which has no exposed
overhead powerline connections and therefore no requirement
for vegetation clearance. For example a street light pole.
NVS (Non Vegetated Span) - Means there is no potential for any
vegetation to enter into the MCS due to tree growth (Carried
out by Visual Assessment Only) and will remain so for at least
10 years.
Year Codes: 18, Means the year the vegetation is anticipated to grow within the
19,20,21,22,23, VBS. For example a code 18 means vegetation will likely to
24 enter the VBS within the year 2018 (Nominally within 1 meter
of VBS)
For telecommunication cable and assets the one year code
represents the year that the vegetation will contact the asset.
Notes:
o *: Minimum Clearance Space (MCS) is defined in this CitiPower Powercor Vegetation
Management Policy in the following section Determining the Minimum Clearance Space.
o **: Energised assets include Conductors, Fuses, Switches, Hybrid U/G structures, Cable
Head structures, and overhead transformers. Excludes Guy Wires, Aerial Earth, Light Pole
without conductor, Ground Kiosks, Poles.
51
Vegetation Determining and maintaining the Minimum Clearance Space (MCS) through risk
Minimum based prioritization is key to CPPAL & UE achieving its commitment to the
Clearance Space requirements of the Regulations 2015.The relationship between the MCS and the
risk based Vegetation Priority Codes is illustrated in Figure 1 below. This figure also
shows the CPPAL Vegetation Buffer Space (VBS) which is designed to further reduce
the potential risk of vegetation entering the MCS.
All VP codes are recognised as non-complinaces with the Regulations 2015. The CP
PAL program is designed to maintain vegetation outside the MCS at all times,
however CP PAL has set out VP codes and timeframes to manage vegetation that
may unexpectedly grow inside the MCS.
Figure 1 Minimum Clearance Space and Vegetation Priority Codes for High Voltage & Low Voltage
52
Determining the In accordance with the Regulations 2015, the CPPAL method for determining an
Minimum additional distance that allows for sag and sway for the purposes of determining
Clearance Space the MCS is described below.
MCS is the Regulated Applicable Distance (RAD) and an additional distance that allows for sag and
sway (SAS). MCS distances are determined as follows:
 Insulated conductor in LBRA & HBRA:

o the MCS is equal to the RAD, as prescribed in the Regulations 2015.
 Uninsulated Conductor in LBRA up to 100m in span length:
o the MCS is equal to the RAD, as prescribed in the Regulations 2015 for spans of up to 100
meters in length.
 Uninsulated Conductor in LBRA greater than 100m in span length:
o the MCS is calculated horizontally for sway as:
 equal to the RAD, as prescribed in the Regulations 2015 for spans greater than 100
meters in length; or
 where the RAD is less than Design Sway (DSw), an additional distance is added to the
RAD to make the MCS equal the DSw plus an additional buffer** of 300 millimetres
(measured horizontally from the swayed conductor);
 where DSw* is the Design Sag (DSg*) at a temperature of 50o for
6.6kv/11kv/12.7kv/22kV and at 100° for 66kV; and with an assumed sway angle of the
max designed angle of sway.
o the MCS is calculated vertically for sag as:
 equal to the RAD, as prescribed in the Regulations 2015 for spans greater than 100
meters in length; or
 where the RAD is less than DSg, an additional distance is added to the RAD to make the
MCS equal the DSg;
 where DSg* is calculated at a temperature of 50o for 6.6kv/11kv/12.7kv/22kV and at
100° for 66kV.
 Uninsulated Conductor in HBRA:
o the MCS is calculated horizontally for sway as:
 equal to the RAD, as prescribed in the Regulations 2015; or
 where the RAD is less than DSw, an additional distance is added to the RAD to make the
MCS equal the DSw plus an additional buffer*** of 500 millimetres (measured
horizontally from the swayed conductor);
 where DSw* is the DSg* at a temperature of 50o for 6.6kv/11kv/12.7kv/22kV and at
100° for 66kV; and with an assumed sway angle of the max designed angle of sway.
o the MCS is calculated vertically for sag as:
 equal to the RAD, as prescribed in the Regulations 2015; or
 where the RAD is less than DSg, an additional distance is added to the RAD to make the
MCS equal the DSg;
 where DSg* is calculated at a temperature of 50o for 6.6kv/11kv/12.7kv/22kV and at
100° for 66kV.
53
Notes:
o *: The DSw and DSg calculations are based on the principles of AS 7000. Overhead Line
Design.
o **: 300mm is added to LBRA sway allowances to cater for the potential variability of
operating temperature, construction, asset/pole movement and site conditions. This
allowance in LBRA is less than HBRA given the lower relative fire risk.
o ***: 500mm is added to HBRA sway allowances to cater for the potential variability of
operating temperature, construction, asset/pole movement and site conditions.
o The VM procedure Vegetation Clearance Charts – TOA & TOA2 vegetation clearances list
transmission line DSw and DSg
Sample The following table provides a sample of horizontal MCS distances for some of the
Minimum most common conductor types and span lengths. These are examples only and
Clearance Space specific individual MCS distances must be calculated for each span on the CPPAL
& UE networks and recorded in the vegetation asset data records.
Conductor Description Span Length MCS

(horizontal in mm)
66kv HBRA 170m 5030

66kv HBRA 200m 5860
22kv HBRA Steel 175m 4300
22kv HBRA ACSR 125m 2730
Rectification Where spans and locations are identified in HBRA as having vegetation inside
timeframes in the MCS during the declared Fire Danger Period, CP PAL will take reasonable
HBRA in the steps to clear the vegetation within timeframes set out below:
Fire Danger
Period
Vegetation Action required
Priority Code LV & HV energized asset
VP1 24 hours of reporting date.
If not cleared an observer is require to be posted on a Total
Fire Ban day whilst FDI above 30
VP2 Cleared within 7 days
No inspection required on a Total Fire Ban day.
VP3 Cleared or re-inspected within 14 days confirmed to priority code.
No inspection required on a Total Fire Ban day
54
Rectification
timeframes in Where spans and locations are identified in HBRA as having vegetation inside the
HBRA outside clearance space at times outside the declared Fire Danger Period, CP PAL will take
the Fire Danger reasonable steps to clear the vegetation within timeframes set out below:
Period

Priority LV & HV energized asset
Code
VP1 Cleared within 28 days measured from inspection date.
VP2 Cleared within 6 months or prior to fire season declaration date,
measured from inspection date.
VP3 Cleared within 6 months or fire season declaration date if prior,
measured from inspection date or any subsequent re-inspection
confirming vegetation remains code VP3
*For Transmission lines VP1 codes will be actioned within 24 hours
Rectification Where spans and locations are identified in LBRA as having vegetation inside the
timeframes in clearance space, CPPAL will take reasonable steps to clear the vegetation within
LBRA at all timeframes set out below:
times
Priority LV & HV energized asset
Code
VP1 Cleared within 28 days measured from inspection date.
VP2 Cleared within 6 months measured from inspection date.
VP3 Cleared within 6 or any subsequent re-inspection confirming
vegetation remains code VP3 measured from inspection date.
Rectification  All rectification timeframes commence from LidDAR inspection date flown.
timeframe  Spans are coded to the highest VP priority defect within the span.
notes
 Where a span or asset is inaccessible due to wet or inundated ground
conditions the rectification timeframes do not apply and reassessment is to
occur within 14 days.
Issue The Issue Number of this Policy is:

Number and
 Issue 8
Date
The Issue Date of this Policy is:

 1 November 2017
Effective This Policy is effective from:

Date
 1 November 2017
55
Related  Electric Line Clearance (Vegetation) Management Plans
Documents
 Vegetation Management Procedure
 Vegetation Annual Execution Plan (VAEP)
Date Last This Policy was last reviewed by the Business Process Owner on the following date:
Reviewed
 1 November 2017
Document This document has the following Business Process Owner (BPO) and Business
Owners Process Analyst (BPA):
 Business Process Owner (BPO) title: Head of Network Compliance
 Business Process Analyst (BPA) title: Technical Officer, Vegetation Management
Change Log
Details
Year Previous New

2016  55 = P1  55 does not need to be rated as all 55s
will be treated the same.
2016  P28 Removed  Insulated cable – HV becomes a 55 and
LV are manage as 56s.
2016  55 and 56s applied to all assets  55 and 56 codes no longer apply to “non
hazard items” eg telecommunication
cables, and pillars.
2016  Code 55 - A span where  Code 55 - A span where vegetation is
vegetation is touching or likely touching or likely to touch a HV
to touch a conductor conductor. Change has been made to
ensure compliant insulated LV is not
prioritized for cutting. Focus’s resource
on clearing higher risk 55s and 5601s on
HV rather than LV 55s
2016  5601 - Applies to all Applies to HV conductors , substation,
conductors where, under fuse or crossarm where inspection
extreme weather conditions, confirms vegetation has a high risk of
touching conductors under conditions
inspection confirms vegetation
marginally in excess of standard design
is likely to touch conditions
2016  5602 - Applies to all  Applies to HV conductors where, under
conductors where, under extreme weather conditions, inspection
extreme weather conditions, confirms vegetation is likely to touch
inspection confirms vegetation conductors. Foliage contact with LV
is likely to touch conductors. conductors is a 5603.
56
Year Previous New
2016  5603- Applies to all conductors  Applies to all conductors where
where inspection/re- inspection/re-inspection confirms
inspection confirms vegetation vegetation is unlikely or cannot contact
is unlikely or cannot contact the conductor under any conditions.
the conductor under any Foliage contact with LV conductors is a
conditions. 5603.
2016  2010 Regulation  2015 Regulation
2016  55 cleared within 28 days LBRA  55 cleared within 90 days LBRA
2016  56 cleared within 6 months  55 cleared within 1 year LBRA
LBRA
2016  Inspection date  Cutting notification creation.
2016  TFB requirements added to  TFB requirements added
risk rating.
2016  Vegetation Codes  Definitions added
2017  56 codes  Further defining of 56
2017  Codes redefined  Removal of code 55 and 56s, and
inclusion on more descriptive non-
compliance codes
2017  Vegetation span codes 55 and  New Vegetation Priority Codes (VP
56 codes) VP1, VP2, and VP3
2017  Review of VP2 and VP3  Additional phrase “of the inspected
timeframes year” added to codes and Inspected
year added as a definition
2017  N/A  Ammended to include United Energy
Network
2017  Review of all VP rectification  Rectification timeframes reduced for
timeframes VP1s to 28 days and a 6 month
maximum rectification timeframe for
VP2 and VP3 in HBRA outside the Fire
danger period and for LBRA at all
times.
2017  Transmission line VP1  Transmission line VP1 codes will be
timeframe actioned within 24 hours
2017  Vegetation Priority Code  low voltage VP Code definitions
Definitions updated
57
REFERENCE I
Vegetation Management Strategy
DOCUMENT CONTROL AND DEFINITIONS .................................................................................... 60

VM STRATEGY APPROVALS ....................................................................................................... 60
STRATEGY DEFINITIONS............................................................................................................. 60
RESPONSIBLE PERSONS ............................................................................................................. 63
REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................... 63
1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 65
1.1 COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS .......................................................................................... 65
1.1.1 VEGETATION MINIMUM CLEARANCE SPACE ............................................................. 65
1.2 CP-PAL NETWORK VEGETATION MANAGEMENT CONTEXT ....................................................... 65
1.3 VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM - OVERVIEW ........................................................... 67

1.4 RISK-REDUCTION IMPACTS OF VEGETATION MANAGEMENT .................................................... 68
2 VEGETATION RISKS AND MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES ......................................................... 69
2.1 RISK ASSESSMENT.......................................................................................................... 69
2.2 VEGETATION MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES .......................................................................... 69
2.2.1 VEGETATION RISK CANNOT BE ELIMINATED.............................................................. 70
2.2.2 NETWORK EXPOSURE TO VEGETATION .................................................................... 70
3 VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE MEASURES .................................................. 71
3.1 VEGETATION MANAGEMENT LEADING INDICATORS ............................................................. 71
3.2 VEGETATION MANAGEMENT LAGGING INDICATORS ............................................................. 71
4 VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE .................................................................... 73
4.1 IMPACTS – PERFORMANCE QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS ............................................................. 73
4.2 PROPORTION OF FIRE IGNITIONS ATTRIBUTABLE TO VEGETATION ............................................. 75
4.3 UNPLANNED NETWORK OUTAGE CONTRIBUTION ATTRIBUTABLE TO VEGETATION ........................ 75
4.4 VEGETATION MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY METRICS ................................................................. 76
4.5 EFFECT OF VEGETATION RISK CONTROLS............................................................................ 76
5 VEGETATION MANAGEMENT STRATEGY ............................................................................. 78
5.1 OVERVIEW OF RECENT CHANGES IN CP-PAL’S VEGETATION MANAGEMENT STRATEGY ............... 78
6 STRATEGY OPTIONS ANALYSIS..................................................................................................... 82
6.1 INSPECTION ................................................................................................................. 82
6.2 VEGETATION TREATMENT ............................................................................................... 86
6.3 AUDIT STRATEGY ........................................................................................................... 87
58
6.4 BUSHFIRE CONSTRUCTION AREA STRATEGY ........................................................................ 89
7 STRATEGY MONITORING AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT ............................................ 92
7.1 MONITORING OF LEADING INDICATORS .............................................................................. 92
7.2 MONITORING OF LAGGING INDICATORS ............................................................................. 92
7.3 FAULT FOLLOW-UP AND INVESTIGATION ............................................................................ 92
7.4 CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT .......................................................................................... 93
8 VM QUALIFICATIONS TRAINING STANDARDS ...................................................................... 97
ATTACHMENT A CP-PAL VEGETATION MANAGEMENT STRATEGY AUDIT SCHEDULE .............. 9899
59
DOCUMENT CONTROL AND DEFINITIONS
VM S T RA T E GY A P P RO V AL S
Prepared By
Wayne Evans / /
Vegetation Manager
Date
Approved By
Matt Thorpe / /
Head of Network Compliance
Date
Document Revision History

Version No. Revision Summary Reviewer/Approver Date
Final Wayne Evans / Matt Thorpe 11 January 2017
60
S T R A TE G Y D EFI N I TI O N S
Act: Electricity Safety Act 1998.
Affected Person: an owner or occupier (including a person who is responsible for the management of
public land).
Arborist: Suitably qualified arborist as defined in Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance)
Regulations 2015.
As far as practicable: means an action that which is, or was at a particular time, reasonably capable of
being done, effected or put into practice with the available means taking into account and weighing
up all relevant matters as determined by CitiPower -Powercor that may including:
(i) what we know, or ought reasonably to know, about:
 the nature of any relevant hazard or risk, and
 ways of eliminating or minimising the risk, and
(ii) the degree of harm that might result from the hazard or the risk
(iii) the availability and suitability of ways to eliminate or minimise the risk
(iv) the impact on amenity, impact on the health of vegetation and cost associated with
available ways of eliminating or minimising the risk
(v) whether the impact on amenity, impact on the health of vegetation and cost associated
with available ways of eliminating or minimising the risk is disproportionate to the risk.
Minimum clearance space: as defined in ther Vegetation Management Policy
Code: Code of Practice contained in the Schedule of the Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance)
Regulations 2015.
Consult: Means to provide an adequate opportunity to members of the public, local government and
landowners to understand the vegetation works proposed and to seek additional information
regarding the proposed works.
ELCMP: Electric Line Clearance Management (Vegetation) Plan relating to compliance with the Code
of Practice for Electric Line Clearance.
Hazard Tree: A tree, or part of a tree, that having regard to foreseeable local conditions, is likely to
fall onto or otherwise fail and may come into contact with an electric line.
For practical application during inspection, the following Hazard Tree definition interpretation is to be
used:
Trees with stems or branches that have obvious and visible structural defects, as viewed from the
point of electric line vegetation clearance inspection, that may fail and impact an electric line.
Native Vegetation: Native vegetation means plants like trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses that would
have grown naturally in Victoria before European arrival.
Plan: 2016 to 2017 Electric Line Clearance (Vegetation) Management Plan.
Regulations: Electric Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2015 including any exemptions
granted by Energy Safe Victoria under clause 11.
Regrowth Space: The area allowed for vegetation to regrow post last cut, nominally 3 years, and prior
to entering the minimum clearance space.
Service Provider: a Contractor or Sub-contractor engaged through contractual arrangements with

CitiPower -Powercor.
61
Vegetation Assessor: a person whose qualifications, experience and ongoing training and assessment
demonstrate competency in assessing and scoping vegetation near live electrical apparatus. This
person determines cutting requirements to confirm compliance for vegetation near live electrical
apparatus.
Vegetation Management Procedure: the CitiPower and Powercor document hierarchy of Vegetation
Management Process Procedures for key processes, end-to-end business procedures, activities and
instructional material for implementation of the Plan.
For other definitions: refer to the relevant Act, Regulations or Code.
62
RESPONSIBLE PERSONS
Responsibility Name Title Address Contact Details
VM Strategy Powercor Electricity 40 Market Street Phone: 13 22 06

Responsible Australia Ltd Distribution Melbourne, 3000 Email:
Person Business info@powercor.com.au
VM Strategy Matt Thorpe Head of 40 Market Street Phone: 13 22 06

preparation Network Melbourne, 3000 Email:
Compliance mthorpe@powercor.com.au
VM Strategy Wayne Vegetation 40 Market Street Phone: 13 22 06

implementation Evans Manager Melbourne, 3000 Email:
waevans@powercor.com.au
R E F E RE N C ES
o Electricity Safety Act 1998 (Vic) (The Act)

o Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2015 (Vic)
o Industry Guidelines
o CitiPower and Powercor Vegetation Management Policy
o CitiPower and Powercor Customer Action and Response System (CARE)
o Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth)
o Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (Vic)
o Victorian Planning Provisions and Planning Schemes
o Pruning of Amenity Trees (AS 4373) current version
o Powercor Bushfire Mitigation Strategy Plan
o CitiPower Bushfire Mitigation Strategy Plan
o CitiPower Powercor Vegetation Field Reference Guide
o CitiPower Powercor Vegetation Management Procedure process activity procedures:
- Conduct Vegetation Inspection Work Instruction
- Compile Vegetation Action Work Package Work Instruction
- Execute Vegetation Action Work Instruction
- Compile Vegetation Reports Work Instruction
63
The CitiPower Powercor Vegetation Management Strategy forms part of a hierarchy of documents as shown
below at Figure 1.



Procedures (VAEP)

Execute Conduct
Action Reporting
F IGURE 1 CP-PAL V EGETATION M ANAGEMENT D OCUMENT H IERARCHY

The Vegetation Management Strategy shall be updated in September each year to ensure the Strategy is
consistent with all relevant regulations, and remains relevant to documenting the VM strategy pursued by CP-
PAL.
64
1 INTRODUCTION
Vegetation coming into contact with live power lines can generate a range of risks including creating bushfire
ignition risks, electrical safety risks, as well as having adverse impacts on supply reliability and causing damage
to overhead network assets. To manage these significant risks, it is necessary for CitiPower and Powercor (CP-
PAL) to develop and implement strategies to maintain appropriate clearance between vegetation and overhead
electricity assets. To do so requires an annual program to strategically directed, carefully planned and well
executed vegetation management activities to be undertaken.
This vegetation management strategy is developed to pursue CP-PAL’s vegetation management policy which is:
To minimise the risk to the community and the environment caused through the interaction of trees and
powerlines, this allows CitiPower and Powercor to comply with the requirements of the current Electricity
Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations.
This document sets out the vegetation management strategy for CP-PAL’s electricity supply networks, for the
period 2016 to 2021.
1.1 C O M PL I AN C E R EQ U I R EM E N TS
The Electricity Safety Act 1998 (Vic) and the Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2015 (Vic)
establish the line clearance regulatory regime applicable to CP-PAL’s network. The regulatory regime provides
for a system of vegetation management with clear objectives of fire prevention and vegetation management
and safety. At the same time there are a number of national, state and local laws which seek to protect native
vegetation and habitat, and manage any adverse impacts of activities to protected vegetation.
CP-PAL’s Electric Line Clearance (Vegetation) Management Plan (ECLMP) sets out a framework for identifying
and managing environmentally significant vegetation and habitat in an environmentally responsible manner,
at the same time working to achieve line vegetation clearance objectives for the purposes of fire prevention.
CP-PAL is not the responsible party for all vegetation clearance. Councils are responsible for vegetation
growing within Declared Areas on road reserves or in a Council park. Whilst in such areas Councils are the
responsible party for maintaining vegetation in compliance with regulations, however as the network
operator, CP-PAL undertakes its own regular inspections of its overhead supply network assets, and records all
non-compliant vegetation (when not CP-PAL’s responsibility) and advises the responsible Council of their
obligations, also we report any such non-compliances to EnergySafe Victoria.
1.1.1 Vegetation minimum clearance space

For distribution networks, defined easements typically do not exist – rather a physical space is defined relative
to the position of overhead conductors and assets, in which it is directed that vegetation is kept clear by the
party responsible for the vegetation. Standards for minimum clearance space dimensions, and specification of
who is responsible for maintaining vegetation clearance, is mandated by EnergySafe Victoria, Victoria’s energy
industry safety and technical regulator. These standards are promulgated in the Electricity Safety (Electricity
Line Clearance) Regulations 2015.
Minimum clearance space dimensions vary according to line type and voltage, whether the span is in the
Hazardous Bushfire Risk Area (HBRA) or the Low Bushfire Risk Area (LBRA), span length, and which part of the
span is being assessed.
1.2 C P - P AL N E TW O RK V E GE TA T I O N M AN A GE M EN T C O N T EX T
Powercor’s overhead supply network is located in the central and western regions of Victoria (Figure 2).
CitiPower’s network supplies electricity to Melbourne’s central business district, Port Melbourne and inner
urban/suburban areas (Figure 2). CP-PAL’s combined network area supports a diversity of vegetation types, tall
moist Eucalypt forests, to open dry Eucalypt forests and woodlands, a diverse range of other native vegetation
types, as well as historic urban amenity tree plantings comprised of a range of introduced tree species.
For the vast majority of CP-PAL’s network there are no formal easements in place, and the very large existing
tree population which has the potential to impact CP-PAL’s network is not within CP-PAL’s jurisdiction to
remove. Accordingly, CP-PAL’s overhead supply network needs to coexist with vegetation. Hence, for CP-PAL
the management of vegetation is an unavoidable and high volume task.
Vegetation growth is highly variable and dynamic, driven by genetic differences between plant species, as well
as the variability of local site factors affecting plant growth. Vegetation is also exposed (over multiple decades
65
to centuries timescales) to the cumulative effects of weather and other vectors of damage and decay.
Vegetation can come into contact with overhead power lines either by growing into overhead lines, or by
whole trees or branches failing and falling on to them, or by vegetative material such as bark or sticks/small
branches being blown on to lines.
F IGURE 2 NETWORK SUPPLY VEGET ATION AREAS
In Figure 2 above it can be seen that CP-PAL organises its network area into four regions for the purpose of
vegetation management.
Region 1 is the Metropolitan Region and is comprised of the CitiPower network area and suburban areas west
from Melbourne and encompassing Geelong in Powercor’s network area. Due to the high population density in
Region 1, maintaining vegetation clearance for service reliability is a key vegetation management imperative.
Region 2 covering central western Victoria, incorporates a number of regional centres/major towns including
Horsham, Ballarat, Daylesford, Macedon, Gisborne, Woodend and Bacchus Marsh among others. The region is
comprised mostly of cleared agricultural landscape areas, with some large expanses of forested hills and
ranges. The highest bushfire risk areas are in the Ballarat, Hepburn, Mt Alexander, Moorabool and Macedon
Ranges shires as indicated by ESV’s designated Bushfire Construction Area mapping.
Region 3 occupies the highest rainfall areas of Powercor’s network area along the southern coast, hinterlands
and high productivity agricultural areas. It contains significant tracts of tall high productivity forests,
particularly in the Otway ranges, and major timber plantation areas from around Portland to Victoria’s western
border. The highest bushfire risk areas in Region 3 are in proximity to the Otway ranges and Surf Coast area
where forests are extensive, tall and fast growing, and closely adjacent to significant population centres.
Region 4 occupies the north western part of Victoria, principally lower rainfall cropping areas and Mallee in the
west, through to higher rainfall/productivity cleared agricultural lands in the Goulburn Valley, and forests in
the east around regional city of Bendigo. The highest bushfire risk areas are in Region 4 are in the
Bendigo/Castlemaine area where rural and semi-rural communities live in areas adjacent to or intermixed with
bushfire-prone forested hills.
66
Vegetation cover and growth potential varies significantly within and between these CP-PAL vegetation
management regions.
1.3 V EG E T A TI O N M AN A GE M E N T P R O G R AM - O V E R VI E W
Achieving compliance with CP-PAL’s vegetation management policy and regulatory obligations requires a large
scale annual program of vegetation management activities. The vegetation management activities are in
essence an ongoing maintenance regime in which CP-PAL is continually monitoring the condition of the
Clearance and Hazard Spaces, identifying what vegetation management actions need to be undertaken to
maintain minimum clearance space compliance, and reducing the number of hazardous trees that may fall on
to network assets, whilst also achieving other efficiency-driven aims such as reducing the tree cutting works
volume progressively over time.
An overview of the scale of CP-PAL’s vegetation management program, the key activities are represented by
Figure 3 listed below.
F IGURE 3 CP-PAL ANNUAL VEGETATION MA NAGEMENT PROGRAM ACT IVITY SCOPE AND SCAL E
As identified from Figure 3 above, based on 2016 VM program data, CP-PAL’s VM program has a high volume
work scope comprised as follows:
 Approximately half (51%) of CP-PAL’s network is within the Hazardous Bushfire Risk Area (HBRA);
 Approximately half (52%) of CP-PAL’s network is exposed to vegetation requiring recurrent clearance;
 Approximately three quarters of CP-PAL’s network is subject to vegetation inspection annually – all HBRA
spans and half of LBRA spans; and
 A similar proportion of HBRA and LBRA spans (~ 12% of each) require action each year (total of 68,000
spans);
67
An annual program outline is provided at Figure 4.
Fire Season
Inspection
(CP-PAL 27,000)
Hazard Tree ~6,000
2017 HBRA ~46,000 spans. Bushfire safety 2018 HBRA ~46,000 spans. Bushfire safety
Cutting
LBRA ~27,000 spans.


F IGURE 4 V EGETATION MANAGEMENT ANNUAL PROGRAM
1.4 R I S K - RE DU C T I O N I M P AC T S O F V E GE T A TI O N M A N A G E ME N T
The impact of vegetation management strategy implementation is notoriously difficult to quantify, as the key
benefit provided is in terms of avoidance or mitigation of bushfire and safety incidents and improved
reliability. It is therefore problematic to measure what didn’t happen (the bushfires and safety incidents that
didn’t happen because the vegetation was managed), and/or the reliability incidents (outages that didn’t
happen because the vegetation was managed). Notwithstanding the difficulties of quantifying the risk
reduction benefits of VM, those benefits are very substantial, greatly reducing the number of vegetation-
caused faults that would otherwise have occurred.
Consistent with industry practice, CP-PAL measures the impacts that did occur by recording data about the
incidents that the vegetation management did not prevent. These are in the form of vegetation contact
events/faults, fires started due to contact of vegetation with the overhead supply network, and industry
measures of reliability and outages. Monitoring of the impacts allows trends to be evaluated.
68
2 VEGETATION RISKS AND MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES
Vegetation can impact on a range of important CP-PAL business objectives, potentially public safety
risks associated with bushfires and vegetation-impacting on powerlines, maintaining electricity
supply reliability, and compliance with electric line clearance regulations.
2.1 R I S K A S S ES S M E N T
CP-PAL has conducted bowtie risk analysis (GHD, 2016) for the risks associated with vegetation
coming into contact with overhead supply network assets, both from sources of vegetation that
grow into the network, and from sources that fall or blow on to the network. In addition to
identifying the sources of risk, the bowtie analysis documents the range of risk controls that are
applied (principally by CP-PAL, but also by others) in managing the risks. The most critical risk
preventative controls applied by CP-PAL include:
 Minimum clearance space design adequacy, allowing for conductor sag and sway dynamics;
 Comprehensive network asset spatial data capture and maintenance so all network
relevant network assets can be subject to CP-PAL’s vegetation management program;
 Vegetation inspection process, designed and executed effectively (so that vegetation
within, and with the potential to grow inside clearance, and hazard trees which can fail and
fall on to live overhead assets can be found and cut to prevent contact);
 Vegetation action, in various forms (including cutting, pruning, removal, herbicide spraying
and mechanical clearance) is designed and executed effectively;
 Procedures for consulting and notifying Other Responsible Parties (ORP - principally
Councils with Declared Areas) of vegetation requiring their action; and
 Procedures for dealing with vegetation clearance non-compliance on Private Overhead
Electric Lines (POELs).
A range of other risk controls are also applied, as documented in the full risk bowtie diagrams for
vegetation contact and hazard trees.
The greatest risk dimension associated with vegetation is bushfire risk, principally due to the
severity of the consequences that can potentially arise from a bushfire occurring in adverse fire
danger conditions. All bushfire risks, including but not limited to risk arising from vegetation, is
specifically addressed in CP-PAL’s Bushfire Mitigation Strategy Plan.
2.2 V EG E T A TI O N M AN A GE M E N T O B J EC TI VE S
In managing the specific risk of vegetation interacting with CP-PAL overhead supply network, the
key objectives of this Vegetation Management Strategy are to:
1. Bushfire Risk – mitigate the risk of bushfires caused by vegetation interacting with live
electricity assets;
2. Electrical Safety – mitigate the risk of incidents to the public and worker safety that may be
caused by vegetation interacting with live electricity assets;
3. Compliance – achieve compliance with all relevant legislative and statutory requirements
Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2015, and to work collaboratively
with councils to assist them to achieve compliance;
4. Network performance – mitigate the risk of supply interruptions as a result of vegetation
coming into contact with live electricity assets; and
5. Network damage – mitigate the risk of vegetation-caused damage to CP-PAL electricity
assets.
CP-PAL aims to meet these objectives in a safe, cost effective and environmentally responsible
manner.
CP-PAL seeks to become an innovative industry leader in vegetation management.
In determining appropriate management objectives there are important matters of vegetation-
related risk management context that CP-PAL has considered. These vegetation management
context matters are summarised in sections 2.2.1 to 2.2.2.
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2. 2.1 V eg et at i on r is k c an not b e el im in at e d
It is not reasonably practicable to entirely eliminate network risk associated with vegetation. All
trees have the potential to fail (in part or in whole) if subject to weather conditions that impart
physical forces exceeding the capacity of the tree to withstand. Many factors serve to weaken the
capacity of trees to resist these forces imparted by lean, asymmetry, wind, and physical impact by
other trees or human activity. These include such vectors as previous wind or lightning induced
damage, fire damage, root disturbance, disease, fungal decay, and wood insect attack, all of which
are additive in effect and generally increase the likelihood and severity with tree age/senescence.
It is important to note that not all trees or branches that fail and impact the overhead supply
network have visible defects, in fact many are apparently live and healthy trees and/or branches.
Also, most forest Eucalypt (and closely related genera) species produce temporary branches while
they grow to their full height (which may take decades) and progressively shed branches as they
grow, as the permanent branches of their crown become increasingly established. Branches shed in
this way can be large and relatively long – with the potential to break conductors or cause them to
clash.
2. 2.2 N et wo rk e x po s u r e t o veg et at i on
CitiPower’s overhead distribution network contains a total of 59,212 spans (with a total route length
of approximately 3,202 km), approximately 60 percent of the route line length is exposed to
1
vegetation . In addition there are more than 327,000 service lines extending from the network
which are inspected for vegetation clearance. CitiPower’s network is completely within the Low
Bushfire Risk Area (LBRA).
2
Powercor’s overhead distribution network contains a total of 499,410 spans (with a total route
3
length exceeding 67,000 km), approximately 74 percent of the route line length is exposed to
vegetation. In addition there are more than 777,000 service lines extending from the network which
are inspected for vegetation clearance. For the Powercor network, 56 percent of spans are in the
Hazardous Bushfire Risk Area (HBRA).
A high proportion of the vegetation to which CP-PAL’s network is exposed has no easement in favour of CP-
PAL, and therefore existing vegetation is not within CP-PAL’s jurisdiction to remove (except for Hazard Trees
which may be made safe by CP-PAL, subject to notifying the owner). Accordingly, CP-PAL’s overhead supply
network needs to coexist with vegetation. Hence, for CP-PAL the management of vegetation is an unavoidable
and high volume task. Given the large vegetation exposure (a network tree population estimated to be several
million trees) and the legal/practical impossibility of eliminating the exposure, CP-PAL aims to reduce
vegetation related risks to tolerable levels. In considering what is tolerable, there are a number of factors to
consider:
 Some level of residual risk is inevitable because the risks are not all identifiable (for example,
apparently healthy trees or branches which fail in foreseeable weather conditions) and cannot
be eliminated;
 There are limits imposed by legislative and regulatory provisions (environmental among
others) to what level of vegetation risk reduction can be achieved;
 There are limits to what stakeholders are willing to pay (through the electricity price they pay)
for risk reduction, accordingly there are limits to the vegetation risk reduction costs the
economic regulator will accept;
 Stakeholders, particularly those living in the areas where vegetation management is carried
out, have a variety of perceptions about the degree to which action taken to reduce vegetation
related risk is acceptable or otherwise; and
 In Council ‘declared areas’ vegetation related risks are not CP-PAL’s responsibility to control.
1
From 2015 Category analysis RIN data
2
From 2015 RIN data
3
From 2012 RIN data for ‘percentage of route line length requiring active vegetation management’ – note this does not include
Council-managed vegetation in declared areas.
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3 VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Given the risk management context and the vegetation management objectives identified, it is possible to
identify a range of leading and lagging indicators for vegetation management performance.
Leading indicators provide visibility of vegetation exposure levels before any faults or impacts have occurred.
Lagging indicators provide visibility of impact occurrence after vegetation-caused faults have occurred.
3.1 V EG E T A TI O N M AN A GE M E N T L E A DI N G I N DI C A T O R S
CP-PAL’s leading indicators for vegetation management are identified in Table 1.
T ABLE 1 V EGETATION M ANAGEMENT L EADING I NDICATORS
Performance Indicator (Leading) Use of the indicator
Annual total of Vegetation Priority Code Annual occurrence rates and inter-annual occurrence
4
VP1, 2 and 3s vegetation records in the trends reveal the extent to which the inspection and
Hazardous Bushfire Risk Area. cutting regime is preventing vegetation from growing
inside the minimum clearance space. A decreasing trend, or
stable trend at a near-zero level is desirable.
Number of spans identified for trimming Annual occurrence rates and inter-annual occurrence
with current year code. trends reveal the extent to which the annual volume of
current treatment cycle vegetation is increasing or
decreasing. Stable or decreasing trend desirable.
Annual total of Other Responsible Party Annual occurrence rates and inter-annual occurrence
(ORP) Vegetation Priority Code VP1, 2 and trends reveal the extent to which the annual volume of
3s outstanding after 90 days. non-compliant ORP vegetation, not acted upon in a
reasonable timeframe by the ORP, is increasing or
decreasing. Stable or decreasing trend desirable, noting
that beyond CP-PAL’s action to report non-compliant
vegetation and issue reminder notices when action is not
taken, action to reduce the occurrence of this indicator
rests with Councils.
Hazard Tree removals Annual find rates and inter-annual trends in the numbers of
trees found and removed from the network. There may be
an initially high number of hazard tree reporting and action
arising from program initiation and emphasis, which should
be followed by a decreasing trend as identifiable hazard
trees are progressively removed from the network. The
increased focus on hazard trees saw 350 hazard tree spans
actioned during 2016.
Number of rework spans arising from Annual numbers of rework requirements is an indicator of
Quality Audits. contractor performance, and by extrapolation, whole VM
program implementation quality.
Leading indicators will be compiled, analysed and reported annually.
4 Code VP1, 2 and 3s is attributed to vegetation that is inside the regulated Clearance Space, with Code VP1 being for vegetation that is
touching or assessed as likely to touch conductors.
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3.2 V EG E T A TI O N M AN A GE M E N T L A GG I N G I N DI C A TO R S
CP-PAL’s lagging indicators for vegetation management are identified in Table 2.
T ABLE 2 V EGETATION M ANAGEMENT L AGGING I NDICATORS
Performance Indicator (Lagging) Use of performance measure
Safety – Bushfire: HBRA ground fires Annual HBRA occurrence and inter-annual occurrence trends for
from vegetation inside the minimum fires caused by intact vegetation growth contact with overhead
clearance space. assets. A degree of inter-annual volatility due to inter-annual
variability in fire season conditions can be expected, so 6 year
rolling trend analysis may be appropriate.
Safety – Bushfire: HBRA ground fires Annual HBRA occurrence and inter-annual occurrence trends for
from Hazard Trees. fires caused by vegetation by means other than the above
category. A degree of inter-annual volatility due to inter-annual
variability in fire season conditions can be expected, so 6 year
rolling trend analysis may be appropriate.
Safety – Electrical: Electric shocks Annual occurrence and inter-annual occurrence trends for electric
caused by vegetation for which CP-PAL shocks. Stable inter-annual trend at zero incidents desirable.
is responsible.
Reliability: Annual total of STPIS cost Annual total and inter-annual total trends indicate whether the
attributable to vegetation. reliability impacts attributable to vegetation are increasing or
decreasing. A degree of inter-annual volatility can be expected so 6
year rolling trend analysis may be appropriate.
Compliance: EnergySafe Victoria Major Indicator of CP-PAL’s compliance with regulatory obligations for
Non-Compliance notices issued vegetation clearance.
attributable to vegetation.
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4 VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE
CP-PAL’s vegetation management program performance since 2011 is documented in this section.
4.1 I M PA C T S – P ER FO R M A N C E Q U AN TI T A T I V E AN AL YS I S
CP-PAL’s recent vegetation management performance can be appraised through analysis of CP-PAL’s system of
leading and lagging performance indicators. These indicators provide for annual quantification of various
criteria relevant to performance, with leading indicators pertaining to vegetation clearance compliance, hazard
tree removals, and the quality of vegetation contractor works, as well as lagging indicators pertaining to fire
starts, electrical shock incidents, and network reliability. Performance against leading indicators is collated at
Table 3, and against lagging indicators at Table 4.
T ABLE 3 V EGETATION MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE ASSESSED AGAINST LEADING INDICATORS
a
Performance Indicator (Leading) 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
b
Annual total of VP Coded 26,771 17,106 7,169 6,372 16,232 27,596
vegetation records in the c
5212
Hazardous Bushfire Risk Area.
Number of spans identified for 36,510 56,162 59,107 50,413 59,694 61297
trimming with current year code.
Annual total of Other No data available pre 2016 onwards 7,000

Responsible Party (ORP) VP
Coded outstanding after 90 days.
Hazard Tree removals 2 3 61 106 66 350
Number of rework spans arising No data available pre 2016 onwards 185
from Cutting Quality Audits.
Table 3 notes:
a 2016 – Definition of VP coded has been adjusted to reflect 2015 regulations (formally 55 and 56s).
b Comparable to years 2011 to 2015
c New interpretation.
Table 3 above shows how CP-PAL’s VM leading indicators have been tracking between 2011 and 2016.
In relation to the occurrence of VP Coded vegetation records in HBRA areas, occurrences followed a declining
trend from 2011 to 2014 – a desirable trend. However, in 2015, occurrences kicked back up significantly above
2013 and 2014 levels, but still below 2011 and 2012 levels. CP-PAL attributes the 2015 result to VM contractor
issues, as during this period CP-PAL’s VM contractor became insolvent, and CP-PAL pursued new VM strategy
directions. CP-PAL considers that some legacy issues from that event may also affect this indicator in 2016,
however, it is predicted that substantially improved performance will be evident from 2017 onwards.
With regard to the volume of current year cut code vegetation indicator results, a similar, but smaller
magnitude effect to that observed for VP coded occurrences can be seen, although the 2011 result appears
low.
With regard to Hazard Tree removals, prior to 2014, recorded Hazard Tree removal rates were negligible.
Although a formal Hazard Tree removal program was not in place from 2013 to 2015, 233 hazard trees were
identified and removed during that period. With the introduction of a more formalized and methodical Hazard
Tree program from 2016 onwards, CP-PAL predicts an increase in Hazard Tree removals in 2016 to 2018, which
are likely to decline as hazard trees are progressively reduced around the network.
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Table 4 Impact of vegetation on CP-PAL’s network
Performance Indicator 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

(Lagging)
Safety – Bushfire: HBRA fires 0 1 1 1 3 0

from vegetation inside the
minimum clearance space.
Note; 2011 – 2015 include LBRA and
HBRA
Safety – Bushfire: HBRA fires 9 14 22 12 8 3

from Hazard Trees. Note; 2011 –
2015 include LBRA and HBRA
Safety – Electrical: Electric 0 0 0 0 0 0

shocks caused by vegetation
for which CP-PAL is
responsible.
Reliability: Annual total of $12,368,337 $10,272,667 $14,696,007 $11,965,007 $7,813,880 TBA

STPIS cost attributable to
vegetation.
Compliance: EnergySafe 0 0 0 0 0 0
Victoria Major Non-
Compliance notices issued
attributable to vegetation.
Table 4 above shows how CP-PAL’s VM lagging indicators have been tracking between 2011 and 2015.
Historically, vegetation-caused ground fire starts have not been sub-categorised on the basis of HBRA or LBRA
location, and whether resulting from vegetation inside or outside the minimum clearance space. From 2016
onwards, the new indicators will be used.
The only lagging indicator available for analysis over the 2011 to 2015 period is for STPIS attributable to
vegetation. During the period 2011 to 2014, annual total of STPIS varied from $10.3M to 14.7M with an
average of $12.3M. Pleasingly, in 2015 a significant drop to $7.8M occurred. It should be noted that the
vegetation component of STPIS is sensitive to storm and high wind event occurrence and inter-annual
variability is not unusual.
CP-PAL’s VM strategy improvement initiatives, including LiDAR inspection, in-house VM program management,
improved contractor work quality outcomes arising from consistent audit programs, and escalation initiatives
for ORP Code non-compliance, are expected to improve performance in relation to this indicator.
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4.2 P R O PO R TI O N O F FI R E I G N I T I O N S AT T RI B U TA B L E T O V EG E T A TI O N
Vegetation-caused fires as a proportion of total fires started on CP-PAL’s network for the period 2011 to 2015
are shown at Figure 5.
F IGURE 5 F IRE START BY CAUSE PIE CHARTS 2011 TO 2015
Figure 5 shows that vegetation is responsible for a relatively small proportion of fire starts from CP-PAL’s
network. The CitiPower network area is all within LBRA where fire starts are unlikely to have significant
impacts. In the Powercor network area, during the period 2011 to 2015, 6% of all fires on the network were
caused by vegetation.
4.3 U N PL AN N ED N E TW O RK O U T A G E C O N TR I B U TI O N A T T RI B U T AB L E TO V EG E TA T I O N
Over the period 2011 to 2015 the contribution of vegetation to unplanned network SAIDI is for both the
Powercor and CitiPower networks is shown at Figure 6.
F IGURE 6 C ONTRIBUTION OF VEGETATION TO UNPLANNED NETWORK SAIDI
As can be seen from Figure 6 above, vegetation contributes 11% and 15% of unplanned SAIDI on the Powercor
and CitiPower networks respectively.
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PROCEDURE Vegetation Management
CitiPower Pty Powercor Australia Ltd
4.4 V EG E T A TI O N M AN A GE M E N T A C TI VI T Y M E T RI C S
The key controls for vegetation related risk are:
1. Inspect vegetation clearance to identify vegetation requiring remediation: This control has been
implemented extensively across all spans across the network, with inspection conducted annually for all
spans in HBRA, 2 yearly for CP, and 3 yearly cycles for PAL LBRA (see Table 5 for annual program metrics).
2. Action (clear – trim, cut, clear/remove, or kill) vegetation reported for remediation: This control has
been implemented extensively across all spans assessed to require vegetation clearance, with an annual
program of vegetation treatment works conducted. See Table 5 for annual program metrics.
3. Audit vegetation clearance compliance and contractor performance: This control has been implemented
selectively across the CP-PAL network during the period 2012/13 – 2015/16, with vegetation treatment
works audited annually on the network. See Table 5 for annual program metrics.
4. Additional bushfire risk mitigation controls outside of the vegetation management program include:
 Protection system design and function (CP-PAL risk control)
 Network operation, including fire danger level-triggered changes to protection system operation
settings (CP-PAL risk control)
 Fault response crew deployment (CP-PAL risk control)
 Fire and emergency service incident response and management (outside CP-PAL control)
T ABLE 5 V EGETATION M ANAGEMENT ACTIVITY M ETRICS 2012– 2015
Vegetation management 12 13 14 15 16
activity metric
Spans inspected 376,000 400,000 488,000 329,000 561,554
Spans cut. 51,919 55,675 46,005 56,035 61,297
Cut Spans audited New indicator available from 2016 onwards 6,385
4.5 E FF EC T OF V E GE T A TI O N R I S K C O N T R O L S
From a network tree population exposure level estimated to exceed 10 million trees, vegetation clearance works
are applied to approximately 50 – 70,000 spans per annum greatly reducing the quantity of vegetation contact
events that would otherwise occur.
Figure 7 below is compiled from vegetation management and major fault data from 2009 to 2015, and fire start
data from 2012 to 2015. It is indicative of how CP-PAL’s vegetation management serves to mitigate vegetation
contact-caused bushfire risk.
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PROCEDURE Vegetation Management Procedure
Vegetation-caused fires starts resulting in

claims (2010-2015): 2
Annual vegetation-caused fire starts in

HBRA: 6
Annual fire starts caused by vegetation:
Inside Clearance: 4 Outside Clearance: 19
Major faults caused by vegetation:

Inside Clearance: 14 Outside Clearance: 32
Spans cut annually: ~ 50 to 70,000
Vegetated spans: ~ 292,000

Network tree exposure: > 10 million
F IGURE 7 P ERFORMANCE M EASURES 2012 - 2015
CP-PAL’s principal means of reducing vegetation-generated risk is keeping vegetation clear of the minimum
clearance space. Through implementation of CP-PAL’s vegetation inspection and clearance program, from a
network tree exposure exceeding 10 million trees, vegetation-caused major faults are limited to an average of 46
annually, with storm events a major contributing causal factor. From these, an average of 23 vegetation-caused fire
starts occur each year, with only 4 attributable to vegetation which has grown inside the minimum clearance space.
Of these vegetation-caused faults, only a proportion is caused by vegetation for which CP-PAL is responsible. On
the CitiPower network, most vegetation-caused faults are attributable to Council-managed vegetation. On the
Powercor network, on average around 85% of vegetation-caused faults are attributable to CP-PAL managed
vegetation, however these are mostly (more than two thirds) attributable to vegetation outside the Clearance Zone
which fails and then falls on, or is blown into overhead lines.
Application of an annual inspection cycle and larger Clearance Space dimensions in HBRA further reduces the
proportion of fires that start in fire-prone areas where bushfire risk is highest.
On days of Total Fire Ban, additional mitigation actions including adjustment of auto-re-close settings and
disconnection of code non-compliant Private Electric Lines serves to further mitigate vegetation-caused bushfire
risk.
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5 VEGETATION MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

This section provides an overview of the recent change in vegetation management strategy pursued by CP-PAL, and
the Vegetation Management Strategy model presently adopted.
5.1 O V E R VI EW O F R EC EN T C H AN G ES I N CP-PAL’ S V E G E T AT I O N M AN AG E MEN T S T R A T EG Y
Having taken the vegetation management function back in-house after more than 18 years with external contractor
delivery, CP-PAL is presently in a transition phase from a fully outsourced vegetation management model to a more
strategic, internally managed, data-driven, risk-based model of vegetation management.
Essential to pursuing this vegetation management strategy change has been the acquisition and implementation of
CP-PAL’s Vegetation Management System (VMS). The VMS provides CP-PAL the means to import, collate and
analyse vegetation data collected on a daily basis, principally by contractors while conducting vegetation
inspections and works program activities, but also by CP-PAL’s VM Team. The data collected in CP-PAL’s VMS
provides CP-PAL with an evidence-based understanding, on a span-by-span basis of the quantity and condition of
its vegetation exposure, including find-rates, current and future year works volumes.
The VMS also provides CP-PAL with an efficient means of packaging, prioritizing and allocating vegetation works
packages to its contractors, monitoring works program delivery progress, as well as designing, managing, and
recording works quality assurance audit program works and results.
The VMS was implemented in late 2015, and thus is still in the process of capturing a full, baseline, quality-assured
vegetation data set for the network covering all vegetated spans. The VMS has been populated with pre 2015 data
supplied by CP-PAL’s former VM Contractor, however, this data is of variable quality.
Hence, CP-PAL’s current VM strategy and program can be said to be in the early stages of implementing major
reforms, the performance of which it is too early to evaluate. Reforms implemented to-date include:
 Implementation of a vegetation management model with the management function undertaken

internally, with associated establishment of internal vegetation management capability;
 Implementation of an in-house Vegetation Management System into which contractor-collected VM data
is imported, facilitating improved strategy and program planning and analysis by CP-PAL;
 Initiation of an internally resourced contractor works audit model to provide CP-PAL confidence in VM
works contractor performance and regulatory compliance;
 Transition from ground-based vegetation inspection to a combined aerial and ground based inspection
system, in which LiDAR inspection is the primary means of determining vegetation clearance,
complemented by targeted ground inspection as the primary means of hazard tree inspection;
 Cutting specification changes (to Transition distance) aimed at improving the performance of cutting
interventions;
 Specification of integrated VM treatment (combining cutting, herbicide and tree growth regulator
treatments) requirements for contractors aimed at preventing escalation of future vegetation treatment
volumes; and
 Formalising of a Hazard Tree inspection and cutting process to reduce Hazard Tree risks, with the following
key process specifications:
o Spans with vegetation that can contact the line if it fails will be Hazard Tree inspected by a
Certificate 4 Arborist;
o Arborists will set the Hazard Tree inspection cycle post initial inspection;
o Any trees determined at time of inspection as likely to fail in the next 3 years will be prioritized
for removal within the normal cutting program cycle;
o All spans with vegetation that could contact the line if it failed in BCA’s will be inspected annually
for Hazard Trees;
78
o Spans which are ground-inspected in 2016 may not be prioritized for hazard tree inspection
during 2017;
o Spans Lidar-inspected in 2016 with vegetation that could contact the line if it failed, will be hazard
tree assessed in 2017.
The above VM changes represent a comprehensive package of VM reforms. These reforms will require a period of
relatively stable implementation to bed-down practice and optimise delivery capacity. Further, the reform package
may require further work/studies to leverage the improved annual vegetation growth data collection enabled
through LiDAR inspection, for more precisely accounting for vegetation growth rates in forecasting cut cycles,
future work volumes and cost projections.
In selecting its vegetation management strategy, CP-PAL identified and assessed a range of options (summary
options analysis at Appendix A). CP-PAL’s Vegetation Management Strategy for the period 2016 – 2022 is
summarised on the following pages.
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VEGETATION MANAGEMENT (VM) STRATEGY SUMMARY

2016 - 2021
1. Reduce bushfire risk as far as reasonably practicable 2. Reduce public safety risk as far as reasonably practicable
VEGETATION
MANAGEMENT 4. Improve network reliability by minimising vegetation-caused
3. Maintain vegetation clearance regulatory compliance
GOALS outages
5. Be a industry leader in vegetation management
CitiPower- Powercor (CP-PAL) has developed a system of performance indicators for monitoring and evaluating the performance of our
Vegetation Management Strategy.
LEADING INDICATORS LAGGING INDICATORS

Compliance:# Vegetation encroaching inside the Minimum Clearance Bushfire: # Ground fires caused by vegetation inside the Minimum Clearance
VM Space (MCS) – VP Coded vegetation Space
PERFORMANCE Program Volume:# Vegetation reported outside the MCS which requires Bushfire: # Ground fires caused by Hazard Trees falling in from outside the
FRAMEWORK cutting in the current year to prevent encroachment inside the MCS Clearance Space
ORP Compliance:# Timeframe for councils to rectify Vegetation inside Electrical Safety: # Electric shock incidents caused by vegetation for
the MCS once notified. which CP-PAL is responsible
Network reliability: Annual total of STPIS cost attributable to vegetation

Network Hazard Reduction:# Hazard Tree Removals
Compliance: Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) major non-compliance notices
Contract Compliance:# Rework spans arising from Quality Audits of
issued attributable to vegetation
Asplundh cutting
•VM is performed throughout the network asset life cycle. Vegetation clearance compliance and condition across the network is assessed
through a systematic vegetation inspection program. Inspections apply a risk-based prioritisation of vegetation requiring action the maintain
Minimum Clearance Space compliance and Hazard Tree management. Vegetation is cut by VM contractors using the most appropriate
method, through a systematic annual program of vegetation works.
INSPECTION STRATEGY PRIORITISATION STRATEGY VEGETATION ACTION STRATEGY

Cycle: HBRA & BCAs - Annual Vegetation is prioritised for action using a priority Minimum Clearance Space (MCS): All vegetation inside the
VM INSPECTION CP LBRA - 2 yearly coding system, based on line classification, MCS must be cleared in accordance CP-PAL VM Policy
PRIORITISATION PAL LBRA – 3 yearly vegetation proximity, HBRA, BCA or LBRA category,
Regrowth Space (RS): The spans with a current year cut code
& ACTION + Special inspection for major events and whether in or outside the CFA declared fire
are to be actioned
danger period. The assessed priority coding is
STRATEGIES Method: LiDAR supplemented with recorded in the Vegetation Management System Hazard Space (HS): All trees assessed to be ‘Hazard Trees’ are
ground-based visual inspection (VMS). to be actioned
What: CP-PAL network and associated LiDAR method: Vegetation is priority coded by Reduction: CP-PAL targeted vegetation removals and
connected private electric automated computation using the CP-PAL’s herbicide to improve program efficiency
lines. Inspect for vegetation vegetation priority coding algorithm.
clearance and Hazard Trees.
HBRA = Hazardous Bushfire Risk Area Ground-based method: Vegetation is priority coded ORP Reported for action to responsible owner & ESV
LBRA – Low Bushfire Risk Area by the inspector. The year vegetation will grow
POELs Reported for action to responsible owner (POEL)
BCA= Bushfire Construction area inside the MCS is determined by consideration of
tree species condition and site factors.
INSPECTION PROCESS RISK-BASED PRIORITISATION PROCESS VEGETATION ACTION PROCESS

LiDAR inspection: LiDAR inspection uses an VM is a high volume, cyclic annual work program,
For vegetation that is CP-PAL’s responsibility to
aircraft mounted remote sensing system to designed, managed and quality-assured by CP-PAL, with
delivery of vegetation inspection and action functions out- action, CP-PAL will action vegetation:
acquire 3D point cloud data providing accurate
sourced to contractors. 1. Inside clearance as a priority, according the to
measurement of vegetation clearances. It can be
the assigned priorityde;
applied across the network except in No Fly 1. Inside MCSe – VP1; Vegetation in first 10% of MCS.
Zones (where ground inspection is required). VP2; Vegetation in middle 70% of MCS. 2. Outside clearance – as scheduled via the
Ground-based visual vegetation inspection VP3;Vegetation in last 20% of MCS for energised HV Vegetation Annual Execution Plan (VAEP)
and LV energised assets. (Excludes
process applies in both HBRA and LBRA, and Integrated VM, including the use of herbicides,
telecommunication cable and assets)
requires identification of: tree growth regulators, tree removal and
2. Inside or will grow into VBS: 17; A span where
1. The applicable vegetation MCS is mechanical clearing are the preferred option in
vegetation is in the CitiPower Powercor Vegetation
determined based on below; Buffer Space or will be within the calendar year. The spans where long term benefits may be gained
VBS is within 1 years growth of the MCS (Nominally from reducing future clearance work volumes.
HBRA or LBRA area, line type and voltage,
1 meter of MCS) Councils with Declared Areas are notified of Code
span length and segment, sag and sway
3. Outside VBS but requires action in the current year non-compliant vegetation conditions that require
VM INSPECTION allowance calculation;
to prevent it encroaching into the VBS or MCS: action (and ESV is informed) - Councils are
PRIORITISATION 1. The Responsible Party (CP-PAL or others); Assigned current year code; responsible for their own vegetation.
2. Code non-compliant vegetation inside the 4. Outside clearance and not requiring action in the
& ACTION MCS, for allocation of a VP Code VP1, VP2 or current year: Vegetation which will require action Affected Persons notification process undertaken
PROCESS VP3; within the next 7 years (Code for the year it will grow 14 to 60 days in advance of scheduled vegetation
inside MCS). action.
3. For vegetation outside the MCS, growth
Hazard trees are referred for action in the current year
potential is assessed to determine when the program. Vegetation cutting extent should be to the
trees are in or likely to grow inside the lowest/furthest previous cut points, or the
LiDAR method: LiDAR data provides the means for
Vegetation Buffer Space, for coding with the transition space applicable to the area, whichever
accurately determining the proximity of vegetation to
year it will enter the VBS; each line. Vegetation inside the MCS is allocated VP Code is the greater.
4. For trees outside the MCS and RS: Spans depending on proximity. Vegetation less than 1 metre
outside the MCS (the VBS) is allocated a current year
All CP-PAL responsibility Hazard Trees are
with no trees ever likely to grow inside the
priority code., Vegetation less than 1 metre outside the actioned.
MCS (Code NVS);
VBS is allocated a current year priority code, and then for
5. Identify & classify Hazard Trees; All vegetation action and revised tree codes are to
each further 0.5 metre increment, an additional year is
Inspector recommends treatment for each tree added, up to a maximum of 7 years from the current year. be recorded on the Contractors mobility device, in
(trim, remove, mechanical, herbicide, slash, etc). accordance with contractual requirements, for
Ground-based method: Vegetation is priority coded by
upload into CP-PAL’s VMS.
Lidar identifies spans with tall trees, which are the inspector. The year vegetation will grow inside the
then targeted for Hazard Tree assessment by MCS or VBS is determined by consideration of tree species
& condition and site factors. Guidance for determining
Arborists.
regrowth allowance is provided in CP-PALs Vegetation
Reference Guide.
Page 1 of 2
80
VEGETATIONMANAGEMENT (VM) Summary

STRATEGY 2016- 2021
CP -PAL’s 2017 vegetation program scope and high level schedule is outlined below:

Fire Season
Inspection
(CP-PAL 27,000)
Hazard Tree ~6,000
VM ANNUAL
WORKS 2017 HBRA ~46,000 spans. Bushfire safety 2018 HBRA ~46,000 spans. Bushfire safety
PROGRAM
INDICATIVECutting
LBRA ~27,000 spans.
SCOPE &
SCHEDULE


AUDIT SAMPLE PROCESS

Audit scope : 10% of work package area selected for Quality Audit. Sample randomly generated by VMS. Audits undertaken by CP -PAL Engagement &
Quality Officers. Each year, in each sub -contractor area, one or more 20% audits will be undertaken for comparison against 10% a udit
results.
AUDIT STANDARD
VM WORKS Audit pass/fail : Pass = 100% compliance to contract specification; all other results constitute a Fail.
QUALITY AUDIT
AUDIT FAILURE CONSEQUENCE MANAGEMENT
Operational : Failed work packages are returned to the Contractor for rework, identifying the number and nature of fail items, but not spec ifi c locations.
The Contractor is to re -inspect the failed work package, identify failed items and take remedial action. When the Contractor r eports re -
work is complete, CP -PAL will complete a second random 10% audit. If the Contractor fails again, CP -PAL will undertake a 100% au dit of the
work package, at the Contractor’s cost.
Financial: Payment for a work package is not approved until the work package has passed CP=PAL’s quality audit.
PERFORMANCE MONITORING
Performance indicators : CP-PAL’s system of leading and lagging indicators
will be used to evaluate performance againstdesired trends/targets.
Performance evaluation will be undertaken annually. Performance evaluation in conjunction with monitoring of industry
VM STRATEGY technology and practice improvement opportunities will inform and drive
VM strategy continuous improvement.
PERFORMANCE
MONITORING, PERFORMANCE REPORTING
REPORTING & Performance reports : A weekly program status report incorporating performance status is prepared and provided to
-PAL
CP senior management.
CONTINUOUS Annual VM Program level performanceevaluation will be undertakenannually and reported to CP-PAL Senior Management.
IMPROVEMENT
PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT
Performance evaluation in conjunction with monitoring of industry technology and practice improvement opportunities willrminfo
and drive VM
strategy continuousimprovement. Opportunities for improvement are assessed through -CPPAL’s corporate business case evaluation process.
Page 2 of 2
81
6 Strategy Options Analysis
6.1 Inspection
Inspection strategy is keystone component of the overall vegetation management strategy. The inspection process
is essentially about targeting the most suitable types of vegetation treatment works activities to the right
vegetation in the right places at the right times. Optimising the scope of the annual treatment works program has a
high dependency on inspection strategy and program outcomes.
Inspection strategies need to optimise discrimination between higher risk/priority vegetation and lower
risk/priority vegetation for action. Strategies biased to over-reporting of vegetation requiring treatment lead to
over-scoped treatment works programs with the potential consequence of over-servicing/excessive cost and/or
inability to complete treatment cycles on time. Strategies biased to under-reporting of vegetation requiring
treatment lead to under-scoped treatment works programs with the potential consequence of undetected or
unreported vegetation risks and with increased safety and reliability consequences, and potentially also escalation
of future work volumes.
CitiPower Powercor considered the relative cost and risk benefits of new developments in Lidar capabilities for
implementation verses traditional ground based inspections. Factors risk of tree line contact, adjustment of cycles,
hazard tree information (refer Option analysis 3), and value.
Inspection program decision points
1. Inspection method.
Option Strategy and analysis Approximate Risk reduction

Cost ranking ranking
1 Ground-based visual inspection

$ 
2 Inspection using LiDAR to maximum extent.

$$ 
3 LiDAR inspection supplemented by ground inspection of

$$ 
no fly zones & LiDAR targeted hazard tree areas
Analysis
A minor cost premium is paid for Lidar versus traditional ground base inspection.
The accuracy of Lidar data will reduce cutting by removing the inaccuracies and
general conservative assessment taken by ground inspectors. Other business uses
for captured Lidar data eg design, conductor clearance, and asset inspection, the
business has chosen to utilise Lidar as the primary inspection tool.
LiDAR and ground inspection combination strategies have the advantage that:
 They can be implemented on all spans;
 LiDAR gives consistent and accurate clearance measurement, significantly more accurate,
reliable and more comprehensive than ground inspection;
 LiDAR provides quantitative evidence base for clearance;
 LiDAR has additional application potential for assessment of growth rates that are not
practicable using ground inspection;
 LiDAR gives work volume in a timely manner;
 LiDAR improved the targeting of ground hazard tree inspections;
 CP-PAL has experienced that the competence of ground inspectors is highly variable;
 Ground inspections cover any spans unsuitable for LiDAR;
 Ground-based inspections well-executed, can identify vegetation conditions that can’t be
detected by LiDAR,
82
 Historically LiDAR has proven to be reliable in identifying vegetation requiring clearance;

 All necessary vegetation data can be captured using LiDAR;
 There is adequate competition from LiDAR and ground inspection providers;
 CP-PAL’s experience is that costs are comparable between LiDAR and ground based
methods.
 Targeted hazard tree inspections of spans where trees have capacity to contact conductors if
they fail.
CP-PAL historically have proven the combination of the strategies above give accuracy and no
increased risks. Majority of LiDAR gives opportunity to assess with more details, growth rates, and
improved discrimination between spans requiring action.
LiDAR if required for small scale inspection processes can be less timely than
ground based inspection, however at the bulk inspection package level LiDAR is
considerably faster.
Lidar compatible spans; 553,400
Spans that require traditional inspections; 8154
2. Selection of inspection cycle frequency.
Option Strategy and analysis Cost ranking Risk reduction

ranking
1 Annual inspection cycle across full network

$$$$ 
2 Two year inspection cycle across full network

$ 
3 Annual inspection in HBRA; two yearly inspection in CP

$$$ 
LBRA; three year inspection in in PAL LBRA (current
strategy)
4 Annual inspection in HBRA using LiDAR, and two yearly

$$ 
inspection in LBRA both CP & PAL with non-vegetated
areas excluded (maximum of 5 years) based on LiDAR
confirmation (option under consideration)
Analysis
For the distribution network, a primary driver of network vegetation inspection cycle selection the
priority of reducing public safety risk particularly from bushfire in extreme and high bushfire risk
areas, but also for network reliability.
The lowest risk options is Option 1. The lowest cost options are Options 2 and 4. Potentially, CP-
PAL considers that LiDAR inspection will enable large areas of unnecessarily inspected spans to be
excluded from inspection generating inspection program savings with no additional risks, with the
potential that Option 4 could be less expensive than Option 2 depending on number of spans
excluded through LiDAR analysis.
On this basis, CP-PAL considers Option 4 should be examined further to be a potential
replacement for Option 3 which is the current option. To undertake this further analysis, evidence
of clearance non-compliance in 2 year versus 3 year inspection areas needs to be undertaken, and
potentially STPIS impact, as well as cost differential. There are ~100,000 NVS spans in PAL HBRA
~20,000 of which PAL consider could revert to a 5 year cycle on the basis they are multiple spans
in a row and pole inspectors visit the locations every 2.5 years and can confirm Lidar capture
information remains the same.
83
The potential risk for unforeseen vegetation growth in excluded spans is managed by the 5 year
maximum timeframe limitation that is proposed to apply. CP-PAL considers excluded areas will
apply in low rainfall areas where growth is slow, and in cleared agricultural landscapes where
trees and tall growing shrubs are absent.
The low impact of STPIS in the Powercor LBRA and significant level of Non-compliance of council
managed trees should be further assess when considering a change from 3 and 2 year inspection
cycles respectively.
Additional matters raised are to conduct re-analysis of how HBRA and LBRA areas are defined,
and if there are opportunities to improve the basis for differentiating areas conduct strategy
options analysis. CP-PAL consider remaining cycle and reconsider for budget 2018.
3. Hazard tree inspection strategy HBRA and BCAs.

Note: No targeted hazard tree inspections in urban LBRA as fire ignition in these areas is highly unlikely.

ranking
1 Current Ground based inspection of all spans and hazard

$$ 
trees.
2 LiDAR inspection only with hazard trees only detected

$ 
opportunistically where cutting works and going on
3 LiDAR inspection supplemented by a LiDAR analysis

$$$ 
triggered selection of spans based on tree height for
ground inspection annually

$$ 
triggered selection of spans based on tree height, for
inspection by a ground based inspector (not arborist)
plus filtering out spans which have been cut within 2.5
years (equivalent to inspections for decay in poles)

$$ 
triggered selection of spans based on tree height, plus
filtering out spans which have been cut within a cycle
determined by a Level 4 arborist. BCA areas will be
inspected for hazard trees annually. (note: inspections
to be done by Level 4 arborists) (selected option)
84
Analysis
All options would be applied to HBRA and BCA’s, noting that the re-analysis of risk areas is flagged
to be conducted which can be used to determine if additional areas are prudent to include. Lidar
cannot determine the health condition of a tree.
Option 1 continue the existing ground based inspection process, risk and cost are similar to the
chosen option 4, however option 4 will see the deployment of Arborist’s to spans to assess
vegetation, rather than a lesser qualified inspector, and spans will be targeted consistently to
through the accuracy of Lidar nominating spans with potential vegetation rather than subjectivity
of a ground based inspector.
Option 2 is the highest risk due to opportunistic inspection only where cutting is being
undertaken, therefore leaving potentially high numbers of spans without hazard tree inspections.
This option is not considered defendable. While the implementation cost is relatively low, there
are likely to be significant costs arising from the consequences of the high risk, when hazard trees
that are not detected due to the opportunistic inspection process fall in lines and start fires.
Option 3 is the highest cost due to continuing annual ground based inspection frequency.
Option 4 is aligned with an established cycle for wood pole maintenance which incorporates
decay detection, however there is no validation as to whether this would be a relevant frequency
for live and dead trees. Option 4 may be a viable option but may need to be tested with scientific
rigour.
Option 5 ensures that all spans are inspected for hazard trees and has the benefit that a subject
matter expert (Level 4 arborist) is undertaking the inspection work and setting future inspection
cycles which may have benefits both on the risk reduction side and cost reduction side. ~31,000
spans are currently projected on the network requiring hazard tree inspections, with ~450 spans
located in BCAs (Actual span numbers will be captured as part of 2017 inspection cycle). This
option targets the spans with tall vegetation that may have a hazard tree with capacity to contact
a line.
Due to the projected consequences of a fire start in BCAs and relative low numbers of trees that
can affect the line in these area, an annual inspection for hazard tree will be conducted.
85
6.2 V EG E T A TI O N T R E A TM EN T
Vegetation treatment is the major vegetation management activity and the highest cost OPEX component of the
vegetation management strategy. The treatment process is essentially about remediating the vegetation found
during inspections to require action to prevent/remedy growth inside clearance and to address other significant
vegetation risks. Optimising the scope of the annual treatment works program has a high dependency on
inspection strategy and program outcomes.
Vegetation treatment types have varying degrees of effectiveness. Trimming branches and shoots is very often a
temporary remedy, noting that vegetation will typically respond to being trimmed by reshooting from near the cut
section. New shoots may grow quickly and be less securely attached to the branch or stem than the original section
cut. Many tree species if cut back to ground level are able to reshoot strongly from below the cut, often with
multiple stems replacing the single stem that was cut, and are able to regrow quickly on account of their well-
established root system and in many native Eucalypt species also using the resources of their lignotuber. Unless an
effective herbicide treatment is applied in combination with cutting, the cutting treatment alone will very often be
a temporary remedy requiring recurrent treatments in future years. Trees adjacent to easements or cleared areas
under clearance spaces can disperse seed into these areas and where the seed finds favourable conditions for
germination and establishment, additional tree recruitment in previously clear areas can and does occur. If not
promptly treated these can grow to dimensions for which less expensive easement maintenance methods such as
slashing are no longer possible, necessitating substantially more expensive treatments such as larger mulching
machinery or labour intensive hand cutting and poisoning.
Accordingly, application of the most efficient and appropriate treatment or combinations of treatments is required
to optimise treatment effectiveness.
1. Selection of vegetation clearance cutting scope.
Option Strategy and analysis Cost ranking Risk

reduction
ranking
1 Cut all vegetation in minimum clearance space and within the

$ 
Regrowth Space up to 1 m from the Vegetation Buffer Space
(selected option for LiDAR)

$$$ 
Regrowth Space up to 2 m from the VBS
3 Cut all vegetation in minimum clearance space. Determine

$$ 
cutting priority of vegetation within the VBS and Regrowth
Space based on vegetation inspector’s assessment of the year
that the vegetation will next grow inside clearance (selected
option for ground inspection)
Analysis
Historically, NSP has cut all vegetation within the Clearance and Regrowth Spaces. The cutting of
vegetation in the Regrowth Space serves to reduce the likelihood of vegetation growing into the
minimum clearance space, and therefore reduces electric shock, fire and reliability risk on the
distribution network.
Options 1 and 2 are the lowest risk options. Option 1 although it provides less separation than
Option 2, the degree of separation allowed for has been found to be adequate historically
evidence by the low number of code VP1s identified through LiDAR.
Option 3 is considered a higher risk option principally because of the potential for human error in
assessing the clearance distance and the amount that the vegetation will regrow.
Conclusion:
NSP has selected Option 1 for LiDAR and Option 3 for ground inspections.
86
6.3 Audit strategy

NSP’s distribution network vegetation management program is a large program involving:
 One or more inspection contractors;
 Two or more VM works contractors;
 Annualised operating expenditure of ~$30M;
 Causal factor relationship to one of NSPs major risks – Bushfire Risk.
Accordingly, there are strong business imperatives for NSP to undertake a robust annual VM audit program across
the vegetation inspection and cutting services implemented by contractors are performed and completed
according to the Technical Specifications of the contract.
Inspection contractor including LiDAR audit
On the network, NSP engages vegetation inspection and clearance contractors whose inspections are focussed on
vegetation clearance and condition, and associated clearance requirements for the network. However, as
inspection contractors must cover a high proportion of the network annually (all HBRA) and deliver to prescriptive,
time-bound inspection cycles, there is a risk that contractors may shortcut inspection quality/completeness to meet
timelines, particularly if they experiencing difficulty meeting delivery timelines. A key audit imperative is to ensure
that vegetation inside clearance and regrowth spaces are not missed during inspections, and that young
regeneration/sapling stage RS Code vegetation beneath clearance and regrowth spaces is identified for removal.
VM clearance works contractor audit
NSP engages vegetation clearance contractors whose work is focussed on trimming back vegetation from within
the clearance and regrowth space, and on removing young tree regeneration/saplings from transmission
easements, and from under clearance and regrowth spaces on the distribution network. Poor work quality can lead
to increased grow-in fault occurrence and ground fire ignition risk, and increased future trimming work/cost if
sapling removal opportunities are missed. Accordingly, the key audit imperative is to ensure that the clearance and
regrowth spaces are clear of vegetation after cutting, and that young regeneration/sapling stage RS Code
vegetation beneath clearance and regrowth spaces is removed / killed.
VM audit system
NSPs Engagement and Quality Team undertake auditing of services performed and provided by the Vegetation
Clearance Contractors on the network.
Distribution line vegetation works audit strategy options

1. Selection of appropriate audit effort level.

reduction
ranking
1 Apply a random low audit effort level (5%) to both inspection and
$ 
vegetation treatment works contractor, across the distribution
network, with the exception being 100% audit of spans cut in BCA
2 Apply a random moderate audit effort level (10%) to both

$$ 
inspection and vegetation treatment works contractor, across the
distribution network, with the exception being 100% audit of
spans cut in BCA. (current option)
3 Apply a random high audit effort level (20%) to both inspection

$$$ 
and vegetation treatment works contractor, across the distribution
4 Apply a targeted risk-based audit regime applying low audit effort

$$ 
(5%) to all inspection works and vegetation treatment works in
LBRA; and a moderate audit effort (10%) to vegetation treatment
87
works in HBRA, and 100% audit of spans cut in BCA
5 Apply a full 100% audit of all work to both inspection and

$$$$$ 
network
Analysis
CP-PAL audit program consists of many levels of observations/audits:
 Formal assessment listed below
 Asplundh General Forman audits reported on weekly consistent with CP-Pal findings
 Line condition observations – Reports to vegetation
 Sub-contract self-assessment – measured via rework levels
The most expensive audit option is Option 5. This would require audit resources many times
greater than the current level of resources and thus require hiring substantial number of quality
and engagement officers. Whilst 100% audit provides the highest possible confidence, at the
currently levels of audit CP-PAL already have highly satisfactory results and therefore the
substantial increase in resources makes Option 5 not justifiable.
The second most expensive audit option is Option 3. As the audits are applied by internal staff who
have other tasks, the extra cost involved would likely be for employment of additional audit
capacity. Options 1, 2 and 4 are assessed to be roughly equivalent in cost, even though fewer
audits is required under option 1, the distribution of audit effort is still the same.
In terms of risk, the highest risk is associated with the lowest audit effort being Option 1. This
option is not currently considered tolerable given the range of vegetation management changes
currently in the early stages of establishment. The remaining options provide an acceptable level of
risk, where Option 2 is the current option applied with highly satisfactory results approximately
95%.
If audit results did not remain highly satisfactory, then CP-PAL has the option to consider targeting
HBRA areas and/or increase the volume of auditing. However, these are not considered necessary
as part of the audit regime at present.
While normally CP-PAL’s audit strategy is a minimum 10% across the board at all times, CP-PAL
have the ability to increase the audit frequency on at least two occasions per year in a selected
location the audit sample size will be doubled for comparison against the effectiveness of the 10%
audit strategy.
Higher audit percentages have been undertaken by CP-PAL with no better results observed.
Accordingly, there is no evidence at this stage that a higher audit level will deliver a better result.
Should vegetation inspection or vegetation treatment program performance decline or be at sub-
optimal levels, alternative audit effort options may need to be reconsidered.
Further, while the overall quantum of audit effort has the above program bounds, higher or lower
levels of audit can be targeted to certain areas or contractors within these program bounds. Audit
program targeting will be influenced by a range of factors including contractor performance, and
historical find rates and issues.
The total audit volume is calculated from a percentage of the number of spans cut on a weekly
basis, although this may be increased where NSP considers prior poor performance by a contractor
warrants additional audit focus.
88
6.4 B U S H F I RE C O N S T RU C TI O N A RE A S T RA T EG Y
“Electric Line Construction Areas” (referred to by CP-PAL as Bushfire Construction Areas) are declared and gazetted
under the Electricity Safety (Bushfire Mitigation) Regulations 2013 (as amended by the Electricity Safety (Bushfire
Mitigation) Amendment Regulations 2016). In gazetted ELCAs (BCAs), the regulations require electricity distribution
networks to operate to heightened safety standards. Gazetted areas in CP-PAL’s network area are mapped below.
A range of electric line construction and operation requirements apply in BCA’s. Additionally a substantial bushfire
ignition disincentive/penalty scheme applies in BCAs with a maximum $2.5 million penalty applicable for electricity-
caused fire ignition within a BCA on a Total Fire Ban day (and other lesser penalties scaling down according to Fire
Danger Index).
CP-PAL’s vegetation management team have considered what vegetation management strategies may be prudent
to apply in these areas, considering various approaches, as analysed in this strategy options analysis. Vegetation
inspection in BCAs will be undertaken by LiDAR wherever possible, therefore risk reduction enhancement options
are principally directed to what vegetation clearance actions CP-PAL should pursue.
89
1. Vegetation clearance enhancement in BCAs.

reduction
ranking
1 Cut all woody vegetation within falling distance of lines

$$$$ 
(determined by LiDAR) of powerlines in the BCA
2 Maintain existing corridor widths and apply additional

$$$ 
branch/top-height reduction to prevent fall-ins, excluding
areas with REFCLs operating. (Most realistic option –
preferred)
3 Continue existing practice as for HBRA, except increase

$$ 
current year cutting trigger to 2m outside minimum
clearance.
4 Continue existing practice as for HBRA, with no

$ 
enhancements
90
Analysis
Option 4 would continue the existing HBRA vegetation management practice in BCAs. While CP-
PAL’s existing HBRA vegetation management practice has not resulted in high consequence
insurance claim fires, including on the highly adverse Black Saturday conditions, there is
potential for tree or branch failures to occur in the strong winds which occur in Total Fire Ban
days, with the potential that large fines could be incurred for fires occurring under such
conditions. Thus there is a significantly higher level of financial risk for CP-PAL in BCA’s than in
HBRA, therefore the vegetation team considers a higher level of risk management is prudent in
BCA’s. Accordingly option 4 is not preferred.
Option 3 would have the effect of reducing ‘grow-in’ potential, but would be unlikely to have
any effect on ‘fall-in’ vegetation caused fire potential. ‘Fall-in’ caused fires occur at about four
to five times the rate of ‘grow-in’ caused fires, therefore risk-based program enhancement for
BCAs should target reducing ‘fall-in’ risk. Accordingly, Option 3 is considered sub-optimal.
Both Options 1 and 2 will inevitably involve trees on private land and public land tenures, on
which the agreement of the landowner will be required to action trees beyond normal HBRA
cutting regimes. Hence both options 1 and 2 will involve a significant program of consultation
and negotiation with owners to implement.
Option 1 would involve tree removal, effectively widening existing corridors. This is likely to be
the least feasible option (due to tree owner objection to removal) and the most expensive to
implement. Whilst Option 2 will involve substantial cutting interventions to trees within falling
distance of lines, the degree of intervention is substantially less than complete removal, typically
involving top-height reduction and/or removal of overhangs and corridor-side branches. This
may be a more palatable and therefore realistic to many tree owners. The cost would be less
than for complete tree removal and would effectively be a one off establishment cost. It is likely
that a proportion of tree owners may object to the proposed top/branch cutting treatment.
Topping, lopping or branch removal would be to a degree that tree/branch failure will not
contact lines.
Costs of Option 2 would need to be estimated based on LiDAR inspection data, however,
preliminary estimates of cutting costs using ~1,000 spans projected using Lidar requiring
treatment, and costs averaging $800 per span to action give a preliminary coarse cost estimate
in the order of $800,000 (which is less than one third the cost associated with the maximum
possible fine for a single vegetation-caused fire in the BCA on a Total Fire Ban day. Network
areas with REFCL’s operating may be considered for exclusion from the enhanced vegetation
treatments on the basis REFCL’s may achieve an acceptable level of fall-in vegetation caused fire
risk reduction. Option 3 could be phased in over a 3 year period and implemented in conjunction
with the normal cutting program thus reducing implementation cost.
It is worth noting that progressive installation of Rapid Earth Fault Current Limiters over future
years will not prevent phase to phase fault-caused fires, which are is a significant fault mode
associated with vegetation fall-ins (vegetation fall-ins, particularly large branch failures, may
cause phase to phase contact without first causing phase to ground contact which would cause
REFCL operation).
Additional ongoing risk reduction measures for implementation in association with option 2
proposed are:
 a LiDAR targeted audit of BCAs by a suitably qualified arborist during December to
verify tree clearance in BCA. (This would likely involve less than 1000 spans at program
start, and then rapidly declining in volume because of the number of trees actioned
during the cutting phase).
 it is proposed that Fault Follow Up action for vegetation fall-in caused faults be
mandatory in the BCA.
Summary:
Option 2 for further scoping and business case development for possible inclusion in 2018
budget.
91
7 STRATEGY MONITORING AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
CP-PAL has developed a system of leading and lagging indicators for vegetation management. The system of
leading and lagging indicators is detailed in Section 3. Performance target levels for lagging indicators are detailed
in Table 7 in section 1.
This system of leading and lagging indicators and performance targets will be used to evaluate performance against
established targets. Performance evaluation will be undertaken annually.
7.1 M O N I TO RI N G O F L EA DI N G I N DI C A TO R S
The leading indicators relate to vegetation on the network, determined by the proximity of vegetation to
conductors:
 Annual total of VP coded vegetation records in the High Bushfire Risk Area;
 Number of spans for identified for trimming with current year code;
 Annual total of Other Responsible Party (ORP) VP coded spans outstanding after 90 days;
 Hazard Tree removals;
 Number of rework spans arising from Quality Audits.
Monitoring occurrence rates and inter-annual trends in these leading indicators provides a means of measuring the
performance of vegetation management activities in keeping vegetation clear of overhead assets, and the quantum
of vegetation that is likely to require treatment in future cutting cycles.
CP-PAL has only been collecting leading indicator data since acquiring and implemented its Vegetation
Management System in late 2015 (previous years data is from vegetation management contractor databases),
therefore is currently collecting baseline year data for its system of leading indicators.
7.2 M O N I TO RI N G O F L AG GI N G I N DI C A TO R S
The lagging indicators relate to the occurrence of different impacts arising from vegetation-caused faults on the
network, principally bushfires, electric shock incidents and reliability impacts. Monitoring occurrence rates and
inter-annual trends in these lagging indicators provides a means of measuring the vegetation management
performance through identifying the degree of vegetation impacts that were not prevented by vegetation
management activities.
CP-PAL has been collecting lagging indicator data for many years, and therefore already has robust baseline data
which has been used to inform the development of performance targets, against which annual lagging indicator
performance is assessed.
Whilst a range of reports are required associated with tracking vegetation management program delivery leading
up to and during the bushfire season, a formal annual review of performance against CP-PAL’s program targets will
be conducted. Where performance at the leading or lagging indicator level is not as expected, more detailed causal
factors analysis will be undertaken.
7.3 F AU L T FO L L O W - U P A N D I N V ES TI G A TI O N
CP-PAL conducts fault follow-up procedures for vegetation-caused faults in accordance with the CP-PAL’s
Vegetation Management Procedure (Section 2.4 – Fault Follow-Up Inspection Work Instruction). Fault Follow-Up is
conducted in the following circumstances:
 It is mandatory to initiate Vegetation Fault Follow Up Inspection on all Major Vegetation-Caused Faults
(CMOS>100,000 minutes).
 As part of a current review of VM procedures applying specifically to Bushfire Construction Areas, mandatory
Vegetation Fault Follow Up Inspection on all Vegetation-caused Faults with a Sub-Cause of “Fall-in” in Bushfire
Construction Areas is proposed.
92
 Discretionary Vegetation Fault Follow Up Inspection will be considered for Vegetation-caused Faults with a
Sub-Cause of “Fall-in” in HBRA, Comment field indicating Trees inside clearance or Trees Down.
7.4 C O N TI N U O U S IMPROVEMEN T
CP-PAL regularly participates in industry peak body forums relating to vegetation management, including those
convened by the Energy Networks Association, as well as industry initiatives among Network Service Providers to
share information about technology trials and process improvement relating to vegetation management.
CP-PAL also reviews research and development work relevant to the vegetation management field, and gleans
relevant information from relevant industry conferences and trade fairs such as are organised by the Utility
Arborists Association of Australia.
CP-PAL also invites its vegetation management contractors to identify opportunities for process improvement and
potential application of new and emerging technologies.
Additionally, CP-PAL reviews the outcomes of formal inquiries, legal proceedings, and less formal ‘lessons learnt’
material from other NSP’s and shares such information from CP-PAL’s vegetation management experience.
CP-PAL considers and evaluates opportunities for continuous improvement through a combination of all the
above sources. Each opportunity is formally evaluated from a cost and impact/risk basis, with those opportunities
which present viable performance/efficiency improvement subject to more details business opportunity
assessment and adoption into service/practice where appropriate.
In preparation of this strategy CitiPower Powercor have considered the following management options, further
detail can be found in Attachment B
Inspection
Option Strategy and analysis Approximate Risk reduction

Cost ranking ranking
1 Ground-based visual inspection

$ 
2 Inspection using LiDAR to maximum extent.

$$ 
3 LiDAR inspection supplemented by ground inspection of

$$ 
no fly zones & LiDAR targeted hazard tree areas
LiDAR inspection supplemented by ground inspection of no fly zones & LiDAR targeted hazard tree areas was
considered the lowest risk and best value. Lidar inspection will be implemented in 2017.
Inspection Cycle

ranking
1 Annual inspection cycle across full network

$$$$ 
2 Two year inspection cycle across full network

$ 
3 Annual inspection in HBRA; two yearly inspection in CP

$$$ 
LBRA; three year inspection in in PAL LBRA (current
strategy)
4 Annual inspection in HBRA using LiDAR, and two yearly

$$ 
inspection in LBRA both CP & PAL with non-vegetated
areas excluded (maximum of 5 years) based on LiDAR
93
confirmation (option under consideration)
Annual inspection in HBRA; two yearly inspection in CP LBRA; three year inspection in in PAL LBRA (current
strategy) will remain as the inspection cycles through 2017, with evaluation of option 4 for consideration for
inclusion in 2018 budget cycle.
Hazard tree inspection strategy HBRA and BCAs.

Note: No targeted hazard tree inspections in urban LBRA as fire ignition in these areas is highly unlikely.

ranking
Previous Current Ground based inspection of all spans and

$$ 
practice hazard trees.
1 LiDAR inspection only with hazard trees only detected

$ 
opportunistically where cutting works and going on

$$$ 
triggered selection of spans based on tree height for
ground inspection annually

$$ 
triggered selection of spans based on tree height, for
inspection by a ground based inspector (not arborist)
plus filtering out spans which have been cut within 2.5
years (equivalent to inspections for decay in poles)

$$ 
triggered selection of spans based on tree height, plus
filtering out spans which have been cut within a cycle
determined by a Level 4 arborist. BCA areas will be
inspected for hazard trees annually. (note: inspections
to be done by Level 4 arborists) (selected option)
CitiPower Powercor consider Lidar as the most effective tool for inspection, so option 1 is not able to be compared.
LiDAR inspection supplemented by a LiDAR analysis triggered selection of spans based on tree height, plus filtering
out spans which have been cut within a cycle determined by a Level 4 arborist. BCA areas will be inspected for
hazard trees annually. Note: Option 4 incorporating Hazrad Tree inspections undertaken by Level 4 arborists is the
selected option based on value and risk and the use of expertise targeting locations providing confidence above
normal industry practice.
Vegetation Clearance Cutting Scope

reduction
ranking

$ 
Regrowth Space up to 1 m from the minimum clearance
space (selected option for LiDAR)
94

$$$ 
Regrowth Space up to 2 m from the minimum clearance
space
3 Cut all vegetation in minimum clearance space. Determine

$$ 
cutting priority of vegetation within the Regrowth Space
based on vegetation inspector’s assessment of the year that
the vegetation will next grow inside clearance (selected
option for ground inspection)
Options 1 and 3 are preferred based as they represent the best risk outcome.
Appropriate audit level

reduction
ranking
1 Apply a random low audit effort level (5%) to both inspection and
$ 
2 Apply a random moderate audit effort level (10%) to both

$$ 
inspection and vegetation treatment works contractor, across the
distribution network, with the exception being 100% audit of
spans cut in BCA. (current option)
3 Apply a random high audit effort level (20%) to both inspection

$$$ 
and vegetation treatment works contractor, across the distribution
4 Apply a targeted risk-based audit regime applying low audit effort

$$ 
(5%) to all inspection works and vegetation treatment works in
LBRA; and a moderate audit effort (10%) to vegetation treatment
works in HBRA, and 100% audit of spans cut in BCA
5 Apply a full 100% audit of all work to both inspection and

$$$$$ 
network
Audit pass levels for 2016 are consistently in the 93 to 100% pass rate using the current 10% random audit process.
It was consider an increase in method would not alter the current outcome, but an approach of occasional
increased sample sizes should be implemented to verify results.
Vegetation clearance enhancement in BCAs.

reduction
ranking
1 Cut all woody vegetation within falling distance of lines

$$$$ 
(determined by LiDAR) of powerlines in the BCA
2 Maintain existing corridor widths and apply additional

$$$ 
branch/top-height reduction to prevent fall-ins, excluding areas
95
with REFCLs operating. (Most realistic option – preferred)
3 Continue existing practice as for HBRA, except increase current

$$ 
year cutting trigger to 2m outside clearance.
4 Continue existing practice as for HBRA, with no enhancements

$ 
Powercor consider the most appropriate action for the increasing of clearance in BCA areas, is to lay the vegetation
away from the conductor to avoid the potential for fall in and blow in. A business case is to be developed for
consideration for 2018 budget cycle.
96
8 VM QUALIFICATIONS TRAINING STANDARDS
The qualifications, training and experience of all CP-PAL employees and contractors undertaking vegetation
management activities shall be appropriate for the task they are to perform.
Training requirements are agreed in the joint to VESI requirements and are listed in the VESI Vegetation
Management Guideline published at www.vesi.com.au
In addition to the VESI requirements CP-PAL requires:

 Vegetation Workers who will be classified as Ground Crew will require a Certificate II in ESI – Powerline
Vegetation Control. The following table outlines the Units of Competency required to be undertaken for the
Vegetation Ground Crew role. All Mandatory (M) units of competency shall be completed to undertake the role.
Other units of Competence may be required to fulfil the role and the task being undertaken.
 Workers classified as Ground Crew to be trained annually in Safe Approach Distances – Vegetation Work.
 All Vegetation workers to be trained in Maintain safety at an incident scene (PUAOHS0002B)
Legend
Ground Crew
Qualification /
M - Mandatory Competency
Standard Unit
A - Additional - If worker requires this training for the works being performed
(CSU) number
Qualification
Certificate II in ESI - Powerline Vegetation Control UET20312 M
Certificate II Powerline Vegetation Control – Core Competency Standard Units
Apply Occupational Health Safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace UEENEEE101A M
Comply with sustainability, environmental and incidental response policies and
UETTDREL13A M
procedures
Working safely near live electrical apparatus as a non-electrical worker UETTDREL14A M
Operate and maintain chainsaws AHCARB205A M
Plan the removal of vegetation up to vegetation exclusion zone near live electrical
UETTDRVC23A M
apparatus
Monitor safety compliance of vegetation control work in an ESI environment UETTDRVC27A M
Certificate II Powerline Vegetation Control – Elective Competency Standard Units
Operate specialist equipment at ground level near live electrical apparatus UETTDRVC31A M
Fell small trees AHCARB202A M
Apply chemicals under supervision AHCCHM201A M
Operate machinery and equipment AHCMOM304A M
Operate a mobile chipper/mulcher FPIHAR2206B A
Training requirements are confirmed as meeting the agreed industry and CP/PAL standards prior to a Vegetation
worker commencing work on the Network and in system audits.
Prior to a Vegetation worker commencing work the employer submits evidence of all training requirements and this
is verified.
System Audits are undertaken to verify that Vegetation workers training records are being maintained and are
current.
CP/PAL will engage individuals as “under supervision” to enable them to be assessed as competent to perform
a given task or while training is being completed. Individuals will attend all training applicable for the role
and be deemed competent by a Training Provider. Evidence to demonstrate competence, including
Statement of Attainment, Certificate of Completion, will be provided to Powercor and when all valid
evidence is provided the “under supervision” will be removed.
97
8.1 ATTACHMENT A A U DI T S C H ED U L E
98
REFERENCE J
Vegetation Management Procedure
Vegetation Management Procedure

Purpose
The purpose of the CitiPower and Powercor (CP-PAL) Vegetation Management Procedure is to provide
clear and concise guidance in how to mitigate the risks to the community and the environment for the
interaction of trees and powerlines. The Management Policy and Vegetation Management Strategy also
elaborates in detail how best this can be achieved.
Objectives
Is To manage the specific risks associated with vegetation interacting with CP-PAL’s overhead
supply network, CP-PAL’s has categorised its Vegetation Management Procedures into the
following key objectives:
1. Bushfire Risk – mitigate the risk of bushfires caused by vegetation interacting with live
electricity assets;
2. Electrical Safety – mitigate the risk of public and worker safety incidents caused by
vegetation interacting with live electricity assets;
3. Compliance – achieve compliance to all relevant legislative and statutory requirements
Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2015, and to work collaboratively
with councils to assist them to achieve compliance;
4. Network performance – mitigate the risk of supply interruptions as a result of
vegetation coming into contact with live electricity assets;
5. Network damage – minimise the risk of damage to CP-PAL electricity assets caused by
vegetation.
CP-PAL aims to work towards and meet these objectives in a safe, timely, environmentally
responsible and cost effective manner.
CP-PAL seeks to become an innovative industry leader in the area of vegetation management.
Vegetation Management is a broad term that includes inspection by ground staff and aerial assessment
by Light Imaging, Detection, And Ranging (LIDAR), tree pruning; brush removal through the use of
power saws and mowers; the judicious use of herbicides and tree growth regulators; hazard tree
identification and removal; the implementation of strategies to minimise the establishment of
incompatible species under and near power lines; and the general control of weeds.
99
Document Control
Document ID: 0001 .doc
Date Rev Revision Typist Author Verifier Approver

No Details
10/2016 Process rewrite GHD
2/2017 Vegetation Code and clearance review Wayne Evans
10/03/2017 01 Minor corrections Bob Rachubnski
31/3/2017 Final Matt Thorpe
100
Vegetation Management Process Flow: The following flowchart outlines the activities
conducted by all stakeholders to complete the process from inspection to final vegetation report.
VP
Warning: HARD COPIES OF THIS DOCUMENT MAY NOT BE THE LATEST VERSION. The most up-to-date document is located on the Intranet.
Applies To This Procedure applies to all of the following areas:
 Vegetation within CP-PAL ) Distribution Network including power lines and
assets
 Vegetation within TOA and TOA2 Distribution Network including power lines
and assets.
 All CP-PAL personnel who undertake Vegetation roles, and
 All CP-PAL contractors engaged to execute Vegetation activities
Issue Number The Issue Number of this Procedure is:

and Date  Issue 2
The Issue Date of this Procedure is:

 04 October 2016
Date Last The Procedure was last reviewed by the Business Process Owner (BPO) on the
Reviewed following date:
 02 February 2017
Related Figure 1. Describes the Hierarchy of the Related Documents for Vegetation
Documents Management.
This Procedure supports the following documents:
 Vegetation Management Policy
 Vegetation Management Strategy
 Electric Line Clearance Management Plans (ELCMP)
This Procedure is also supported by the following documents:

 Vegetation Annual Execution Plan (VAEP)
Document The document has the following Business Process Owner (BPO) and Business
Owners Process Analyst (BPA):
 Business Process Owner (BPO) title: Manager, Network Compliance
 Business Process Analyst (BPA) title: Technical Officer, Vegetation Management
Warning: HARD COPIES OF THIS DOCUMENT MAY NOT BE THE LATEST VERSION. The most up-to-date document is located on the Intranet.
Key The following people must be consulted when changes to this Procedure occur:
Stakeholders Title Team & Business Unit
Vegetation Manager Network Compliance
Vegetation Contract Op Delivery Officer Network Compliance
Head of Network Compliance Network Compliance
Hierarchy of Key Documents.

The following diagram represents the hierarchy of key documents for Vegetation Management within
CP-PAL.



Procedures (VAEP)

Execute Conduct
Action Reporting
103
Terms and Definitions
Item Definition
Arborist As defined in the Code an Arborist is a person that is trained to the
National Certificate Level IV in Horticulture & Arboriculture who is suitably
qualified with at least 3 years of field experience in assessing trees
Affected Person Person who, in relation to the cutting or removal of a tree on land is the
owner or occupier (including a person who is responsible for the
management of public land) of adjacent land where the cutting or removal
will affect the use of that adjacent land
Blue Book The Electrical Safety Committee (ESC) publishes the CODE OF PRACTICE on
electrical safety for work on or near high voltage electrical apparatus, this
Code of Practice is known as the (Blue Book). The Blue Book applies to all
persons working on, near or in the vicinity of High Voltage (HV) apparatus
that is capable of being energized, (including transmission and HV
customers)
BFM (Bush Fire Mitigation) Group that performs the following: TBA
Group  TBA
CFA (Country Fire Authority) Country Fire Authority is a volunteer and community based fire and
emergency services organisation responsible for fighting fires in rural areas
of Victoria
Minimum Clearance Space See definition Vegetation Management Policy
(MCS)
Code Code of Practice contained in the Schedule of the current Electricity Safety
(Electric Line Clearance) Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance)
Regulations
CP-PAL CitiPower and Powercor
CRO (Contract Responsible Personnel who manages assigned contracts on behalf of CP-PAL
Officer)
Concerned Customer Customer who has not been able to have their concerns addressed as per
CP-PAL’s customer service processes
Cutters An appropriately trained person that undertakes the trimming or removal
of Vegetation in relation to CP-PAL’s network
Cutting Vegetation cutting or trimming works that have been, or need to be,
undertaken in relation to clearance of power lines
Cutting Work Pack Information supplied to Cutters that outlines what is required at the job
location
Declared Area An area of land that has been declared to be managed by a local
government body such as a rural or metropolitan municipality
104
Item Definition
ELCMP (Electric Line ELCMP has been prepared to comply with requirements of the Electricity
Clearance Management Plans) Safety Act 1998 and the current Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance)
Regulations. Objectives of the ELCMP are to describe:
 Management procedures for standards and practices to be
adopted and observed in vegetation cutting or removal in the
vicinity of electric lines and the keeping of the whole or any part of
vegetation clear of electric lines; and
 Management procedures to minimise the danger of electric lines
causing fire or electrocution due to Vegetation contact
Environmental Due Diligence Process of confirming that areas of works proposed for action does not
breach council, state or federal regulations and acts.
ESI (Electricity Supply Guidelines to encourage nationally consistent practices in training
Industry) standards for safe work on electricity networks by the Energy Networks
Association
FFU (Fault Follow-Up) A report that has been generated from a reported fault and further
Summary Report investigation is required by Vegetation department
Fire Danger Period Annual Regulatory period that is governed by CFA
Green Book The Electrical Safety Committee (ESC) publishes the Code of Practice on
electrical safety for the work on or near HV electrical apparatus (the Blue
Book). The Blue Book applies to all persons working on, near or in the
vicinity of HV apparatus that is capable of being energized, (including
transmission and HV customers)
The distribution network operators have different requirements to those
transmission companies and the Electrical Safety Rules for the Victorian
Distribution Networks (the Green Book) is how we meet those
requirements whilst demonstrating compliance to the Blue Book
The Green Book also provides practical guidance in maintaining safe
systems of work in relation to the control of risks associated with work on,
near or in the vicinity of ‘VESI’ Electrical Apparatus.
Part 2, specifically Tables 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, of the Green Book regarding Safe
Approach Distances apply when undertaking vegetation clearing in the
vicinity of Electrical Apparatus.
Hazard Any situation with the potential to cause harm to a person’s health, safety
or to the environment
Hazard Tree A tree, or part of a tree, that having regard to foreseeable local conditions,
is likely to fall onto or otherwise fail and come into contact with an electric
line.
For practical application during inspection, the following Hazard Tree
definition interpretation is to be used:
Trees with stems or branches that have obvious and visible structural
defects, as viewed from the point of vegetation clearance inspection,
which can fail and impact an electric line.
Hazardous Bushfire Risk Area Hazardous Bushfire Risk Area as declared by the CFA and represented in
(HBRA) the CP-PAL Geographical Information System (GIS) database.
105
Item Definition
Transition Space The distance vegetation was pruned beyond the regulated MCS when the
span was transitioned for compliance with 2010 regulations.
Inspection Is the process that CP-PAL employs to monitor Vegetation via ground staff
and aerial LIDAR to ensure it is managed in accordance with the Regulation
and Acts.
Inspection Work Package Information supplied to the Inspector that outlines what is required at the
job location
Inspector An appropriately trained person that determines the MCS of the electrical
asset and assigns an appropriate year code to the said electrical asset
within CP-PAL’s network
Low Bushfire Risk Area (LBRA) LBRA means a Low Bushfire Risk Area as declared by the CFA and
represented in the CP-PAL Geographical Information System (GIS)
database
National Skills Passport The Australian ESI Skills passport system was rolled out in the VESI in 2010
to provide a mechanism to record the training, authorities and inductions
of an individual. The Passport is issued to all ESI workers who hold an
authority issued by a Network Operator and/or are required by a Network
Operator to undertake any training and/or assessment for field based
activities. It is a requirement of the Network Operators that Skills Passports
are made available at worksite upon request e.g. for the purposes of an
audit
Non-Standard Vegetation Undertaking of works that are not in the scope of works as per the service
Work contract.
Occupational Health and An incident which is required to be reported to the Work Health and Safety
Safety (OHS) Notifiable Regulator as defined in the OHS Act 2004 Part 5
Incident
ORP (Other Responsible ORPs are defined under the Electricity Safety Act (ESA) as persons
Person) responsible for managing Vegetation near power lines that are growing
on/ from Public Land. For example: Councils, who are responsible for
Vegetation growing within Declared Areas on road reserves or in a Council
park
Outstanding Span Any span VP coded span within the HBRA that cannot be actioned within
required Vegetation Management Policy timeframes. Due to unforeseen
circumstances.
POEL (Private Electric Line) Private Overhead Electric Lines that are the responsibility of the
landowner/ occupier (person who is in actual occupation of the land and
who should monitor the vegetation clearance between powerlines and
trees to ensure that MCS is free of Vegetation at all times)
Safety Links system Is the enterprise software that manages CP-PAL’s Health and Safety
incident reporting and management
Scar Trees Are trees which have had bark removed by indigenous Australians for the
creation of canoes, shelters, shields and containers, such as coolamons
Service Line Terminating span of low voltage (LV) electric lines used to take electricity
from the CP-PAL network to a point of supply
106
Item Definition
Significant/ Important Trees identified as habitat for fauna that are:
Vegetation  threatened in accordance with section 10 of the Flora and Fauna
Guarantee Act 1988, or
 Federal Environment Protection biodiversity and Conservation Act,
or
 listed in the Threatened Invertebrate Fauna List with a
conservation status in Victoria and under Federal legislation of
“vulnerable", "endangered" or "critically endangered", or
listed in the Threatened Vertebrate Fauna List with a conservation status in
Victoria and Federally listed of “venerable”, “endangered” or “critically
endangered”
SWMS (Safe Work Method A document that identifies work that is high risk construction work; and
Statement) states the hazards and risks to health or safety of that work; and the a safe
method to undertake work.
Mobility Device Mobility device that is able to send and receive data that is collected by
Cutters and Inspectors electronically via a mobile telecommunications link
to the VMS, as specified in the Contract
Technical Alternative Engineering activity to alter a powerline where the costs are generally
borne by the individual making the request
Tree of Interest Tree identified to have one or more structural faults with the potential to
lead to a tree or branch failure which may potentially impact a powerline
in the medium to long term
VMS (Vegetation A structured set of data that enables CP-PAL to manage Vegetation as per
Management System) compliance to the Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations
and CP-PAL Corporate Strategy
Vegetation All plant life including but not limited to trees, palms, vines, shrubs, grasses
such as bamboo, but not lawns
Vegetation Action Is the type of works such as cutting, removal, slashing or herbicide that is
required at the location identified from an Inspection
Vegetation Codes Vegetation Codes VP1, VP2, VP3, 2017 are used to priorities’ the cutting
and inspection.
Vegetation Annual Execution Provides direction on resource allocation for Key Vegetation Activities to
Plan (VAEP) be performed during the year, i.e. it facilitates:
 availability of financial resources for Vegetation activities, and
 optimum matching of manpower resources to action items.
Vegetation Contractor Specialist company contracted for the performance of Vegetation
fieldwork such as Inspection and/or Cutting
Vegetation Quality Officer Officer appointed by CP-PAL with the responsibility to assess quality of
works by service providers
107
Item Definition
VESI (Victorian Electricity VESI is not a company, corporation or a business. It is a registered
Supply Industry) trademark and when the five Major Electricity Companies jointly agree to a
procedure, practice or process then they brand it as a VESI document to
enable consistency, compliance and transportability across the companies
The five Victorian Major Electricity Companies (formerly known as
Distribution Networks or Distribution Businesses (DBs)) are:
 CitiPower
 Powercor
 AusNet Services
 Jemena, and
United Energy, with the transmission network owned and operated by
AusNet Services
Wet Span  A span that is difficult to clear due to an inability to physically
access the span or tree with the necessary equipment due to
water or the effects of water/flooding
108
Vegetation Management
Procedures
109
Chapter 1
Vegetation management
Procedure
Development and delivery of the Vegetation
Annual Execution Plan
110
1. Development and Delivery of the Vegetation Annual
Execution Plan (VAEP)
This procedure covers both the development and delivery phase of the VAEP.
1.1 Development of the VAEP
Purpose and Overview
The purpose of the Vegetation Annual Execution Plan (VAEP) is to identify, prioritise, schedule the
vegetation management works and estimate resource requirements, for the year to which the plan
applies. In essence VAEP development is an annual works program scoping and scheduling process.
The works and activities included in the plan are:

 Vegetation Inspection Program;
 Vegetation Action Program;
 Customer Management Program; and
 Quality Audit Program.
Prior to the end of a calendar year, a VAEP is prepared for the following year. The planning process
involves:
a) Identify all feeders on network.
b) For each feeder separately identify HBRA spans and LBRA spans.
c) Identify number of HBRA and LBRA spans on each feeder that will require inspection in the coming
year, noting that for LBRA this will be all spans not inspected in the last 12 months, and for HBRA it
will be all spans.
d) Applying knowledge of inspection work rates from previous experience, for ground-based and LiDAR
inspections, estimated inspection timeframes are determined for each feeder.
e) A key consideration in the planning process is working out an efficient order of work taking into
consideration such matters as seasonal climate patterns, site access, logical/efficient workflow; and
maintaining stable work continuity for individual work areas.
f) The output of the planning process is a plan incorporating all feeders, with a preliminary order of
works project plan with indicative resourcing requirements.
g) The VAEP developed during the initial planning/scoping phase can be expected to change during the
delivery phase due to a range of factors including weather, unanticipated find-rates, contractor
workloads, essential machinery breakdowns and other reasons. Therefore, it can be expected that
the VAEP will require constant progress monitoring during the delivery process, with work schedules
needing amendment, as required, to ensure timely work progress so that all works can be
completed by the required end date (prior to the bushfire danger period).
Vegetation Inspection Program
HBRA spans are automatically included for inspection in each year’s inspection program.
LBRA spans shall also be included to achieve the objective of inspecting all PAL LBRA spans at least once
every 3 years and all CP LBRA spans at least once every 2 years.
The following factors shall be considered in prioritising the inspection program:

1. Is the span on the part of the network assessed as “wet”? Assessed as “wet” means the area
traditionally receives high spring rainfall which creates access issues, therefore the area is prioritised
for inspection at the start of the year to enable clearing to be completed prior to the spring.
111
2. Which spans have the highest number of current Vegetation Codes? Spans with the highest number
of Vegetation Codes shall be prioritised for inspection at the start of the year to facilitate efficient
clearing and accurate forecasting.
3. Feeders with a higher frequency of vegetation related to supply interruptions, shall be prioritised for
inspection at the start at the year where practicable.
4. All HBRA spans shall be inspected to facilitate completion of clearing works by the start of the
declared fire season, or by 1st of December each year (nominally one month earlier).
5. All LBRA spans shall be inspected to facilitate completion of clearing works by 23rd of December of
each year (nominally 14 days earlier).
Vegetation Action Program
During implementation of the inspection program all spans are assigned a Vegetation Code as set out in
the vegetation management policy which defines the action required.
Any spans identified as having vegetation in the Minimum Clearance Space (MCS) or a Vegetation Code
corresponding to the current year will be issued for cutting.
Vegetation works shall be packaged and allocated to the vegetation contractor to facilitate completion
per the ELCMP, where practical HBRA action by 1st of December (or such earlier date as declared by the
CFA) and all LBRA actioned by 23rd of December of that year.
All vegetation clearing works are to maintain the Transition Space that was achieved when each span
was transitioned to comply with 2010 Regulations.
In addition to standard works in maintaining the Minimum Clearance Space , the vegetation action
program shall include the application of herbicide to approximately 10,000 spans, the slashing of
approximately 1,500 spans and the removal of approximately 10,000 small trees (15 cm DBH) in locations
to be determined during the course of the year, based on reducing CP-PAL’s long term vegetation
clearing costs.
The current year’s inspection information will nominate the most appropriate spans for treatment and
will be determined by the following factors:
 Herbicide – for significant number of spans in a geographical area carrying unsuitable species up to
2 m high.
 Slashing – a significant number of spans in geographical area carrying dense slashable vegetation.
 Removal – of significant number of spans in a geographical area carrying small unsuitable species.
Customer Management Program
All Councils with declared areas shall be visited annually to confirm their Declared Area clearing program
and to update joint important tree plans as required.
Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo Councils, plus all CP Councils, shall also be visited twice per year to foster
good working relationships, to review the outworking of Council’s ORP obligations, to review the
outworking of special programs applicable in some areas (Grand Prix area for Port Phillip and Skilled
Stadium area for Geelong) and to improve the efficiency of the interfaces with CP and PAL’s vegetation
team.
Other PAL Regional Councils shall be visited annually.
Quality Review Program
112
A program of work quality audits completed against the scope of works, as defined in the Contract and
Directed to be conducted. Compliance results from audits will be used to determine the amount
payable.
Output
Feeders by feeder plans are generated for incorporation into the VAEP, for the execution of vegetation
inspection, action and herbicide.
The Vegetation Management Execution Plan format below, is to be completed and filed in the
Vegetation Management Drive > Execution Plan – Works Program, in the current year’s folder.
The VAEP scheduling format will include:

 Task name;
 Duration;
 Start date;
 Finish date;
 Predecessors; and
 Resource names.
1.2 Delivery of the VAEP
The VAEP delivery is an operations management process which is coordinated through extracting work
completed data from the VMS, reviewing work progress rates and what work remains to be done, and
amending the forward plan as required. This operational management process is achieved through:
 Weekly internal operations meetings; and
 Weekly contractor operations progress meetings.
Weekly internal operations meetings
A weekly internal operations meeting is conducted throughout the year to review weekly progress of the
VAEP so that the works program delivery progress is constantly monitored enabling adjustments to be
made to allow progress to be kept on track. These internal operations meetings always occur prior to the
contractor progress meetings, for the purpose of gathering relevant information for the subsequent
contractor operations progress meetings.
Weekly contractor operations progress meetings

Following CP-PAL’s internal weekly operations meeting, a weekly contractor operations progress meeting
is convened with the Principal Contractor. The purpose of this meeting is to monitor and discuss progress
against targets, safety issues, contractual matters, audits, performance against KPIs and generally to
ensure the VM contract work delivery remains on track to achieve completion of the VM program by the
scheduled end date, as well as provide a forum for resolving any operational or contractual issues. There
is a contractual requirement for the contractor to provide a weekly progress report on program process
covering both inspection and cutting to CP-PAL.
The following items are standard items for discussion during the weekly contractor operations progress
meetings:
 HSE and Safety Report;
 Program progress;
 Resourcing structure;
 Works Performance – compliance, quality and audit results; and
 Other operational matters.
113
This operational work program, monitoring and management process is applied throughout the year up
to the program completion date, and is an ongoing annual cycle.
Process for determining herbicide and tree removal prioritisation

The Vegetation Contract Operational Delivery Coordinator (VCODC) analyses inspection data results in
conjunction with CP-PAL vegetation staff recommendations to identify areas for herbicide application
and small tree removal.
LiDAR process for herbicide and tree removal prioritisation

When LiDAR inspection is fully implemented, the LiDAR outputs will be used to identify areas for
potential application of herbicide and small tree removals. The ground-based inspection process will still
apply in no fly zones where LiDAR is not used.
114
Process Outline (VAEP Delivery)
The following flowchart outlines the activities conducted by stakeholders to complete the process.
VAEP Delivery
Vegetation
Manager
Review (internal) Review (internal)

VAEP delivery VAEP delivery
progress & issues progress & issues
(weekly) (weekly)
Contract Del Op
Vegetation
Review (internal) Review VAEP delivery Forward list of

Officer
VAEP delivery progress & issues Feeders / Areas due

progress & issues with Principal for Inspection &
(weekly) Contractor (weekly) Action
VAEP
Technical Officer,
Management
Vegetation
Review (internal) Compile & issue list of

VAEP delivery Feeders / Areas due
progress & issues for Inspection &
(weekly) Action
Engagement &
Quality Team
Review (internal) Review VAEP delivery

Leader
VAEP delivery progress & issues Execute QA audits on Cycle

progress & issues with Principal completed works restarts
(weekly) Contractor (weekly)
Management
Contractors
Vegetation
Execute Inspections &

Review VAEP delivery
Report VM works Action Work Packages
progress & issues
progress / issues / Report completion /
with Principal
KPIs (weekly) results in VMS
Contractor (weekly)
Prepare weekly report
115
Chapter 2
Manage Vegetation
Inspection
116
2. Manage Vegetation Inspection

Trigger Event
This process starts when the following event has occurred or requirements are met:
 Need arises for Vegetation inspection, given occurrence of one or more factors:
o Regulatory requirement;
o Business requirement;
o Region;
o Weather;
o Bush fire mitigation;
o Time lapse since last inspection;
o History;
o Budget;
o Vegetation proximity to conductors; and/or
o Line reliability.
Outcomes
On completion of this process, the following areas have been achieved:
 LiDAR and/or ground-based visual inspections have identified vegetation that is or will be inside the
MCS or the Vegetation Buffer Spaces within the following 12 months.
 Hazard tree inspections have identified vegetation that may pose a fall-in risk to the network.
 Data collected from inspections are complete, accurate and enables effective decision-making on
Vegetation Action.
 Inspections have been conducted in a timely and financially sustainable manner.
Records of Outputs
The following records are outputs generated by this process:
 Inspection Work Packages for issue to contractors.
 Collated inspection data (uploaded into VMS).
 LiDAR data files for LiDAR inspected spans.
117
Process Outline Manage Ground Based Vegetation Inspections

The following flowchart outlines the activities conducted by stakeholders to complete the ground-based visual inspection process.
Manage Ground-Based Vegetation Inspection

Vegetation Manager
Development of the Annual Conduct Vegetation

Execution Plan Reporting Procedure
Contract Del Op
#1
Vegetation
Forward list of
Officer
Feeders / Areas
to be inspected
to Technical
Vegetation Service Officers
Request
Technical Officer, Vegetation
#2
Compile
Inspection Work
Package Work
Management
Instruction
Management Management
System System
No
(Contracors/
#3
Inspectors
#4
Internal)
Execute
Contact
Vegetation Urgent
Yes Vegetation
Inspection Vegetation?
Contract Op
Work
Delivery Officer
Instruction
118
Task Detail
Compile Vegetation Inspection Work Package

Notes to Step 2
As per the Compile Vegetation Inspection Work Package Work Instruction.
Execute Vegetation Inspection
Notes to Step 3
Conduct Vegetation Inspection as per the Execute Vegetation Inspection
Work Instruction. Vegetation Inspection can be undertaken by internal
Vegetation Management staff or external contractors.
Notes to Step 4 Urgent Vegetation

 In the event that Urgent Vegetation is identified, the Inspector is to:
o Ensure that the observation is tagged as “Urgent Vegetation” in
the Mobility Device; and
o Bring the observation to the immediate attention of the CP-PAL’s
Vegetation Contract Op Delivery Officer via telephone call and
email.
 At the decision of the CP-PAL’s Vegetation Manager or delegate, CP-PAL
will take appropriate action.
119
Process Outline Manage LiDAR Vegetation Inspections

The following flowchart outlines the activities conducted by stakeholders to complete the airborne LiDAR inspection process.
Manage LiDAR Vegetation Inspection

Vegetation Manager
Development of the Annual Conduct Vegetation

Execution Plan Reporting Procedure
Contract Del Op
#1
Vegetation
Forward list of
Officer
Feeders / Areas
to be inspected
to Technical
Officers
Technical Officer, Vegetation
#2 Vegetation
Compile Management
Inspection Work System
Package Work
Management
Instruction
Conduct Data
Validation
Vegetation
Checks &
Management
Reformat for
System
VMS
Compatability
No
LiDAR Inspection
#3
Contractor
#4
Execute LiDAR
Contact
Vegetation Urgent
Yes Vegetation
Inspection Vegetation?
Contract Op
Work
Delivery Officer
Instruction
120
Task Detail
Notes to Step 2 Compile Vegetation Inspection Work Package

As per the Compile Vegetation Inspection Work Package Work Instruction.
Notes to Step 3 Execute Vegetation Inspection

Conduct Vegetation Inspection as per the Execute Vegetation Inspection
Work Instruction. Vegetation Inspection can be undertaken by internal
Vegetation Management staff or external contractors.

o Ensure that the observation is tagged as “Urgent Vegetation” in the
Mobility Device; and
Vegetation Contract Op Delivery Officer via telephone call and email.
 At the decision of the CP-PAL’s Vegetation Manager or delegate, CP-PAL will
take appropriate action.
Hazard Trees
It is not feasible to detect hazard trees using LiDAR, therefore a supplementary visual ground–based
inspection process will be required to detect hazard trees. Lidar will identify spans where vegetation can
fall onto powerlines, these spans will then be programmed for a hazard inspection by an Arborist. The
Arborist will not only assess the span for visible hazards, he will set the next inspection cycle based on
the health of the trees in the span. BCA areas are to be assessed on an annual basis. In 2017 spans
inspected using ground based techniques in 2016 will not be re-inspected. In areas where LiDAR is not
practical, a combined ground inspection for vegetation clearance and hazard trees will be required.
Trees that are likely to fail within the next 3 years will be programmed based on urgency, where a tree is
an immediate danger it will be prioritised for cutting, non immediatenon-immediate hazards will be
programmed as part of normal works.
121
2.1 Compile Vegetation Inspection Work Package – Work Instruction
Purpose
The purpose of this Work Instruction is to guide Vegetation Management staff in the creation and
allocation of Inspection work packages within the Vegetation Management Workbench, to ensure they
are delivered providing clear information on the area to be inspected to ensure adherence to CP-PAL’s
Vegetation Execution Plan.
Inspection Notifications are generated on selected spans annually or periodically as per regulatory or
business requirements. Inspections can be carried out by internal Vegetation Management staff or
external contractors.
This Work Instruction shall be conducted to ensure that the vegetation MCS is maintained around CP-PAL
assets to comply with the requirements of the Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations
2015.
This Work Instruction shall be followed to ensure:

 Vegetation staff can issue inspection work to internal or external inspectors; and
 Inspections are undertaken as per the Vegetation Execution Management Plan.
Applies To
This Work Instruction applies to the following:
 Vegetation within CP-PAL Distribution Network or within the vicinity of CP-PAL powerlines;
 All CP-PAL personnel who undertake Vegetation roles;
 All CP-PAL contractors engaged to execute Vegetation activities; and
 Conduct Vegetation Inspection Procedure.
Records of Output
 Inspection Work Packages issued to internal & external vegetation inspectors
 What outputs are delivered when completing the work instructions: eg. SAP Report, completed form,
email etc.
 via mobility device computers
122
Task Detail
Step 1 Inspection notifications are created in the annual planning board via the vegetation
Inspection management workbench.
Notification
Creation
Step Description Values/Result/Output

1. Run Transaction ZVEGMGT Initial screen ready for input
2. Input selection criteria for example VM014
selection by feeder
3. Vegetation workbench open
Click listing notifications for
selected feeders
4. Annual planning board initial
Click screen open ready for input
5. Enter selection criteria for example use the See basic, searching by
classification search to extract span classification
equipment for a feeder.
6. A list of span equipment
Click returned that match the
Change and save a layout. selection criteria.
See basic selection and
layout variants
7. Select the span equipment for inspection
and click
8. Enter a description and Planned Start and A messages box is
End dates in the pop up window and click displayed detailing the
notifications created.
9. Notifications can also be created using the

Map display.
Zoom into the map and click

10. Draw a shape around various spans. Spans are selected in the
list.
11. Repeat Step 7 and 8 to generate
notifications
12.
Click to close the message box
13.
Click twice to go back to vegetation
management workbench
14. Notifications created will be
Click displayed in the Unassigned
notification list
Note: Naming Convention for the Description field = Direction No / Feeder / Date / Fire Area
For example - Dir 2016/3 001 BAS011 22032016 F.
This ‘package’ can then be located in the vegetation management workbench.
123
Step 2 Internal
Allocating Work Inspection notifications, created in step 1, are then issued via the vegetation
to Internal or management workbench. The following shall be followed when allocating work to
Contractor Internal Inspectors
Inspectors

1. Run transaction ZVEGMGT and enter List of notification displayed
selection criteria for example selection by in ZVEGMGT. Search by
feeder Direction Number in
Description
2. List of unassigned
Click notification displayed.
3.  For Internal execute steps 4 and 5
 For External execute steps 6 to 9
4. Select Notifications for internal assignment
and click
5. In the work type pop up box select internal Work orders are generated
work. with an internal operation
and notifications are moved
from Unassigned
Notifications to Planned
(Not Released) list.
6. Select Planned (Not Released) tab Notification Planned (they

have an order) are
displayed.
7. Select lines to be assigned to internal Lines with control key INTP
inspector use the column Ctrl (control key) selected
to determine internal or external work.
8.
Click
9. Enter the personnel number Work Order operation is
updated with personnel
number of the inspector.
The work orders are release
and moved from Planned
(not released) to
Released/Send to Field
124
External
Inspection notifications are then issued via the vegetation management workbench. The
following shall be followed when allocating work to External Inspectors.

1. Select Notifications for External Assignment
and click
2. In the work type pop up box select
standard
3. The system will determine the service lines

and present the following:
 If one contract exists then the
service line from that contract will
automatically be selected based on
contract mapping table.
 If more than 1 contract exists then
the user shall choose which service
lines are allocated.
4. Orders are generated with

Click
an external operation and
the service line added.
Notifications are moved
from Unassigned
notifications to Planned (Not
Release) list.
5. Run transaction ZVEGMGT and enter Vegetation Management
selection criteria for example selection by work bench open displaying
feeder notifications for the
selection criteria
(unassigned notifications)
6. Select Planned (Not Released) tab Notification Planned ( they
have an order) are
displayed.
7. Select lines to be assigned to contractor Lines with control key ZVM3
8.
Click
9. Deselect “Send work to contractor” Work Orders for contractor
Inspector is released and
moved from Planned (not
released) to Released/Send
to Field
125
Step 3 The following steps are to apply to allocation of inspection work packages to
Assign internal inspectors.
Work to
Internal
Inspector
1. Run transaction ZVEGMGT and enter Vegetation Management work
selection criteria for example selection by bench open displaying
feeder notifications for the selection
criteria (unassigned
notifications)
have an order) are displayed.
3. Select lines to be assigned to internal Lines with control key INTP
4.
Click
5. Enter the personnel number Work Order operation is
updated with personnel
number of the inspector. The
work orders are release and
released) to Released/Send to
Field
Step 4 Assign The following steps are to apply to allocation of inspection work packages to
Work to external inspectors
Contractor
Inspector

notifications)
2. Select Planned (Not Released) tab Notification Planned ( they
126
3. Select lines to be assigned to contractor Lines with control key ZVM3

4.
Click
5. Deselect “Send work to contractor” Work Orders for contractor
Inspector is released and
released) to Released/Send
to Field
127
2.2 Conduct Ground-Based Visual Vegetation Inspection – Work

Instruction
Purpose
This Work Instruction aims to provide instruction to CP and PAL personnel who undertake Vegetation
roles and CP and PAL contractors engaged to execute Vegetation activities, to ensure that vegetation
inspections are performed:
 At the direction of the CP-PAL’s Vegetation Manager or their delegate who will package work in
accordance to priorities determined in the Vegetation Strategy and Vegetation Annual Execution
Plan.
 By appropriately skilled Inspectors (CP-PAL personnel or contractors).
 In accordance to the Inspection process articulated in the Conduct Vegetation Inspection procedure
and the Quality Review Schedule.
 With assessments made using CP-PAL in-year Vegetation Codes.
 Using Mobility Devices provided to inspectors by CP-PAL.
Applies To
 All CP-PAL personnel who undertake Vegetation roles;
 All CP-PAL contractors engaged to execute Vegetation activities; and
 Conduct Vegetation Inspection Procedure.
Hazards
The warnings below alert the user to potential health and safety hazards specific to this Work
Instruction:
Employees should be aware of the following Policy and Guideline:
 Refer to the Employees Working Alone Policy, section 7.15 of CP-PAL Health and Safety Manual.
 Use of Electronic Devices in Vehicles Guideline.
Qualifications and Skills
Personnel required performing the key activities:

 Inspectors (contractors); and
 Inspectors (CP-PAL personnel).
The person conducting this Work Instruction must have the qualifications and skills as detailed in the
VESI Skills Matrix – Assessor.
128
Tools and equipment needed to perform the key activities:

 Vehicle suited to the environment;
 Mobility Device (as specified in the Contract);
 Vegetation clearance Charts guideline;
 Current Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations;
 Electric Line Clearance Management Plans (ELCMP);
 Photo Identification must be carried at all times and worn when entering private property; and
 Joint Council Management Plans.
Records of Output
The following records are outputs generated by this process and are to be retained as evidence:
 Inspection Work Packages;
 Collated Inspection Data (uploaded into VMS);
 Completed Work packages for quality assessments delivered; and
 Regulatory reporting.
129
The Inspector will inspect every span that has been allocated in the work package and will collect
data from the following checklist while outside of the vehicle, with the Mobility Device:
INSPECTION CHECKLIST
This Checklist should be used in conjunction with CP-PAL’s Vegetation Reference Guide which
provides additional guidance material on how procedural requirements can be met.
NB: Preventative controls in place for entries into mobile devices. Mandatory fields, drop-down lists
and pre-populated fields to ensure accurate reporting on vegetation status.
Determine Action
Whether there is a residence on the property where the  The inspector will advise the
inspection is occurring and the activities of the occupier/property owner of their
inspector will be in sight of the occupants of the presence. If unable to advise, then a
residence. calling card must be left advising of
the attendance and purpose.
Inspectors are to determine the appropriate MCS for  Enter into mobile device.
each span as per the Electricity Safety (Electric Line  Provide a photo of the span looking
Clearance) Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) down the line from the furthest pole
Regulations and ELCMP and Vegetation clearance Chart looking back, upload on mobile
guideline. These charts assist to determine the required device.
MCS as provided in span information on the mobile  Provide the GPS points of Vegetation
device. Sag and sway need to be taken into account on mobile device.
when determining Minimum Clearance Space, see
vegetation policy for further detail.
Determine if Vegetation is within the electrical asset  Enter into mobile device.
MCS as per the ELCMP, Electricity Safety (Electric Line  Provide a photo of the span looking
Clearance) Regulations and the Vegetation clearance down the line from the furthest pole
charts (refer to Vegetation clearance Chart guideline) looking back, upload on mobile
Determine if modified clearance is present which will be device.
displayed as part of the span data on the mobile device.  Provide the GPS points of Vegetation
Review council management plan before commencing on mobile device.
inspection in townships to determine what vegetation
clearances are required.
Determine if Vegetation work is required at the site i.e.  Enter into mobile device.
trimming or removal. This will identify whether a site  Provide a photo of the span looking
negotiation is required based on the vegetation down the line from the furthest pole
clearance requirements provided as part of the span looking back, upload on mobile
data displayed on the mobile device. device.
 Provide the GPS points of Vegetation
on mobile device.
Provide recommendation for type of Vegetation Action Enter into mobile device.
required i.e. trim, remove or herbicide.  Trim – vegetation is cut to a
designated point that complies with
vegetation clearance requirements as
per regulations.
 Remove – vegetation is completely
removed in the maintenance of the
regrowth Space i.e. tree is cut to
ground level and/ or stump ground
out.
 Herbicide use – all suckers, saplings or
immature trees in the Clearing Zone
130
(area to be cleared for the installation

of a new powerline) is to be treated
with herbicide to prevent regrowth.
 Mechanical Plant – use of machines
other than EWP & Chipper Tippers.
Machines that may be used, but not
limited to, are Sky and Kwik Trims,
Hedgers, Slashers and Skid steer
mounted mulchers.
Identify voltage of conductor affected by Vegetation. Enter into mobile device.
Determine size of Vegetation required to be actioned Enter into mobile device.

i.e. sapling, mature or scrub.
Determine the distance that the Vegetation is required Enter into mobile device.
to be actioned i.e. how much the tree is required to be
trimmed to re-establish the transition space. The
Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations
and conductor requirements i.e. sag and sway need to
be taken into account when determining what is to be
trimmed or removed.
Recommend cut to Vegetation Code.
Identify locations where clearance between commercial Enter into mobile device.
timber plantations of 40 hectares or greater and any
PAL overhead Power line does not comply with the
minimum 20 m clearance either side of the HV line, as
specified in the Code of Practice for Timber Production
2007. Refer to the Vegetation Reference Guide for
guidance on meeting inspection requirements adjacent
to plantations.
Perform vegetation coding of the tree that is required Enter into mobile device.
to be actioned in the cycle and code of 5 trees, or
groups of trees, that require works in future cycles
which is represented in the year code that is allocated
to the tree. For example, there may be a number of
trees in the span that can be identified to be actioned in
some way that could include trimming or removal. The
coding of a tree is an important strategic tool to
forecast workloads in future years. For vegetation that
is outside the Minimum Clearance Space , it will be
necessary to determine and record which year the
inspector considers the vegetation is likely to grow into
the Minimum Clearance Space , allowing for future
growth. Refer to the Vegetation Reference Guide for
guidance on determining vegetation growth/regrowth
rates. For example, there can be a number of VP codes
in a span and a number of code 18’s. The Vegetation
Codes are entered in by the inspectors and from this
and the system will generate a span Vegetation Code
based on the worst tree Vegetation Code in the span.
131
Provide additional remarks/information e.g. directions Enter into mobile device.

to the property or indications that a customer requires
to be contacted before works etc.
Provide information surrounding a concern raised by Enter into mobile device/ or raise directly
CP-PAL or a customer relating to a pole located on the with CP-PAL.
property. This information is represented as part of the
span data on the mobile device and can be updated by
crews and inspectors.
Provide information if the span may not be cleared by Enter the following parameters into
required target dates due to physical or situational mobile device.
reasons that make access to the span or Vegetation  Need access to Live Line – vegetation
difficult. that may be too close to the
conductor or that access by traditional
crews for vegetation action is
restricted.
 Shutdown – vegetation action that
cannot be completed safely by
traditional or Live Line crews without
power being isolated.
 Traffic Management – type of traffic
plan required for works at the span.
 Concerned customer – customers who
may require further negotiation to
enable the vegetation to be cut i.e.
customer may require notification to
be posted or to be present on site
when vegetation is being actioned.
 Access issues – instructions on how to
access the site or procedures such as
site inductions.
 Follow-up action – customer may
require notice of completion or
environmental permits may be
required to action the site. Inspector
may find information on site that
identifies an issue to be followed up.
 Wet Span – where the span cannot be
accessed by equipment or resources,
i.e. EWP, Climbing Crew or Tree
Felling Crew as the access is too wet
to traverse.
Where the tree within the span
cannot be accessed with the
necessary equipment or resources as
the area surrounding the tree(s) is
inaccessible as part of the span is
underwater or too wet to traverse.
Determine type of easement (area of work) i.e. rail Enter into mobile device.
crossing, creek crossing, farm land or urban street, as
per drop down list.
132
Determine if the Vegetation is hazardous i.e. comprise Enter into mobile device.
of dead or dangerous limbs; have physical defects or it
is apparent that there are other trees or limbs that may
be unstable and could fall on the powerline under the
range of weather conditions that can be reasonable
expected to prevail in that locality. Refer to CP-PAL’s
Vegetation Reference Guide for Guidance on
determining Hazard Trees. An Inspector will enter on
the Mobility Device in the hazard tree section. Once the
potential tree is entered in the VMS, it will be allocated
for action without further assessment, unless it is on
private property in which case, if it was not initially
reported by an arborist, an arborist will be assigned to
the tree to assess. If the tree is assessed as a hazard it
will be programed to be cut and if it is not, it will be
placed back into a cycle of normal inspection.
Determine the Vegetation Code for overhang, to inform Enter into mobile device.
when the Vegetation will be in the MCS (different to the
Vegetation to the side and underneath of the
conductor).
Identify the spans that require suppression or Enter into mobile device.
shutdown.
Identify if Vegetation that has been identified as one of Enter into mobile device.
that is of importance by various land mangers or
organisation’s i.e. Avenue of Honour trees, significant
road side vegetation EPBC.
Provide vegetation coding of up to 5 trees i.e. 2 trees Enter into mobile device.
are VP2, 1 code 16 and 2 code 24.
Identify trees that are taller than the conductor that Enter into mobile device.
could make contact with the line if it was to fall at
ground level (Note: number of tree is an estimate).
Define the land manager where the tree is located i.e. Enter into mobile device.
Private or Council.
Identify new Vegetation that has been planted by Enter into mobile device.
private or ORP that will affect the electrical assets, i.e.
commercial plantations.
Determine the concentration of Vegetation in the span Enter into mobile device.
i.e. 50% scrub located in the span or 10% saplings.
Determine the type of resources required to action the Enter into mobile device.
Vegetation in the span i.e. size of EWP, chipper/tipper
or ground crew, as per drop down list.
Determine the Vegetation Code to be assigned to the Enter into mobile device.
Span (refer to Vegetation Codes contained within the
vegetation management policy).
Provide Collect information of a past evidence of Enter into mobile device.
vegetation failure in the span, e.g. fallen limb, fallen
tree.
133
Identification of vegetation defect affecting Private Enter into mobile device.

Electric Line.
Task Detail
Collate Inspection Work Package/ Notifications

 The Inspection Work Package is comprised of data collated from the Vegetation
Work Bench that is relevant to the current Inspection:
o Vegetation Codes;
o Region reliability trends;
o Region maps (ground access);
o History;
o Completion dates;
o Concerned Customer;
o Significant Tree Register; and
o PEL.
 The Vegetation Contract Op Delivery Coordinator will determine from
discussions with Vegetation Manager the region and feeders required to be
inspected, as per the Execution Plan.
 The Technical Officer will formulate and allocate the Inspection Work Packages
in Vegetation Work Bench as per instruction from Vegetation Contract Op
Delivery Coordinator to contractor.
Conduct Inspection
 Inspectors will receive on Work Packages on their mobile Mobility Device from
the Vegetation Work Bench.
 Inspectors must ensure that the data they collect on their Mobility Device at the
span they are inspecting is accurate, consistent and free from typographical
error, duplication and omissions.
 Several controls have been put in place to mitigate the risk of incomplete and
inaccurate data captured into the Vegetation Work Bench:
o Implementation of preventative controls, for example:
 Mandatory fields (Vegetation Work Bench system control
mobile platform).
 Drop-down lists (Vegetation Work Bench system control).
 Pre-populated fields (Vegetation Work Bench system control).
 Environmental Due Diligence.
 OHS System Audit.
o Implementation of detective controls, for example:
 Automatic Vegetation Work Bench system flags to CP-PAL’s
Technical officers.
 Error reports that are produced in the Vegetation Work Bench
that will be analysed by Technical Officer and reported to the
Vegetation Contract Op Delivery Coordinator, contractor and
134
Vegetation Manager.
 Periodic analysis of Vegetation data.
 Process performance metrics.
 Onsite Vegetation Quality Reviews.
 Payment restrictions.
 The Inspection activity examines the span length and conductor type to
determine the MCS required for coding.
 In assessing each span, Inspectors are required to:
o Make an allowance for regrowth based on existing conditions (Climate,
Rainfall, localised conditions) and Tree Type and health;
o Consider Historic Declaration Dates and existing growth patterns;
o Allow for regrowth for the region as per the cycle for the span;
o Consider Local and Regional Conditions; and
o Include an allowance for the sag and/or sway.
 Inspectors are to ensure that spans have an appropriate year code associated
with that particular span:
o The updated year Vegetation Code may be coded out into the next year
(due to slow growing conditions) or be brought back a year depending
on growing conditions and other factors influencing the span’s growth
potential as per Vegetation Codes set out in the vegetation
management policy; and
o Refer to the Vegetation Reference Guide for guidance on determining
vegetation growth/regrowth rates to apply in deciding what year
Vegetation Code to assign.
 Inspectors will collate information as specified by CP-PAL in the Inspection Data
Collection template synced from the Vegetation Work Bench onto Mobility
Devices:
o The most important part of the Inspection process is the recording of
Vegetation status and ensuring that data is updated into the Vegetation
Work Bench which is an automated process;
o Mobility devices will be used for all ground based Inspections;
o Inspection of the span is only considered complete at the point when
Inspection Data has been submitted and successfully uploaded into the
Vegetation Work Bench; and
o Data cannot be entered into the system if it does not match the VMS
requirements.
 To ensure that all Vegetation identified as being within the MCS is actioned in a
timely manner, it is important for the Inspector to be familiar with the
Vegetation Management Policy.
 The Vegetation Management Policy provides guidance on the time-frame for the
actioning of all Vegetation within the MCS in:
o High Bushfire Risk Areas (HBRA) during the Fire Danger Period;
o In HBRA outside the Fire Danger Period; and
o In Low Bushfire Risk Areas (LBRA).
135
Urgent Vegetation
o Ensure that the observation is tagged as “Urgent Vegetation” in the
Mobility Device; and
Vegetation Contract Op Delivery Coordinator. Where the Coordinator is
not available, contact the Vegetation Manager. Contact is to be via
telephone call and email.
 At the discretion of the CP-PAL’s Vegetation Manager, CP-PAL will engage
Cutters to perform the urgent Cutting or removal of Vegetation in the following
circumstances:
o Encroachment or growth that was unanticipated in the Vegetation
Execution Plan;
o Fallen tree or tree becoming damaged and entering into the Minimum
Clearance Space ;
o Confirmation by an arborist of an imminent likelihood of contact with
electrical assets;
o Cutting will be in accordance with clause 6.6 of the Code;
o The works will be sent to the cutting contractor from the Vegetation
Work Bench as a work order; and
When works are complete the crew will update the work order and in turn this will
update the Work Bench.
136
2.3 Private Electric Line Inspection – Work Instruction
Purpose
This Work Instruction shall be conducted to ensure compliance to the following provisions:
 Compliance with Electricity Safety Act (ESA) 1998 Regulations and Amendments;
 Compliance with Electric Line Clearance Plans (ELCMP);
 Notification of Non-Compliant vegetation to Private Electric Line owners; and
 Identification of Non-Compliant trees where the tree causing Non-Compliance is on a different
property than the Private Electric line (and therefore either CP-PAL’s responsibility or an ORP
Council’s responsibility to action).
Applies To
 All Private Electric Lines connected to CP/PAL Distribution Network;
 CP-PAL’s Inspection Contractors (LiDAR and ground-based-visual vegetation inspectors); and
 CP-PAL personnel who undertake Vegetation roles.

For ground-based visual inspections, the person conducting this Work Instruction must have the
qualifications and skills as detailed in the VESI Skills Matrix for ‘Assessor’.
 Mobility Device;
 Vegetation clearance Charts;
 Current Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations; and
 Electric Line Clearance Plans.
“Note” Photo Identification must also be carried at all times and worn when entering private property
For LiDAR inspections, the LiDAR Inspection contractor will conduct the automated vegetation clearance
calculation and PEL and tree owner identification process in accordance with methods and algorithms
specified in CP-PAL’s LiDAR Inspection contract specifications.
Records of Output
 Collated inspection data (uploaded into VMS); and
 Weekly Notification lists of all PEL Non-Compliances requiring written notification issue by CP-PAL
Customer Compliance Group.
137
Process Outline Private Line Inspection and Notification

Private Electric Line Inspection and Notification Process

Vegetation Inspector
Conducts PEL
PEL code non-
Clearance Inspection
compliance recorded
(by LiDAR or ground
in VMS
inspection)
Contract Ops Del
Coordinator
Vegetation
Weekly report Records

generated listing PEL actioned Records
code non-compliances in VMS actioned
in VMS
Customer Compliance
Standard letter mail Customer Compliance

Reminder notice
out to each PEL Group receives On Total Fire Ban
issued at expiry of Customer response
property owner customer notification Days customer is
requirement referred to VCODC
Group
notifying code non- response – relays to disconnected

implementation date
compliance VCODC
Yes Yes No
No
Customer
Customer actions Customer acts on

Customer receives
vegetation and reminder notice and
code non-compliance
reports rectification to reports rectification to
notification
CP-PAL CP-PAL
138
Task Detail
Step 1 Inspector Conducts PEL Inspection

Instruction  If the inspection is done by a ground-based inspector, the Non-Compliance will
be recorded on the Inspectors mobility device as a VP Coded span, and
uploaded to VMS. A timeline for action is determined based on VP rating
system.
 If the inspection is done by LiDAR, the Non-Compliance will automatically be
calculated by the LiDAR system based calculated proximity of vegetation to the
Private Electric Line, and the ownership of the offending tree will be
determined using tree trunk location and cadastral data – this will be used to
determine the responsible party and property address for issue of non-
Compliance notices.
 The Technical Officer LiDAR will format LiDAR inspection results data for import
into VMS, and generate a weekly report of PEL owner Non-Compliances for
referral to CP-PAL’s Customer Compliance Group (which will then execute
notification procedures).
Notes to Step 2 Non-Compliance Issue by Customer Compliance Group (CCG)

 Customer Compliance Group issues PEL Non-Compliance notifications to PEL
owners (using CCG standard letter template and mail out process). Compliance
notices include an “Action required by” date based on CP-PAL’s VP urgency
classification system (in accordance with CP-PAL’s Vegetation Management
Policy).
 When a customer has actioned the Non-Compliant vegetation and returned the
Action Completed form to CP-PAL (received by the CCG), CCG relays completion
of required works to the Vegetation Contract Operations Delivery Coordinator
who records the Non-Compliance close-out in VMS.
 If no response to the notification has been received by CP-PAL by the “Action
required by” date, CCG will issue a Reminder Notice (which contains a warning
that if action is not taken and reported as complete to CP-PAL by the due date,
Total Fire Ban disconnection procedures will apply).
Notes to Step 3 Un-actioned PEL Non-Compliances

 Until CP-PAL receives written advice that the Non-Compliance has been
appropriately actioned, it is assumed the Non-Compliance remains, and thus
remains as an open defect/non-compliance in CP-PAL’s VMS.
 When Total Fire Bans (TOBAN) are declared any Non-Compliant Private Electric
Lines in the declared TOBAN area will be issued for disconnection.
139
2.4 Fault Follow Up Inspection – Work Instruction
Purpose
This Work Instruction shall be conducted to ensure:
 Mandatory Fault Follow Up (FFU) reporting is undertaken for major vegetation-caused faults (those
with CMOS exceeding 100,000 minutes);
 Appropriate discretionary Fault Follow Up is undertaken to improve understanding about vegetation
fault/failure modes; and
 That fault data is collected by fault crews for faults deemed to be caused by vegetation, so that
appropriate Fault Follow Up can be facilitated.
Applies To
 All spans within the CP-PAL Distribution Network;
 CP-PAL’s personnel who undertake Fault Follow Up inspections for vegetation-caused outages; and
 CP-PAL personnel Vegetation roles who communicate with CP-PAL personnel who manage or
undertake fault response.

For CP-PAL personnel undertaking vegetation-caused Fault Follow Up inspections, the person conducting
this Work Instruction must have the qualifications and skills as detailed in the VESI Skills Matrix for
auditors.
The tools and equipment needed to perform the key activities are listed as:
 CP-PAL vegetation Reference Guide.
“Note” Photo Identification must also be carried at all times and worn when entering private property.
Records of Output
 Collated FFU inspection data (uploaded into VMS);
 For Major Faults (CMOS > 100,000 minutes), a full Fault Follow Up Report; and
 Arborist report on tree failure cause for major faults and discretionary tree failure investigations.
140
Process Outline Fault Follow-Up

Fault Follow-Up Process
Fault Crew Note 1

Fault Crew
investigates fault &

records fault data in
OMS
Non-transient fault
occurs requiring Fault
Crew response
Vegetation Q&E
Team Leader
Peruses all fault Note 2

reports to find reports
involving vegetation Quality review of FFU
Initiates mandatory report
on discretionary
vegetation FFU
Vegetation FFU Inspector
Investigates
vegetation cause of
Yes
fault & prepares
major fault report
Major fault?
Inspects fault site Note 3

(span) vegetation &
No enters inspection
results & cause into
Mobile Device
141
Task Detail
Note 1 Fault Crew record entry into OMS

Instruction  Non-transient faults investigated by Fault Crews and fault data entered into
OMS.
 For Faults identified to be caused by Vegetation, the Fault Cause selected is
“Vegetation”. For “Vegetation” caused faults, sub-cause information shall also
be entered selecting from:
Sub-causes:
 Tree: CP-PAL responsibility
o Tree: CP-PAL responsibility – Compliant.
o Tree: CP-PAL responsibility – Non-Compliant.
o Tree: Council responsibility – Compliant.
o Tree: Council responsibility – Non-Compliant.
o Tree: Customer responsibility – Compliant.
o Tree: Customer responsibility – Non-Compliant.
o Bark/branch.
o A Comment Field is also available for recording additional relevant
information.
Note: The present Vegetation Sub-Cause category option drop-downs are
inadequate. RIN Reporting requirements require reporting of Ground Fires caused
by vegetation, and in three vegetation sub-categories:
 Grow-in;
 Fall-in; and
 Blow-in.
The Sub-Cause category options under “Vegetation” need to be amended to enable
capture of the following data:
 Vegetation Category:
o Grow-in.
o Fall-in.
o Blow-in.
 Did Fault Cause Ground Fire?
o Yes or No option.
 Vegetation -Compliant?
o Yes or No option.
 Vegetation Responsibility:
o CP-PAL.
o Council.
o Customer.
 Vegetation location:
o Enter nearest pole ID.
Optional additional category
 Ground fire type:
o 1. Did not spread from ignition point vegetation.
o 2. Remained in cleared area under power line.
o 3. Spread from clear area under power lines to adjacent vegetation.
142
Until such time as the appropriate fault data collection fields can be programmed
into OMS, the CP-PAL Vegetation Manager will need to develop and deliver training
in Vegetation-Caused Fault comment field completion for Fault Crews, so the above
data can be collected via the Comment Field.
When the appropriate fault data collection fields have been programmed into OMS
they should be mandatory fields (record cannot be completed until all Sub-Cause
data fields completed).
Note 2 Vegetation-caused Fault Follow Up Decision

 It is mandatory to initiate Vegetation Fault Follow-Up Inspection on all Major
Vegetation-Caused Faults (CMOS>100,000 mins).
 It should also be made mandatory to initiate Vegetation Fault Follow Up
Inspection on all Vegetation-caused Faults with a Sub-Cause of “Fall-in” in
Bushfire Construction Areas.
 Discretionary Vegetation Fault Follow-Up Inspection should be considered for
Vegetation-caused Faults with a Sub-Cause of “Fall-in” in HBRA, Comment field
indicating Trees inside MCS or Trees Down.
143
Note 3 Vegetation-Caused Fault Follow Up Inspection

 For Vegetation-Caused Fault Follow-Up Inspections involving a Fall-in Tree, it is
highly preferable that the tree be inspected by a Level 4 Arborist.
 Fall-in tree inspection during Vegetation FFU should include assessment of:
o Was the tree recorded presently or at any previous time been recorded ,
in VMS as a Hazardous Tree?
o Did any externally visible tree stem, branch or root structural defects
contribute to tree/branch failure? If so – specify.
o Did any tree stem, branch or root structural defects that would not be
visible from the direction viewed during normal ground-based visual
inspection, contribute to tree/branch failure? If so – specify.
o What, if any, structural defects where not externally visible and
contributed to tree/branch failure? If so – specify.
o Was the tree lean a contributing factor? If so – give an estimate.
o What wind strengths (average maximum, and maximum gust strengths)
would have been applicable at the site at the time of failure? (Obtain
data from the Bureau of Meteorology Observations web page or for the
most applicable local weather station site).
o Did the tree appear to be affected by a recent fire or within the (last 12
months)?
o Were there any other factors that may have contributed to the
tree/branch failure?
o Any other relevant information.
144
Chapter 3
Vegetation Action
145
3. Manage Vegetation Action

Trigger Event
This process starts when the following event has occurred or requirements are met:
 The area has been identified for Vegetation clearance through Vegetation Inspection, Consultation,
ad hoc reporting or review of existing data.
Outcomes
On completion of this process, the following criteria have been achieved:
 Vegetation clearance has been actioned in a standardised and effective manner to ensure
compliance with the ELCMP, and Electric Line Clearance Regulations; and
 All applicable legislation requirements, Health & Safety and Environmental concerns have been
taken into consideration.
Records of Outputs
 Environmental Due Diligence; and
 Cutting Work Package completed.
 M code added to the relevant Span code for any span which has been approved by the CP-PAL
Vegetation Manager to be managed as an exception under the Code of Practice for Electric Line
Clearance.
146
Process Outline Manage Vegetation Action

Manage Vegetation Action

Vegetation Contract Op Delivery Officer
FROM
Conduct Vegetation
Inspection Procdure
FROM
Conduct Consultation for VMS
Vegetation Action Procedure #3
Manage
Outstanding
Spans
Manage Vegetation Action
FROM
Development of the
Annual Execution Plan
TO:
Vegetation Manager
Verify Contractor
Technical Officer,
Compliance & Determine

Amount Payable
#1
Compile
Vegetation Update VMS
Action Work
Package
(contractors)
Vegetation
#2
Cutters
Execute
Vegetation
Action
147
Task Detail
Notes to Step 1 Issue Cutting Work Package
 Purpose of the Cutting Work Package is to provide information to Contractors
on the location of works, site information, including restrictions, environmental
significance, customer requests (i.e. for requirement to be present).
 The Cutting Works Package is compiled using the Compile Vegetation Action
Work for Package Work Instructions.
 The Cutting Work Package comprises of data collated from the Vegetation
Workbench that is relevant to the current Vegetation clearance activity:
o Data collected from Inspections; and
o Environmental Due Diligence findings.
Notes to Step 2 Execute Vegetation Action

As per Execute Vegetation Action Work Instruction, the contractor is required to
plan vegetation works and provide notification to affected landowners of such
works.
Notes to Step 2 Management of Outstanding Spans

As per Management of Outstanding Spans during the Fire Season Guideline.
148
3.1 Compile Vegetation Action Work Package – Work Instruction
Purpose
2015. This Work Instruction identifies the actions required to achieve line clearance objectives for the
purposes of prevention of fire and vegetation related reliability issues in an environmentally responsible
manner.
This Work Instruction shall be followed to ensure:
 Compliance with Electric Line Clearance Management Plans (ELCMP);
 Prevention of vegetation infringing clearance requirements along the CP, PAL and TOA network; and
 Mitigation of vegetation related outages.
This process aims to ensure that:
 Content Guideline Work Packages are issued to Vegetation Contractors via the Vegetation
Management System (VMS) to enable the clearing of vegetation to be performed in a standardised,
effective manner, taking into consideration applicable legislation requirements, Health & Safety and
Environmental concerns.
Applies To
 Vegetation within CP-PAL Distribution Network or within the vicinity of CP-PAL power lines;
 All CP and PAL personnel who undertake Vegetation roles;
 Job Role – Technical Officer, Vegetation Management; and
 Manage Vegetation Action.
Authorisation and Access

The person conducting this Work Instruction must have the following authorisation and access:
 Vegetation Technical Officer.

The person conducting this Work Instruction must have the following qualifications and skills:
 Vegetation Technical Officer; and
 Proficient in the use of CP-PAL Vegetation Management System.
Records of Output
 Cutting Work Package; and
 Issued in a timely manner.
149
Process Outline Compile Vegetation Action Work Package

Title: Compile Vegetation Action Work Package
TO: FROM:
Engagement & Quality
Conduct Customer Conduct Customer

Complaints & Consultation Complaints & Consultation
Team Leader
for Vegetation Action for Vegetation Action

Technical Officer
FROM: #1 #2 #3
Vegetation
Manage Vegetation Extract / Receive Undertake Due Issue Vegetation
Management
Inspection Procedure Cutting Works Diligence Cutting Work
System
required from VMS Assessment Package
FROM:
Execution Plan
TO
Contractor
Execute Vegetation Action

Work Instruction
150
Task Detail
Notes to Step 1 The Manage Vegetation Inspection and Conduct Consultation for Vegetation Action
processes will generate notifications in the Workbench for Vegetation Action. The
Technical Officers and Vegetation Contract Op Delivery Officer will meet each
Tuesday to determine the work packages to be issued to ensure that works are
completed using available resources and to align with the Execution Plan. The
Technical Officers will review new Cutting notifications that are created on a daily
basis to ensure that spans identified as VP s are actioned within required
timeframes as set out in the Vegetation Management Policy.
Notes to Step 2 Undertake Environmental Due Diligence

 The Environmental Due Diligence is a fact-finding mission that reviews and
evaluates the areas identified for Vegetation clearance to:
o Protect CP-PAL by making sure all potential environmental issues
are known prior to Clearing activity;
o Ensure that the area is free from material environmental issues that
may prevent performance of the Clearing activity; and
o Ensure that all Federal, State and Local Government environmental
legislations are being upheld.
 The Environmental Due Diligence is performed to meet the requirements of
the:
o CP-PAL – Environmental Policy; and
o Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
(EPBC Act).
Desktop Searches (Technical Officer)
 Technical Officer is to undertake desktop searches, to identify any
Significant Native vegetation, Victorian and National threatened species
and ecological communities as follows:
o Search by Work Area
 Department of the Environment and Primary Industries
Biodiversity Interactive Website, utilising the CP-PAL
Google Earth Enterprise Environmental overlay.
o Search by Feeder Area
 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
1999 (EPBC Act), List of threatened flora, List of threatened
ecological communities, List of threatened fauna and the
Protected Matters Search Tool.
 http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-
bin/sprat/public/publicthreatenedlist.pl?wanted=flora
 The Technical Officer will issue, via email, to the Vegetation Contract
Operational Delivery Officer where important or significant vegetation has
been identified in the above searches for further assessment, i.e. site visit,
stakeholder engagement.
151
 Receive confirmation from Vegetation Contract Operational Delivery

Officer, via email, that the issue of important or significant vegetation has
been resolved (Vegetation Contract Operational Delivery Officer required to
enter how this has been resolved into VMS).
 Document management – Ensure all relevant findings and information are
included in the Cutting Work Package (including attachments).
Referral for significant vegetation identified in desktop search – Vegetation

Contract Operational Delivery Officer
Receive request from Technical Officer to review important or significant vegetation

 Conduct further Site field assessment if threatened or Significant flora and
fauna identified;
 Stakeholder Engagement – Vegetation Contract Operational Delivery
Officer is to liaise with governing bodies, where required (e.g. local council,
Victorian Government, etc.);
 Engage ecologist to conduct desktop search or site visit and provide report;
 Document outcomes in VMS; and
 Refer back to Technical Officer, via email.
Notes to Step 3 The Vegetation Cutting Work Package is issued to the Vegetation Management
System as below.
Cutting Notification Processing
Notifications with Coding Code – CUT – that are identified with Work Type TRIM created following
Inspection (or manual creation) will be in the Unassigned Notifications Tab in the Workbench.
Notifications with Coding Code – CUT – that are identified with Work Type REMV created following
Inspection (or manual creation) will be in the Unassigned Notifications Tab in the Workbench.

1. In the Unassigned Notifications tab select
Cutting Notifications and click
2. In the work type pop up box select

standard for TRIM or Non Standard REMV
152
3. The system will determine the service lines

and present the following:
 If one contract exists then the
service line from that contract will
automatically be selected based on
contract mapping table.
 If more than 1 contract exists then
the user shall choose which service
lines are allocated.
4. Orders are generated with an

Click
external operation and the
service line added.
Notifications are moved from
Unassigned notifications to
Planned (Not Release) list.
Release Work
notifications)
3. Select cutting lines to be released Cutting lines selected
4.
Click
5. Deselect “Send work to contractor” if you Work Orders are released and
are not sending a list of work to the moved from Planned (not
contractor. released) to Released/Send
to Field
153
3.2 Execute Vegetation Action – Work Instruction
Purpose
2015. This Work Instruction identifies the actions required to achieve vegetation clearance objectives for
the purposes of prevention of fire and vegetation related reliability issues in an environmentally
responsible manner.
This Work Instruction shall be followed to ensure all areas are complied with:
 Compliance with Electric Line Clearance Management Plans (ELCMP);
 Prevention of vegetation infringing clearance requirements along the CP, PAL and TOA network;
 Adherence to CP-PAL Vegetation Management Policy, Vegetation Strategy and Execution Plan;
 Mitigation of vegetation related outages; and
 Adherence to the CP-PAL Environmental Policy.
This process aims to ensure that:

 Clearing of vegetation is performed in a standardised and effective manner; and
 Applicable legislation requirements, Health & Safety and Environmental concerns are taken into
consideration.
 Spans that in which CP-PAL are unable to achieve the MCS are recorded and actioned via either
exception provision or as Alternative Compliance Mechanisms.
Applies To
 CP-PAL personnel who undertake Vegetation roles;
 CP-PAL contractors engaged to execute Vegetation activities;
 Vegetation – Ground Crew;
 Tree Climbers;
 Cutters; and
 Manage Vegetation Action.
Hazards
Instruction:
 Refer to the Employees Working Alone Policy, section 7.15 of CP-PAL Health and Safety Manual; and
154

The person conducting this Work Instruction must have the following authorisation and access:
 Australian ESI Skills Passport.

The person conducting this Work Instruction must have the following qualifications and skills:
In regards to this procedure, “Execute Vegetation Action” the following is highlighted:
 Task (main activity(s) to be performed):
o Refer to Vegetation Quality Review Schedule – Quality Review Inspector Requirements and
Process to Undertake Tasks for definition.
 VESI Skills and Training Matrix.
 Tools & Equipment (enablers to perform task):
o Vehicle suited to the environment;
o Mobility Device (as specified in the Contract);
o Vegetation clearance Charts;
o Current Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations; and
o Electric Line Clearance Management Plans (ELCMP).
Records of Output
 Environmental Due Diligence; and
 Cutting Work Package completed and uploaded.
155
Task Detail
Notes Requirements of Contractor
As part of the contract arrangement, all contractors are required to augment their
JSEAs or adopt CP-PAL’s JSEA to ensure that appropriate controls are put in place for
the following works practices:
Noise
o At all times, the noise emissions must be in accordance with State
environment protection policy SEPP N-1 or where applicable, in accordance
with EPA publication: Noise from Industry in Regional Victoria. Any person
who emits or causes to be emitted objectionable noise within the means of
the regulations would be guilty of an offence and liable to a penalty; and
o Normal working hours will be restricted where practical, to between 7am
and 6pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 1pm Saturday, where activities are
expected to cause nuisance noise.
Waste
o Waste to be disposed of in accordance with the Contract; and
o Waste includes (but is not limited to) mulch matter, clippings, branches and
general waste.
Incident Reporting
o Contractor to report all Environmental Incidents to the Responsible Officer
i.e. CP-PAL’s Vegetation Contract Op Delivery Officer who will perform an
investigation and report via CP-PAL’s SafetyLinks system; and
o Type of environmental Incidents include (but is not limited to) unauthorised
removal/damage of flora and fauna, transfer of contaminated soils, pests or
weeds from site, chemical, oil or fuel spills, a pollution event , noise
complaints etc.
Chemical Management
o All chemicals in use are to be pre-approved by CP-PAL;
o Ensure herbicide used is an approved herbicide as per the contract and as
per Herbicide label instructions;
o If a new product is used, Contractor to first obtain approval from the CP-PAL
Responsible Officer (RO);
o Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are to be made available to the
Contractor and must be in-date 5 years;
o The chemicals in use are to be stored and transported as per the MSDS e.g.
a locked toolbox/ container away from fresh water, food etc.; and
o Vehicles leaking chemicals must be removed from service and bunded until
either removed from site or repaired.
Onsite Re-fuelling
o During re-fuellings, care should be taken to avoid spillage;
o Contractor to have a spill kits available and staff to be trained in their use;
o Re-fuelling shall not take place within close proximity to a drainage line,
storm water inlet, waterway or other sensitive areas; and
o Vehicles leaking fuel or oils must be removed from service and bunded until
either removed from site or repaired.
156
Notes (Cont) Conduct Calling-Card Notification

 Cutter (Contractor) to conduct letter-drop of Trees and Powerline Pending Work
Notification as per requirements of the 14-60 day time period in the Electric Line
Clearance (Vegetation) Management Plan. The contractor will receive
notification via the Vegetation Management System with a task to issue a letter
drop. Once this task is completed and updated in the System, a task for Action is
automatically generated.
Approach & Methodology (how to perform task):

 The cutting crew will follow the required actions as per the cutting work
packages on the mobile device. Every span that has been allocated will be
actioned as per their Direction.
 All information relating to the allocated works will be entered on the service
provider’s mobility devices that will be linked to CP-PAL’s Integrated Vegetation
Management System.
 In order to maintain the MCS required by the ELCMP, one or more of the
following Vegetation Actions may be requested by CP-PAL (but is not limited
to):
o Pruning of existing trees;
o Removal of existing trees;
o Removal of unsuitable species not necessarily at mature height but is
most likely to grow into the MCS at maturity; and
o Herbicide application of stumps to prevent re-growth.
o Referral back to CP-PAL of spans which are unable to meet the MCS,
LBRA only, which contain trees of a type referred to in clauses 4, 5 & 6
of the Code of Ppractice for Electric Line Clearance.
Manage Outstanding Spans

 The following process is to be followed in the event that vegetation is unable to
be actioned due to Wet Weather or a Concerned Customer:
o Inside Declared Fire Season:
 Update Vegetation Management System; and
 Refer to Management of Outstanding Spans during the Fire Season.
o Outside Declared Fire Season:
 Update Wet Weather/Concerned Customer Register (in Vegetation
Management System); and
 This information can be entered into the Vegetation Management
System by Cutters, Inspectors and the CP-PAL Vegetation
Management team.
157
Chapter 4
Vegetation Contractor
Compliance & Quality
Assurance
158
4. Verify Vegetation Contractor Compliance and

Determine Amount Payable
Trigger Event
This process starts when the following events have been initiated:
 Conduct Vegetation Inspection; (including LiDAR inspection)
 Manage Vegetation Action; and
 At the request of the Vegetation Manager or delegate.
 When a referral has been made requiring assessment of a span for inclusion as an M type span.
Outcomes
On completion of this process:
 CP-PAL will have performed an objective and independent assessment of Vegetation works
undertaken by a contractor and provided the business with reasonable assurance that:
o Data collected from Inspections is accurate and complete;
o All spans have been inspected as per direction;
o Vegetation has been cut and actioned as determined per Contract scope or Direction;
o A safe and effective work place for all employees, contractors, subcontractors and the
general public has been maintained;
o Regulatory requirements associated with vegetation has been achieved; and
o Payment will be made to the contractor for works completed according to CP-PAL Contract
requirements.
Records of Outputs
 Vegetation Quality Review Schedule;
 Job Safety and Environmental Assessment; and
 Quality Review Results.
 Span Code noted with the “M” designation as approved for exception.
159
Process Outline Contractor Compliance Amount Payable

Verify Vegetation Contractor Compliance & Determine
Title Amount Payable
Phase
Vegetation Manger
#3
Approve Payment Conduct Vegetation
Reporting Procedure
Engagement & Quality Team
FROM: Conduct
Vegetation Reporting
Procedure
#1
Leader
Determine Scope of Vegetation Vegetation

FROM: Conduct Quality Reivew and Management Management
Vegetation Inspection Assign to Staff or System System
Contractor
FROM: Manage
Vegetation Action
Procedure
Engagement & Quality Officer
#2
Undertake Quality
Review as per
Conduct Quality
Review Work
Instruction
160
Task Detail
Notes to Step 1 Determine Scope of Quality Review and Assign Vegetation Quality Officers
 The Engagement & Quality Team Leader will coordinate the completion of the
Quality Review Schedule using suitably qualified staff or contractors.
 The Engagement & Quality Team Leader and Engagement & Quality Officers
(internal or contracted) are responsible for the conduct of the Vegetation
Quality Reviews.
 VMS randomly selects a sample of sites from a work package for auditing. The
size of the sample is based on a percentage selected by the Engagement and
Quality Team leader. Reference Engagement and Quality Audit Work
Instruction.
 The engagement and Quality Team Leader will assign a suitably qualified
Engagement and Quality Officer to assess and determine the suitability of a
referred span for inclusion in the database as a managed span.
Notes to Step 2 Undertake Quality Review

 CP-PAL’s vegetation reviews are primarily targeted as a review and verification
of systems. These office-based reviews are further supported by field
verification and compliance monitoring, as required.
 The Vegetation Audit Schedule is updated annually and shall be referred to for
direction in conducting Quality Reviews.
 Quality Review to be undertaken as per:
o Conduct Quality Review Work Instruction;
o Quality Review Schedule;
o Vegetation clearance Charts; and
o Quality Review Scope.
o Code of Practice for Electric Line Clearance clauses 4, 5, 6 and 31.
Notes to Step 3 Approve Contractor for Payment

 Validate that the contractor has been awarded a “Pass”.
 Review documents prepared for payment to determine accuracy.
 Route to CP-PAL Accounts Payable department for payment execution.
161
4.1 Conduct Quality Review – Work Instruction
Purpose
This Work Instruction shall be conducted to ensure:
 Compliance with Electric Line Clearance Plans (ELCMP);
 Prevention of vegetation infringing clearance requirements along the CP, PAL and TOA network; and
 Mitigation of vegetation related outages.
This process aims to:

 Review the effectiveness of the Vegetation process vis-à-vis the Vegetation Strategy and the
Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations;
 Determine any re-work or defective work rectification required; and
 Assess a referred span for suitability as a “managed span”; and
 Determine amount payable to contractors.
Applies To
 CP-PAL personnel who undertake Vegetation roles; and
 CP-PAL contractors engaged to execute Vegetation activities.
Hazards
The warnings below alert the user to potential health and safety hazards specific to this Work Instruction
and the assurance to our policy and procedures:

The person conducting this Work Instruction must have the following authorisation and access
entitlements:
 Engagement & Quality Officers.
 Technical officers
 Contractors
162
The person conducting this Work Instruction (field assessment only) must have the qualifications and
skills as detailed in the VESI Skills Matrix – Auditor (for internal inspectors) and the Skills Matrix – General
Auditor – in the Supply of Vegetation Management Services – Inspection Contract (for external
inspectors).
 Electric Line Clearance Plans (ELCMP).
Photo Identification must be carried at all times and worn when entering private property.
Records of Output
Process Measure/Metric Issue Addressed Evidence Location
Cycle Time for performing Lengthy period to conduct VMS (Date Stamps)
Inspection Quality Review Inspection/ Cutting Quality
Review
Cycle Time for performing Lengthy period to conduct VMS (Date Stamps)
Cutting audit Inspection/ Cutting Quality
Review
No. of Inspection Data Compliance and accuracy VMS
errors of Inspection Data
recorded
No. of Cutting Data errors Compliance and accuracy VMS
of Cutting Data recorded
No. of Other Vegetation Compliance and accuracy VMS
Quality Review errors of Vegetation works
performed
163
Process Outline Stakeholder Activities
Conduct Quality Review VM.CI.1.WI01
Vegetation
Manager
#9
Approve &
Yes
Refer on for
Payment
Vegetation Over-cut
#8
Determine
#3 B Action
Review Audit
failure and
Vegetation
determine next
Under-cut
course of action
Yes
A
Engagement
and Quality
Coord
No
No
Engagement & Quality
Conduct Vegetation #2
Inspection/Action Pass?
#1
Officer
Conduct #7
Quality Review Conduct Quality Pass?
Re-Review
Other vegetation
#2
Audit/Safe Work
Pass?
Practice, etc
Yes
Inspectors/Cutters
(Contractors)
#4 #5 #6
Compliance Conduct Re- Conduct Re-
Required Inspection Cutting
A B C
164
Task Detail
Step 1 Conduct Quality Review

Instruction  The Vegetation Audit Schedule is updated annually and shall be referred to for
direction in the conduct of CP-PAL’s Vegetation Audits, particularly:
o Scope – provides for Primary, Targeted and Ad hoc audits;
o Structure Guidelines – provides suggestions on baseline review areas;
o Process – provides direction on planning and preparation,
commencement, conclusion, documentation, review, presentation and
monitoring of action items;
o Results – provides definition on conformances and non-conformances;
and
o Stakeholder Reporting – provides RASCI of key vegetation stakeholders.
 Sample size for Vegetation Audits is determined as 10%. The Work Bench will
allocate 10% of the following works for Audit:
o Inspection/Cutting data entered into Vegetation Management System;
and
o Work stipulated in each agreement between CP-PAL and the
Vegetation contractor.
 The Quality Review will be undertaken utilising the Quality Review Schedule
and the Vegetation clearance Charts.
 The “Managed Span” review shall be conducted to ensure that each
requirement of the Code of Practice for Electric Line Clearance is met.
o The trees meet the size and clearance requirements of the Code;
o Where applicable the advice of an arborist has been obtained and is
recorded against the span in SAP
o The CP-PAL Vegetation Manager has approved the application of the
exception;
o The span/s are coded by the addition of an M in the span code to
indicate they are a “managed span”
Notes to Step 2 Pass?

 A “Pass” is awarded to the contractor only when 100% conformance is achieved.
 Non-conformances shall be determined in strict accordance with the particular
Audit Scope. Any significant issues identified, which fall outside of the audit
scope may be recorded as Observations.
 A Non-Conformance is defined as failure to comply or achieve the base
expressed requirements of any:
o Regulation;
o Contract clause;
o Policy;
o Work Instruction;
o Procedure;
o Contract Occupational, Health & Safety (OHS) plan; and
165
o Control Measure.
 For further details on criteria for the award of audit findings, refer to “Audit
Results (Non-Conformances, Observations and Improvement Opportunities)”
within the Vegetation Audit Schedule Guideline.
Notes to Step 3 Review Audit failure and determine next course of action
 A – Failure relates to Contract Occupational, Health & Safety (OHS), Personnel,
Vehicles and Plant to be referred on to contractor to confirm compliance.
 B – Vegetation related works to be referred on to contractor for reinspection.
 C – Vegetation under-cut to be referred on to contractor to rectify.
 Vegetation over-cut to be referred directly to Determine Action.
Step 7 Conduct Quality Re-Review

Instruction  A Re-Review is required on all non-conformances identified during the
Quality Review and that have been referred back to the contractor. A Re-
Review can be performed on:
o Inspection data non-conformances; and
o Vegetation being under-cut.
 Where the vegetation has been over-cut, “10#. Determine Penalties” step
should be invoked.
 100% compliance is required for all items being re-reviewed.
Step 8 Determine Action

Instruction  Penalties are in place to drive contractors to execute their agreed tasks with
accuracy and effectiveness.
 The following steps are to be performed in the event that a non-conformance
event is identified (during the “#1. Conduct Quality Review” step):
o Inspection data non-conformance: Perform Re-inspection;
o Vegetation under-cut: Perform Re-cutting; and
o Other vegetation Quality Review non-conformances: Perform
rectification of the non-conformance e.g. if training is not up-to-date, to
ensure training is obtained/passed; and if the wheels on the truck are
bare, to ensure that the truck wheels are changed, etc.
 In the event that serious safety non-conformances are found, these
shall be reported (by phone) to the Vegetation Manager ASAP to
enable appropriate action to be taken. These may require a
cessation of a work activity and/or immediate stand-down of a crew.
Step 9 Approve Contractor for Payment

Instruction  Validate that the contractor has been awarded a “Pass”.
 Review documents prepared for payment to determine accuracy.
 Route to CP-PAL Accounts Payable department for payment execution.
166
Chapter 5
Affected Persons Notification

& Consultation
167
5 Conduct Affected Persons Consultation for

Vegetation Action
Trigger Event
This process starts when notification of any of the following event has occurred:
 Need for notification to Affected Persons is identified as a result of:
o Where Inspection has recommended Vegetation Action occur and CP-PAL have approved
that Vegetation Action is required;
o General Communications and/or notification required; and
o Customer complaints & inquires related to Vegetation Management are received.
Outcomes
On completion of this process, the following has been achieved:
 Notification of Vegetation Action to Affected Persons; and
 Agreement on next course of action has been obtained.
Records of Outputs
The following records are possible outputs generated by this process and are to be retained as evidence:
 Trees and Powerline Pending Work Notification;
 Technical Alternative Application Form;
 A print and/or electronic media notification advising of pending works Notification to councils of
pending works in their council area in accordance with agreed protocol in a joint CP-PAL & Council
Tree Management Plan;
 Unsuitable Trees and Powerlines on Your Property Notice;
 Trees and Your Electricity Service Wire Notice; and
 Planting Trees near Powerlines – A Guide for Home Gardens and Rural Properties.
168
Process Outline Conduct Consultation with Affected Persons
Conduct Affected Persons Consultation for Vegetation

Action
Conduct Customer Complaints & Consultation for Vegetation
Conduct Vegetation Inspection Managing Customer

Procedure Complaints & Disputes
Vegetation Manager
Action
Engagement &
Quality Team
TO:
Leader
Customer Referrals/Complaints Consultation & Negotiation for

Vegetation Cutting/Removal Required Method to Maintain the Clearance
Space Work Instruction
Veg Contract Op
TO:
Del Officer
#1 Consultation & Negotiation for

Determine Significant/Important and/or Method to Maintain the
Consultation & Urgent Vegetation Clearance Space Work
Negotiation Cutting Required Instruction
Required
169
Task Detail
Notes to Step 1 Determine Consultation & Notification Required

Consultation and Notification on required vegetation action shall be conducted in
accordance with Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2015,
Schedule 1 – Code of Practice for Electric Line Clearance, clause 15 (7) (the Code).
Prior to vegetation action:
 A minimum of 14 but not more than 60 days of notice in writing shall be given to
all Affected Persons by the Vegetation contractor; or
 A print and/or electronic media notification advising of pending works.
When there is no response to an affected persons notice, this is deemed as an
approval and the cutting works will proceed as planned. Where there is a dispute in
relation to an affected persons notice, the dispute will be resolved in accordance
with dispute resolution process in the ELCMP.
The type and method of Consultation & Notification will be determined as follows:
o Urgent Vegetation – For emergency clearing situations, the Responsible
Person or landowner shall be notified as soon as practicable after the event,
in accordance with clause 18 (Notification And Record Keeping
Requirements For Urgent Cutting Or Removal) of the Code. Notification is
provided via a physical drop-off, posting or SMS of an urgent works notice.
o Significant/Important Vegetation – Prior to any pruning or clearing being
undertaken, CP-PAL shall notify all Affected Persons of the impact of the
recommended action and the steps to be taken.
Private Electric Lines (PELs) are noted in the VMS by the vegetation inspector and a
report is generated to the Customer Compliance Group.
170
5.1 Consultation and Negotiation for Method to Maintain the

regrowth Space – Work Instruction
Purpose
In conducting activities to ensure that the vegetation MCS is maintained around CP-PAL assets to comply
with the requirements of the Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2015, this Work
Instruction shall be conducted to ensure the:
 Notification of Affected Persons including Other Responsible Persons (ORP) affected by pruning,
clearing or other Vegetation activities;
 Consider most appropriate method to maintain the Minimum Clearance Space , including Alternative
Compliance Mechanisms;
 Management of any disputes to reach agreement on the next course of action;
 Reduction in complaints; and
 Improved Customer Satisfaction.
Applies To
 All CP-PAL personnel who undertake Vegetation roles; and
 All CP-PAL contractors engaged to execute Vegetation activities.
Hazards
The warnings below alert the user to potential health and safety hazards as specified in these Work
Instruction:
Records of Output
 Technical Alternative Application Form;
 Unsuitable Trees and Powerlines on Your Property Notice;
 Trees and Your Electricity Service Wire Notice;
 Planting Trees near Powerlines – A Guide for Home Gardens and Rural Properties; and
 Trees and Powerline Pending Work Notification.
171
Process Outline Method To Maintain Vegetation clearances

Consultation and Negotiation for Method to Maintain
the Clearance Space
Negotiation #5
Vegetation
direction
Manager
No Consult ESV for

Yes (determined) direction
No agreement/Alternate
Mechanism/
Exemption Sought
#4 Negotiate -
Engagement T/L
Alternative Mechanism/ Technical

Quality &
Technical Alternative Alternative/ Viable Agreement

Sought or Exemption Alternative to Tech Alternative/
by Affected Mechanism/ or agreement to cut
Person Cutting/
Exemption
No
Cutting/Removal
Engagement &
Quality Officer
req’d In
accordance with
#3
AS4373 as far as
Conduct Agreement
practicable Yes
Consultation & reached
Negotiation
Title
#3
Urgent Deferral or
Significant/Important Conduct
Cutting No Special Permit
Vegetation Consultation &
Works Agreed
Negotiation
#1
Determine #2 Arrange
Urgent Cutting
Requirements Urgent Cutting
Works
Works Update VMS
for Vegetation Yes
Consultation
Conduct Vegetation
Inspection Procedure
Vegetation Trimming
Required #3
Exectute Vegetation Conduct
Consultation &
Action
Negotiation
Exectute Vegetation Exectute Vegetation
Action Action
172
Task Detail
Notes to Step 1 Determine Requirements for Vegetation Consultation

Consultation and Notification on required vegetation action shall be conducted in
accordance with the Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2015,
Schedule 1 – Code of Practice for Electric Line Clearance (the Code), clause 15 (7).
A minimum of 14 but not more than 60 days’ notice is given in writing, or the
publication of a notice in a newspaper circulating in the general area informing all
Affected Persons prior to vegetation action.
 Unsuitable Species Identification:

 CP-PAL actively promotes responsible planting strategies with land owners, land
managers, Councils and the public to ensure that appropriate species are
planted near powerlines.
 Planting of inappropriate species near powerlines significantly adds to the cost
of complying with the Code.
 CP-PAL makes available free of charge, publications such as “Planting Trees near
Powerlines – A Guide for Home Gardens and Rural Properties”.
 Publication is available on the CP-PAL website, from the CP-PAL Call Centre
or CP-PAL representative.
 Significant/Important Vegetation:
 Special consideration is required in actioning Significant/ Important Vegetation
located in the vicinity of CP-PAL powerlines.
 Pruning or clearing for Significant/ Important Vegetation can only be
undertaken outside of the breeding season. Where it is not practicable to
undertake cutting or removal outside of the breeding season for that
species, translocation of the fauna will be undertaken wherever
practicable.
 Significant/ Important Vegetation located on private property will be
managed utilising the same processes as those located on public land.
 Significant/ Important Vegetation will be highlighted in the Joint CP-PAL &
Council Tree Management Plan.
The type and method of Consultation & Notification will be determined by the
Category of vegetation and Responsible Person as follows:
 Urgent Vegetation – For emergency clearing situations, the Responsible Person
or landowner shall be notified as soon as practicable after the event, in
accordance with clause 18 (Notification and Record Keeping Requirements For
Urgent Cutting Or Removal) of the Code. Notification is provided via a physical
drop-off, posting or SMS of an urgent works notice.
 Significant/ Important Vegetation – Prior to any pruning or clearing being
undertaken, CP-PAL shall notify all Affected Persons of the impact of the
recommended action and the steps to be taken.
 ORP – CP-PAL consults and notifies ORPs (public land) as per the Conduct
Consultation & Notification – ORP work instruction.
Note: Private Electric Lines (PELs) are noted in the VMS by the vegetation
inspector (as per Execute Vegetation Inspection work instruction and a report is
generated to the Customer Compliance Group from the VMS.
 In non-urban areas, the minimum level of notification required is via publication
173
in a newspaper.
IT System / Tool  VMS

Documentation  Unsuitable Trees and Powerlines on Your Property Notice
 Trees and Your Electricity Service Wire Notice
 Tree and Powerline Pending Work Notification
 Private Overhead Electric Lines Defect Management
Manual

 At the decision of the Vegetation Manager, CP-PAL will engage Cutters
(contractors) to perform the urgent cutting or removal of vegetation in the
following circumstances:
o Encroachment or growth that was unanticipated in the Vegetation
Execution Plan;
o Fallen tree or tree becoming damaged and entering into the Minimum
Clearance Space ;
o Confirmation by an arborist of an imminent likelihood of contact with
electrical assets; and/or
o Cutting will be in accordance with clause 13.2 of the Code.
 For emergency clearing situations, the Responsible Person or landowner shall be
notified as soon as practicable after the event, in accordance with clause 18
(Notification and Record Keeping Requirements For Urgent Cutting Or Removal)
of the Code. Notification is provided via a physical drop-off, posting or SMS of a
urgent works notice.
Documentation  Unsuitable Trees and Powerlines on Your Property Notice
 Trees and Your Electricity Service Wire Notice
 Notice by Publication Guideline
 Tree and Powerline Pending Work Notification
 Private Overhead Electric Lines Defect Management
Manual
174
Step 3 Conduct Consultation & Negotiation

Instruction Prior to any pruning or clearing being undertaken, CP-PAL, or its contractor, shall
notify all Affected Persons of the impact of the recommended action and the steps
to be taken.
In negotiating with Affected Persons for tree removal, the relevant officer is to
explore all options within their authority including discussion on the “Planting Trees
near Powerlines – A Guide for Home Gardens and Rural Properties” brochure.
Engagement & Quality Officers may provide the following goodwill gestures to
Affected Persons, as follows:
 Provision of Tree Mulch; and
 Nursery Vouchers to the value of $20 (the Engagement & Quality Team Leader
may increase this offer to a Nursery Voucher to the value of $100).
All agreed actions, including whether a voucher has been provided, are to be
recorded in the VMS. The provision of discretionary vouchers is to be monitored by
the Engagement & Quality Team Leader.
While CP-PAL must decide how to maintain the MCS as per the Code, this does not
preclude Affected Persons from negotiating conditions under which other solutions
may be undertaken. Alternate options for maintaining Minimum Clearance Space s
include, but is not limited to a:
 Technical Alternative – Engineering activity to alter a powerline where
the costs are generally borne by the individual making the request
(Technical Alternative Application Form);
 Deferral – Vegetation Contract Op Delivery Officer will negotiate with
Affected Persons where vegetation action is to be postponed outside
breeding season or involves the engagement of specialists for
relocation of fauna species; and
 Special Permit – Vegetation Contract Op Delivery Officer will negotiate
with Affected Persons where there is a requirement to proceed with
vegetation action to be undertaken in sensitive areas e.g. areas with
native grasslands.

Documentation  Technical Alternative Application Form
 Unsuitable Trees and Powerlines on Your Property Notice
 Planting Trees near Powerlines – A Guide for Home
Gardens and Rural Properties
175
Step 4 Exceptions to the MCS as per Clauses 4, 5 & 6 of the Code of Practice.
Instruction The CitiPower & Powercor process applies to:
i) Structural branches around insulated low voltage electric lines in LBRA & HBRA areas.
ii) Structural branches around uninsulated low voltage electric lines in LBRA areas.
iii) Small branches around insulated low voltage electric lines in LBRA areas.
CitiPower and Powercor intends to manage exceptions on certain trees in accordance with
the Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2015 Code of Practice schedule 1
Part 2 clauses 4, 5 & 6. The exceptions will be used in situations where existing tree
branches meeting the exception criteria are within the clearance space and it is not
reasonably practical to prune these branches. The branches in this situation pose an
acceptable level of risk, within set criteria.
It is CitiPower and Powercor’s intention that that where branches greater than 130mm exist
which can be pruned or removed without adversely affecting tree health , structure or
amenity value then the exception will not be applied.
This process to manage exceptions is based on the following criteria:
Structural branches around insulated low voltage electric lines.
Exemption can only be applied to:
 insulated low voltage electric lines
 a branch wider than 130mm at the point it enters the MCS
 a branch more than 300mm from the line
Requirements for branch to be retained:
 an annual Arborist (see Procedure Arborist definition) assessment of the branch
and tree
 the Arborist assessment confirming that the tree does not have any obvious
structural defect that could cause the branch to fail and make contact with the line
 details of the Arborist assessment recorded in VMS
 records will be maintained for a minimum of 5 years
The Arborist assessment is based on appraisal of the risks posed by the branch relating to
the tree species, size and location. The risk assessment for exceptions for structural
branches around insulated low voltage electric lines is based on:
 branches greater than 130mm typically have low or no movement and can be
intrinsic to the structural integrity of an established tree
 insulated lines have reduced risk associated with contact with vegetation.
Small branches around insulated low voltage electric lines.

Can only be applied to:
 insulated low voltage electric lines
 a branch less than 10mm at the point enters MCS
 growth is from branch that was removed within the last 12 months
Structural branches around uninsulated low voltage electric lines in LBRA.

Can only be applied to:
 uninsulated low voltage electric lines locted in LBRA
 a branch wider than 130mm at the point enters MCS
 a branch less than 500mm inside MCS
 spreaders are fitted to the span if a branch is within the middle two thirds of the
span. 1 spreader for a span of 45 metres and 2 spreaders for a span greater than
45metres.
Requirements for branch to be retained:
 an annual Arborist assessment of the branch and tree
176
 the Arborist assessment confirming that the tree does not have any obvious
structural defect that could cause the branch to fail and make contact with the line
 details of the Arborist assessment recorded in VMS, Records will be maintained for
a minimum of 5 years
The Arborist assessment is based on the appraisal of risks posed by the branch relating to
the tree species, size and location. When assessment considers the tree contains a defect
the defect should be removed or the tree is considered not suitable for application of the
exceptions process.
Alternative Compliance Mechanisms

 Alternative Compliance Mechanisms such as retrofitting insulation to bare
conductors, replacing bare conductors with insulated cable, offsetting
conductors to increase the regrowth space may be considered.
 Alternative Compliance Mechanism applications must be submitted to ESV by
the Vegetation Manager or their delegate with the details of the technical
standards and procedures to be adopted for commissioning, installing,
operating, maintaining and decommissioning.
 Application for approval of an Alternative Compliance Mechanism must be
accompanied by a documented risk assessment.
 Cost for Alternative Compliance Mechanism solution to be borne by either
Affected Person (customer) or Responsible Person (CP-PAL).
Technical Alternatives
 Where Alternative Compliance Mechanisms are not appropriate, Technical
Alternatives such as line retirement, line relocation, underground, may be
considered.
 Quality & Engagement Team Leader forwards the form to CP-PAL’s Customer
Connections team to:
o Develop a Technical Alternative; and
o Propose a budget quotation for the Technical Alternative.
 Quality & Engagement Team Leader provides the proposed Technical
Alternative solution and budget quotation to the Affected Person.
 Quality & Engagement Team Leader updates the Customer Connections team
on receipt agreement from the Affected Person in writing.
 Customer Connections plans for the Technical Alternative to be actioned.
 Quality & Engagement Team Leader updates the VMS on current status and the
agreed vegetation action.
For emergency clearing situations, the Responsible Person or landowner shall
be notified as soon as practicable after the event, in accordance with clause 18
(Notification and Record Keeping Requirements For Urgent Cutting Or Removal)
of the Code. Notification is provided via a physical drop-off, posting or SMS of
an urgent works notice.
 Technical Alternative s must be viable and an agreement on cost reached with
the Affected Person.
Cutting
 Where cutting action has been agreed, enter into the VMS.
177
Exemption
 Vegetation Manager, or their delegate, may apply to Energy Safe Victoria for
an Exemption to the Minimum Clearance Space.

178
Step 5 Consult ESV for direction

Instruction  The Vegetation Manager will submit Alternative Compliance Mechanism
Engineering Solution to ESV.
 The Vegetation Manager will submit a request for Exemption to ESV.
 As per CP-PAL’s Complaints and Dispute Resolution Procedure, every attempt
will be made to settle issues and avoid unnecessary escalation to an external
dispute resolution body. Disputes cost time and money and reflect poorly on
CP-PAL’s reputation.
 CP-PAL offers an internal escalation process to resolve issues, prior to referring
the matter to Energy Safe Victoria (ESV).
o In the first instance:
 The Quality & Engagement Team Leader is to explore all options
within their authority including discussion on the “Planting Trees
near Powerlines – A Guide for Home Gardens and Rural Properties”
brochure. The Quality & Engagement Team Leader may suggest a
Technical Alternative, or provide goodwill gestures to Affected
Persons, as follows;
 Provision of Tree Mulch;
 Tree or Nursery Vouchers – according to their Delegation of Authority. Typically,
vouchers to be in the amount of $20 per tree, up to a maximum of $100. Any
increase to this amount is at the discretion of the Vegetation Manager.
 Tree Removal:
 Where a resolution is reached, the following steps are to be taken:
 Record the agreed action into the VMS and provide a copy of
the agreed action to the Affected Person in writing;
 Seek confirmation of agreement from the Affected Person,
where practicable; and
 Update VMS on the agreement (to avoid any future dispute
where the agreed action is to take place over a period of time).
o Escalation, where resolution has not been achieved:
 The issue is escalated to the Vegetation Manager;
 The Vegetation Manager may request for:
 Further negotiations with Affected Persons (including a request
to the Customer Connections team to develop additional
Technical Alternatives);
 A review with an Arboreal Adviser; or
 Immediate escalation to ESV (ESV decisions are final and
binding on both CP-PAL and the Affected Persons) or the
Energy and Water Ombudsman (Victoria).

 Planting Trees near Powerlines – A Guide for Home
Gardens and Rural Properties
179
Chapter 6
Other Responsible Parties

(ORP) Notification &
Consultation
180
6 Manage ORP Notification of Non -C ompliance
Trigger Event
This process starts when the following events have occurred:
 A vegetation inspection has identified non-compliant ORP vegetation in a declared area; and
 Customer complaints and enquiries relating to ORP vegetation.
Outcomes
 Notification of ORP non-compliant vegetation to the relevant ORP;
 Reminder notices for un-actioned non-compliances are notified monthly to the ORP;
 ORP councils have confirmed compliance in HBRA Declared Areas by declaration of the fire danger
period;
 Where un-actioned non-compliances remain outstanding for a period exceeding 90 days of the ORP
notification, an escalation notice is issued to the ORP and direction sought on appropriate action
from Energy Safe Victoria (ESV).
Records of Outputs
The following records are possible outputs generated by this process and are to be retained as evidence:
 A SAP generated Business Intelligence (BI) ORP report detailing non-compliances by Council;
 A SAP generated BI spreadsheet detailing individual non-compliances to individual Councils and ESV;
 Response reports from Councils notifying actions undertaken in regard to the BI ORP notification;
 Monthly reminder notices of un-actioned non-compliances to ORPs (in email form);
 Escalation notices detailing non-compliances not actioned for more than 90 days to ESV;
 Formal direction from ESV in relation to response to escalation notice; and
 Technical Alternative Application Form from Councils for alternative compliance mechanisms.
181
Process Outline M anage ORP Non Complianc e
Manage ORP Notification of Code Non-Compliance
Managing Customer
Vegetation Manager
Conduct Vegetation Inspection

Procedure Complaints & Disputes
Conduct Customer Complaints & Consultation for Vegetation Action
Council Liaison Officer
ORP Non- No ORP Escalation Notice to

Reminder Notice
Compliance Notice Action ESV After 90 Days
No Go Zone
Non-Compliance
Council Actions Actioned
Non-Compliance ORP Response to
Notice
Council (ESV)
ESV Direct
182
Task Detail
Determine ORP Trees Requiring Action & Issue Notification

Step 1 Councils are responsible for vegetation growing within Declared Areas on road
Instruction: reserves or in a Council park.
To minimise risk to the safe operation of electric lines due to vegetation within the
Minimum Clearance Space , CP-PAL has developed 2 long-term communication
strategies:
1. ORP Non-Compliance Notification
CP-PAL communicates with Councils and ORPs on local or specific issues relating to
compliance.
Each month, the Council Liaison Officer will obtain, from the Vegetation
Management System, a report (via the BI ORP) on notifications received for
required vegetation works for ORPs and issue:
 Email to relevant Council to advise of their responsibility to maintain MCS
between council trees and powerlines, with a list detailing locations.
 An email including a Spreadsheet to ESV containing all notifications for required
works for ORPs.
2. Direct Assistance
CP-PAL can provide assistance to ORPs (in carrying out their duties) and the general
public (with any queries) about the management of vegetation that is in close
proximity to powerlines. Copies of Joint CP-PAL & Council Tree Management Plans
are located in the Vegetation Management drive > Program Management > ORP for
each council.
On request, CP-PAL can provide direct assistance to Responsible Persons to safely
prune or clear vegetation near powerlines by:
 Providing specialist advice on safe work practices;
 Advice on sag and sway calculations;
 De-energising lines at ORP cost;
 Live line clearing assistance at ORP request and cost;
 Suppressing the auto reclose feature on HV circuits;
 Providing a list of authorised local service providers; and
 Explaining methods to identify where cutting and tree removal is required.
183
ORP Initiated Technical Alternative Request

Step 2 Whilst the ORP must decide how to maintain the MCS, this does not preclude them
Instruction: from seeking alternative compliance mechanisms. Alternatives for maintaining
Minimum Clearance Space s include, but is not limited to a:
 Technical Alternative – Engineering activity to alter a powerline where
the costs are generally borne by the individual making the request
(Technical Alternative Application Form).
 Deferral – Council may negotiate with relevant parties where
vegetation action is to be postponed outside breeding season or
involves the engagement of specialists for relocation of fauna species.
 Special Permit – Council may consider a special permit where there is a
requirement to proceed with vegetation action in sensitive areas e.g.
areas with native grasslands.
Council to provide ESV approval to CP-PAL of alternatives.
Receive Vegetation Cut Date and Vegetation Code from ORP

Step 3 Councils will advise CP-PAL, via spreadsheet, when action has been undertaken and
Instruction: the new Vegetation Code relevant to the actioned vegetation.
Update VMS
Step 4 Information received from councils is updated into the Vegetation Management
Instructions: System (with the actual cut date and Vegetation Code) by CP-PAL Vegetation
Technical Officer.
Note: In addition to managing the non-compliance process, CP-PAL Council Liaison Officer runs a
program involving scheduled meetings with Councils for the purpose of clarifying what the imperatives
are for vegetation clearance, consequences of non-compliance (including STPIS claims), assistance that
can be provided by CP-PAL, and industry initiatives for vegetation management for collaboratively
improving compliance.
184
6.1 Conduct Consultation & Notification – ORP Work Instruction
Purpose
To provide information to Other Responsible Persons in relation to their requirement to ensure that the
vegetation MCS is maintained around CP-PAL assets to comply with the requirements of the Electricity
Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2015. This Work Instruction shall to ensure consistency in
the:
 Notification of Other Responsible Persons (ORP) where they are responsible for vegetation by
pruning, clearing or other Vegetation activities; and
 Management of any disputes to reach agreement on the next course of action.
Applies To
 All CP-PAL personnel who undertake Vegetation roles; and
 All CP-PAL contractors engaged to execute Vegetation activities.
Hazards
Instruction:
Records of Output
 Notifications to ORPs Responsibilities for Clearing Trees around Powerlines;
 Vegetation Management System;
 Joint CP-PAL & Council Tree Management Plan; and
 Technical Alternative Application Form.
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Process Outline Consultation & Notification -ORP

Conduct Consultation & Notification - ORP
#3
Conduct Further
Negotiation
No
#1
Council Liaison Officer
#2
Determine ORP
Vegetation
Trees requiring
Acton #7
Action & Issue
Agreed? Update VMS
Notification
Conduct Vegetation
Yes Yes
Inspection
#6
#4
Cutting
Receive #5
Occurred on
Vegetation Cut Update VDB
Scheduled
Date from ORP
Date?
No
186
6.2 ORP R E P O R T F O R V E G E T A T I O N W O R K S W I T H I N T H E N O G O
ZONE – WORK INSTRUCTION
Purpose
In an effort to minimise the risk to the safe operation of our network, CP-PAL work with Other
Responsible Persons to assist in the management of vegetation on road reserves or council parks that is
growing in close proximity to powerlines. Similar assistance may also be requested by private tree
owners seeking to do out of cycle works on private trees that extend into the No Go Zone.
For this instance CP-PAL may provide assistance as follows:
 Specialist advice on safe work practices;
 De-energising lines;
 Suppressing the auto reclose feature on HV circuits;
 Providing a list of authorised local service providers; and
 Explaining methods to identify where cutting and tree removal is required.
This Work Instruction shall be conducted to ensure that vegetation works that are required to be
undertaken by Other Responsible Persons (ORPs) within the No Go Zone is performed safely.
Applies To
 Job Role – Council Liaison Officer; and
 Procedure – Customer Complaints and Consultation for Vegetation Action.
Records of Output
 Council Requests recorded in the Customer Projects Management System;
 Councils invoiced for works undertaken by CP-PAL.
187
Process Outline Responding To ORP Request for Services

The following flowchart outlines the activities conducted by stakeholders to complete the process
Responding to ORP Requests for Vegetation Services
#3
Conduct site
No Go Zone Coord
#1 visit to address #4
Receive Request request, Receive Execute
from ORP via determine Agreement from Vegetation
Responding to ORP Requests for Vegetation Services
CP-PAL website required service ORP and Action

request system scope and arrange works
develop work
qualification
Technical Officer
#2
Create CR
Council
Task Detail
Receive Request from Council
Step 1 Council Liaison Officer receives requests from council, via the Customer Compliance
Instruction Group, for assistance in clearing vegetation that they cannot cut due to clearance
breaches, i.e. <700 mm or overhang. The Council Liaison Officer will determine
whether the works require a shutdown (to be managed by the Customer
Compliance Group, and referred back to them), Live Line works or works
undertaken by the Council Contractor under the control of CP-PAL (both managed
by the Vegetation Group).
Where Live Line or Council Contractor works are required, the Council Liaison
Officer will refer the notification to the Technical Officer to enter into SAP and
acknowledge receipt of the request to council.
Most requests are for cutting vegetation outside the No Go Zone (council or
private) or a plantation owner requesting ACR suppression.
Technical Officer will create Customer Request (CR) in the Customer Projects
Management System (CPM) and issue acknowledgement notification to Council.
188
Create CR
Step 2 Technical Officer will create Customer Request (CR) in the Customer Projects
Instruction Management (CPM) System and issue acknowledgement notification to council. The
Technical Officer will update the Status to Acknowledged, then to Approval Request.
This will send a Workflow to the Council Liaison Officer, as the CPM Responsible
Person.
Determine works and issue Quote

Step 3 On receipt of the Workflow, the Council Liaison Officer will scope the required work
Instruction and obtain all costs for the required works by negotiating costs with contractors for
field works and by using the ACS Costing Sheet in CPM (Creating/Attaching
Documents). The Council Liaison Officer will update the costs in CPM, approve
these costs and issue a Quote and Agreement to the requesting Council or private
tree owner.
Receive Agreement from Council or Private Tree Owner and Arrange Works
Step 4 Upon receipt of Agreement from requesting customer, the Council Liaison Officer
Instruction will update SAP to update the Status, via the Vegetation CPM Workbench, to
Customer Accepted. The Council Liaison Officer will then arrange the works.
189
Receive Confirmation of Completion of Works and refer for invoicing

Step 5 The Council Liaison Officer will advise the Technical Officer by email that the job is
Instruction completed and that invoicing is required.
Issue Invoice to Council

Step 6 The Technical Officer will pick up the CR from the To Invoice Tab in the Vegetation
Instruction CPM Workbench and issue the invoice to the requesting customer, utilising Order
Numbers 407461 for Powercor and 407462 for CitiPower.
190
Chapter 7
Vegetation Reporting
191
7 CONDUCT VEGETATION REPORTING
Trigger Event
This process starts when the need arises given the occurrence of one or more factors:
 Regulatory requirement;
 Business requirement; and
 Weather.
Outcomes
 Updates on the Vegetation Program provided to Energy Safe Victoria (ESV);
 Updates on the Vegetation Program provided to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER); and
 Updates on the Vegetation Program provided to CP-PAL Management.
Records of Outputs
 Reporting of non-compliances for vegetation in HBRA:
o BFM Flat File – Weekly during Bushfire Season; and
o BFM Reporting Table – Weekly during Bushfire season.
 Reporting of Major Electric Company (MEC) Other Responsible Person (ORP) Compliance.
 MEC Compliance Reporting.
 CP-PAL Weekly Report.
 TFB Day Requirements.
192
TABLE 1: LIST OF VEGETATION MANAGEMENT REPORTS5

# Re p ort N a m e Re p ort Ty p e In t ern a l / Fr eq u en cy Pu rp o s e Recipients
(C o mp l ian ce, E xt ern a l
Pro gra m or Sta tu s)
1 E SV W e ekly Co mp lian c e In t ern a l, We ek ly Id en ti fy an d r ep o rt t h e n u mb er o f Cod e VP sp a n s wi th in  ESV
Su m me r fi re E xt ern a l HB RA id en ti fy in g th o s e th at a re ou t s id e th e CP - PAL  BFM Manager
rep ort in g C P - Ve g eta tion Ma n ag e m en t Pol icy
 Head of Network
PAL - T OA - TO A 2
Compliance
 Vegetation
Manager
2 Bu sh fir e Co mp lian c e In t ern a l, We ek ly Id en ti fy an d r ep o rt t h e n u mb er o f V P sp an s w it h in H BR A  BFM Manager
Mit ig ati on E xt ern a l id e n ti fyi n g th o s e th at a re ou t si d e th e CP -P AL V eg et ati on  Head of Network
(B FM ) Fl at Fi le Man a g em en t P oli cy
Compliance
 Vegetation
Manager
3 Majo r E l e ctr ic Co mp lian c e E xt ern a l Mon th ly Mon i tor co mp li an c e of v eg et ati on th at i s th e  ESV
Co mp an y ( ME C) re sp on sib il ity o f OR P in clu d in g th e p er fo r man c e an d  Network Safety
Oth er ou tc om e s of th e Con su lt ation p ro c e s s
Manager
Re sp on sib l e
 Head of Network
Pe r son (O RP )
Co mp lian c e Compliance
Re p ort  Vegetation
Manager
4 ME C Tran s iti on Co mp lian c e In t ern a l Mon th ly Mon th ly –R ep ort th e p r ogr e s s o f HB RA an d LB R A  ESV
& E x e mp ti on Qu art e rly tran si tio n p ro gr a m to a p p ro v ed ex e mp t ion s ; Qu art er ly -  Head of Network
Co mp lian c e E xe mp tion p r o gr am p ro gr e s s, Ve g etat ion O v erh an g in
Compliance
Re p ort HB RA ; M ajo r fau l t s ( d e f i n e r e sp on sib il ity fo r ve g eta tion
 Network Safety
cl ear in g) an d ma jor s af e ty i s su e s in cl u d in g l in e con ta ct s
Manager
 Vegetation
Manager
5 We ek ly Rep ort Statu s In t er n a l We ek ly Re p ort Pr og ra m Statu s f or K ey ar ea s :  GM Electricity
5
All reports are VMS generated and/or compiled by Technical Officers.
193

Su m mary Da sh b oar d - tr af fi c l ig h t r atin g k ey ar e as an d Networks
re su lt s for S af ety , F in an ce , C o mp l ian ce , Cu tt in g an d  Head of Network
In s p e ct ion
Compliance
Key R e su lt Rat in g l eg en d
 Vegetation
Gr e en - M ee tin g o r ex ce ed i n g ex p e ct ed p e rf or m an c e
le v el ta rg et s or m e etin g th e e xp ect ati on s o f H e ad o f Manager
Net wo rk Co mp lia n c e
Am b e r - Req u ir ed p er fo rm an c e le v e l s ar e n ot b ein g m et
b y a max i mu m o f 10 % of tar ge t o r ar ea o f foc u s
Re d - F ai lin g to ach i e v e exp e ct ed p er fo r man ce l e v el s b y

mo re th an 1 0 % o f ta rg et or n o t m ee tin g th e
exp e ctat ion s of H ead of Net w ork Co mp li an c e
Sa fe ty - Tab l e -Sa f ety C omp lia n c e
Th e n u mb er o f h a zard s an d in cid en t s id en t i fi ed b y
As p lu n d h b y w e ek an d Y T D
De tai l s for L TI Si gn if ic an t In c id en t, M in or In cid e n t an d

Hazar d s r ep o rt ed i n A sp lu n d h - P o we rc or N ea r M is s
Ma st er R eg i st er an d As p lu n d h w e ekly r ep o rt
Co m m en t s
Fin a n c ial E xp en d itu r e

Graph -Vegetation Monthly Expenditure yyyy :- Defines actual
cumulative expenditure by month v budget target
Vertical axis – Budget expenditure $
Hori zon t al a xi s – m on th ; c o mm en t s;
Re su lt T ab l e Mon th an d Y TD - ra te d p er K ey R e s u lt
Rat in g l eg en d
Cutting Progress
Graph – Spans Actioned per week: Defines spans cut, targeting rate,
stretch target and base original target
194

Vertical axis – Number of spans Cut/week
Horizontal axis – week
Graph – Cumulative Total Cut Spans v Target
Defines spans cut count by week and cumulative value cut YTD and
target rate
Vertical axis – Count spans Cut – cumulative, Horizontal axis - week
Comments
Tab l e - R e su lt Mon th an d Y T D - r at ed p er K ey R e su lt
Rat in g l eg en d
Con t ra cto r cu tti n g re s o u rc e vo lu m e r ep o rt
Qu al ity o f S er v ic e /d ata
Cu tt in g Qu a li ty
Summary table –PAL/CP Quality Audit tracking; Contractor name,
result by months YTD and most recent week % audit pass/fail month
and week
Comments
Compliance
Codes and Policy – comment
Table - Count of VP spans
Count week start, count found, count actioned, count end of week:
VP1, VP2 and VP3 HBRA
VP CodesLBRA Total
Comment – program status
Graph – HBRA VP Codes spans: existing & new YTD
In s p e ct ion Pro gr e s s
Graph – Cumulative Inspection- spans inspected Volume v Target
Count spans inspected v target
Vertical axis – Number of spans inspected/week
Horizontal axis – week
Tab l e - R e su lt Mon th an d Y T D - r at ed p er K ey R e su lt
Rat in g l eg en d
Co m m en t – st atu s v tar g et v p r o gr e s s; r ea son f o r tab le
195

ratin g, in sp ec tion q u a lit y, sy s te m p e rf or man c e,
wo rkl oad
7 Con t ra cto r in sp e cti on r e sou rc e vo lu m e r ep o rt
8 Lid a r – P rog r e ss R ep o rt ( wh e n in p ro gr e s s) – d at a
cap tu r e, d at a r e ce ip t an d fo r matt in g/ load in g p r ogr e s s
9
10 Ri sk s an d I s su e s
11 As s e s s e d in c on ju n ct ion w ith V eg eta tion r is k r e gi st er
an d r ep o rt ed wh en ap p r op ri at e
12
13 Oth er Ac ti v iti e s/ ar ea s – OR P, sy st e m, e v en t s, fo ru m s,
re gu l ati on , p roc e s s, e xa mp l e s of p r e an d p o st c u ttin g
14
15 Goo d N e w s sto ry o f th e w e ek o r exa mp l e o f p r e an d
p os t cu tti n g
 Head of Network
6 T FB Day Statu s In t ern a l As Pro gra m Sta tu s VP cod e s b y R eg ion ou t si d e Po li cy – Compliance
Re q u ir ed Ob se r v er L i st  Network Safety
Manager
 Bushfire Mitigation
Manager
 Veg Manager
196
7.1 Compile Vegetation Reports – Work Instruction
Purpose
To provide accurate information on the Vegetation Management Program to the business, Energy Safe
Victoria (ESV) and the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) within required timeframes.
Applies To
 Job Role – Technical Officer, Vegetation Management; and
 Procedure – Conduct Vegetation Reporting Procedure.
Records of Output
 Reporting of non-compliances for vegetation in HBRA:
 BFM Flat File – Weekly during Bushfire Season; and
 BFM Reporting Table – Weekly during Bushfire season.
 Reporting of Major Electric Company (MEC) Other Responsible Person (ORP) Compliance.
 Weekly Report (Dashboard of stats).
 Monthly Report
Reporting to be maintained in the Vegetation Management Drive > Reporting > under the Current Year.
197
Topic Information
BFM Reporting The BFM Flatfile lists the number spans with VP Codes in High Bushfire Risk Areas
that do not comply with the CP-PAL Vegetation Management Policy, per
Maintenance Planning Group. Any span outside Policy is managed by issuing
Cutting Notifications to inspectors to undertake a Risk Assessment on required
cycles. A report is generated from the Workbench to ensure compliance with
Policywith Policy.
 Refer to Obtaining a List of VP codes spans from VMS.
 This list can then be filtered to determine the Priority, per column Notification
User Status. All VP spans are Risk Assessed to determine the priority. The Risk
Assessment date is recorded as the Required Start date and the required
timeframe for Action Require (as per Policy) is managed by the Required End
date field.
Results are recorded in the ESV Weekly Summer fire reporting for CP-PAL-TOA-
TOA2
MEC ORP The MEC ORP Compliance Report will be run via BI Reporting monthly. The interim
Compliance process for this report is as follows:
Reporting
Total Spans with Vegetation in MCS at End of Previous Month
Previous MEC ORP Compliance Report located in the Vegetation Management drive
> Reports > EN Vegetation > MEC > MEC ORP Compliance Report
Total Spans with Vegetation in MCS Identified During the Month
All Spans identified during inspection will automatically generate a VX Notification.
Generate a list of all VX Notifications for ORP in IW29, with the following
requirements:
Notification Type = VX
Notification Date = Remove From Date
Created On = Period required, eg 1/1/2016 to 31/1/2016
Coding = ORP
as follows:
198
Total Spans with Vegetation in MCSat End of Month

Generate Report in CL30N
Execute
Weekly Report Safety Hazards
Number of Contractor Safety Hazards Reported per month for Vegetation Management.
This information is provided by Asplundh to the VegTech inbox and recorded in the Weekly
Report. Request for this information can be made to:
Michael Hegeman, Operations Manager

Asplundh Tree Experts Australia
ph: +61 2 4353 5657| m: +61 409 739 663
199
mhegemann@asplundh.com.au | www.asplundh.com.au
Financials
Vegetation Monthly Expenditure to be obtained from Finance by Vegetation Manager.
HBRA VP Codes
Records the number of VP Codes in HBRA each Monday. Refer to Obtaining a List of VP
spans from VMS
The total VP spans in HBRA is recorded in the Weekly Report.
HBRA Compliance VP Codes
Refer to Obtaining a List of VP spans from VMS (refer below) and the BFM Reporting Table
Inspection VMS
Inspection Figures are obtained from Operational Report in the Workbench as follows.
Click Std. SAP Report and select the Vegetation Operation Report.
To obtain a list of all Inspections completed within a date range, select:
 Completion by date = Select the date range required (i.e., month of January)
 Notification Type VI
 Execute
A total list of Inspections completed will be generated.
200
Cutting
Cutting Figures are obtained from Operational Report in the Workbench.
Click Std. SAP Report and select the Vegetation Operation Report.
To obtain a list of all Cutting completed within a date range, select:
 Completion by date = Select the date range required (i.e., month of January)
 Coding = CUT
 Execute
Obtaining a List of VP spans from VMS
Obtain list of all Code VP spans via Annual Planning in the VMS
201
 Exclude Deletion Flag
 Remove Inspection From date
 Click on Valuation
 Select VP Codes, include M for managed spans.
202
Chapter 8
Reference Material &

Templates
203
8. Reference Material & Templates
 
 
 
204
8.1 Management of Outstanding Spans During the Fire Season

Guideline
Topic Information
Definition of an Any span Vegetation Coded a VP within the HBRA (Hazardous Bushfire Risk Area) during the
Outstanding Span fire season is considered an Outstanding Span.
Managing  All VP spans must be managed in according with the Vegetation Management Policy;
Outstanding o Risk Assessed
Spans
o Cleared
o Observers posted as required
 Outstanding Spans will be cleared in order of priority in line with the Vegetation
Management Policy
Process to manage Outstanding Spans

When a span is unable to be cleared or re-coded, the span will be assessed and managed as
per the Vegetation Management Policy.
Note; Refer to current approved policy on CP PAL “Source” data management system,
printed documents/or uncontrolled electronic versions may not reflect current policy.
1. Record and Assess
o Outstanding Spans will be assessed for fire risk and results recorded
o This process will require Inspectors (contractors) to assess the fire threat of the
span and consider:
- The voltage of the affected conductor, i.e. HV or LV
- The ability of the tree to contact the line
 Species of tree – can it move in the wind?
 Size of tree – can it contact the line allowing for maximum sag and
sway?
 State of tree – is it hazardous and likely to fail and contact
conductors?
- Actual vegetation clearance verses required vegetation clearance
- Level of risk of fire ignition caused by infringing vegetation and
- If LV, assess likelihood of the tree causing a conductor clash
o Span details collated for each span includes:
- Vegetation Code and Priority
- Date of last inspection
- For internal use, additional requirements may be collected for clearing
such as climber required or walk in cut and stack etc.
o Span details are to be recorded in the Mobility Devices which will directly load into
the Vegetation Management System (VMS)
o Once a declaration date has been reached, CP/PAL will extract a list of outstanding
spans with VP codes in HBRA. This Outstanding Span List will be managed as per the
205
Vegetation Management Policy.
Priority Definitions – Vegetation Code definitions can be found documented in

the Vegetation Management Policy
TFB Day Recommendation

 As part of the risk assessment process, the CP/PAL Vegetation Manager will provide a
recommendation for action should the span remain outstanding on a TFB Day
 TFB Day Recommendation
o Recommendation to be made applying one of the following controls, based on
the site conditions and Priority Rating. Recommendations as follows:
- Cut Tree (make compliant if practical)
- Cut Tree (make fire safe/ reduce risk)
- Shut Down (i.e. overhang requires shut down to cut)
- Post Observer
- Live Line
- Disconnection of line (leave off supply on TFB Day)
- Reassess on day via patrolling
- Do Nothing (Little to no risk of starting a fire)
o Should a span possess an unacceptable safety risk to an Observer due to limited
vehicle access, no vehicle access etc. on a “Code Red” or “Extreme” fire danger
day, Observers will not be posted due to heightened risk to Observer safety.
CP/PAL will where possible, will conduct an assessment and nominate a TFB
Day Recommendation for outworking prior to 10am on the TFB Day
Managing Outstanding Spans on a TFB Day DURING the Declared Fire Season
Upon the declaration of a TFB Day by the Country Fire Authority (CFA) the following process
will take place:
 CP/PAL’s Vegetation Manager, or delegate, to advise all Contractors of TFB via SMS or
other appropriate method. Contractors may also be notified via other means including
the CFA or media
 CP/PAL’s Vegetation Manager, or delegate, request the Technical Officers generate a list
of spans with VP Codes in HBRA that will include Feeders within the CP/PAL network or
as required.
 Upon approval from CP/PAL’s Vegetation Manager, all Inspectors/Cutting resource may
arrange to continue inspection/clearing outstanding trees in the affected area with an
appropriately considered risk assessment.
 CP/PAL’s Vegetation Manager will develop an “Observer List” for the purpose of
scheduling observation or patrol during the TFB Day. The Vegetation Contract Op
Delivery Officer sends to the TFB Day Coordinator.
o Note: On Code Red days, Observers will complete the Risk assessment using
Job Safety and Environmental Assessment (JSEA) before entry into an area
206
considered high risk

o If the Job Safety and Environmental Assessment (JSEA) indicates there is an
unacceptable safety risk to the Observer, then entry is to be delayed until the
risk subsides to an acceptable level
o Where Observer cannot be deployed due to an unacceptable risk level, the
Inspector will advise PAL to enable them to consider an alternative mitigation
action
 CP/PAL’s Vegetation Manager will utilize the VMS to establish what outstanding spans
are, outlining spans to be inspected, locations of Observers etc.
 CP/PAL’s Vegetation Manager will direct and advise all Inspectors (Contractors)
regarding the approval of the plan as soon as possible
 Observers are to report any trees that may contact conductors to CP/PAL’s Network
System Controller as identified
 If Observers are required, Observers are to report their location and findings every hour
where mobile coverage is available. Where mobile coverage is unavailable, Observers
are to re-locate to an area where coverage can be secured for the purpose of reporting
in to CP/PAL’s Vegetation Manager. Alternatively VMS maybe utilized to monitor
locations.
 All Inspectors (Contractors) are to record a log of events and make available to CP/PAL’s
Vegetation Manager
Use of Observers
 The role of the ‘Observer’ is to be stationed at a position or to undertake regular patrols
of a section of line to observe a particular potential hazard involving a CP/PAL line. If a
risk assessment identifies an unacceptable level of risk for entry into an area, the spans
will be nominated and reported to CP/PAL’s Vegetation Manager for CP/PAL to consider
an alternative mitigation action
o Risk assessment is to be assessed and documented using Job Safety and
Environmental Assessment (JSEA)
 CP/PAL’s Vegetation Manager (delegate) is responsible for:
o Recruitment of Observers
o Coordinating of risk assessments for Code Red days
o Monitoring of Observer welfare
o Continuity of Observers
o Stand-down of Observers after notification from TFB Day Coordinator
 Prior to commencing work as an Observer, Inspectors must be aware of the following
guidelines and requirements -
o Health & Safety of the Observer must be of the highest priority and will not be
compromised. Observers are to adhere to Section 7.15, Health & Safety Manual
– Employees Working Alone Policy
o Observer must have regular contact with the CP/PAL Vegetation Manager via
Mobile Phone or other communication means and must report to the CP/PAL
hourly
o On Code Red days, Observers to complete the Working Alone Hazard
Identification & Risk Assessment Worksheet before entry into an area
considered high risk. If the Working Alone Hazard Identification & Risk
Assessment Worksheet indicates there is an unacceptable safety risk to the
Observer, then entry is to be delayed until the risk subsides to an acceptable
level. Where an observer cannot be deployed due to an unacceptable risk level
, CP/PAL’s Vegetation Manager is to consider an alternative mitigation action
o On Code Red days where the risk is assessed at an acceptable level, or on days
other than a Code Red day, so long as the Observers safety can be ensured,
207
Observers are to patrol high priority spans or be stationed on site on the TFB
day and conclude following advice from the relevant Coordinator
o Observers to commence patrols by 10:00am
o CP/PAL reserve the right to cease patrols where it has been assessed that there
is an unacceptable risk to the Observer
o If the role of Observer is to be undertaken by a single person work party, then
adherence to CP/PAL’s Working Alone policy is mandatory
o Observers are to ensure they have the following items with them:
- Mobile Phone or other adequate communication device (ensure
phones are charged)
- Suitable fire suppression equipment i.e. Knapsack or stored pressure
fire extinguisher of at least 9 liters capacity
- Adequate food and water
- Adequate amount of fuel
- VMS mobility device
o Consideration is given to the personal safety and effect of temperature and
humidity on Observers. Inspectors (contractors) will consult CP/PAL’s
Vegetation Manager in instances where such issues impact or will likely impact
the ability of Observers to safely perform their function
o In the event that an Observer reports the likelihood of contact between
vegetation and CP/PAL power lines or potential failure of maintenance items,
Inspectors are to immediately report this issue to CP/PAL’s Vegetation Manager
(Delegate)
o CP/PAL’s Network System Controller will determine a course of action to
minimise the risk of causing a fire. Such action should include consideration to
isolating sections of the CP/PAL power line
o Locations must be assessed with regard to the safe evacuation of the Observer
Actions for Inspectors (contractors) under Emergency Conditions

Any employee caught in an emergency situation should follow procedures as per the training
carried out for Maintain Safety at an Incident Scene.
 Inspection of Area Affected by Fire
o Where a fire has occurred in the vicinity of CP/PAL assets, vegetation may be
damaged and require action after the fire is extinguished to avoid contact
between vegetation and powerlines
o Prior to entering the fire area to assess the status of trees, the following steps
must be undertaken:
- CP/PAL’s Vegetation Manager to receive formal acknowledgment that
fire has been extinguished and area is safe to enter. This information is
to be obtained from the appropriate emergency service (e.g. CFA, DEPI
(formally DSE), SES) in control of activities in the fire area. In the event
of a staging area being set up by any emergency service, all entry into
the fire area must be coordinated through the staging area
- Contractors to inspect trees near CP/PAL assets in the affected area,
assessing MCS and Hazard Space
- Inspectors to report to CP/PAL’s Vegetation Manager of status and
arrange action on trees as appropriate
o All works must be in accordance with CP/PAL’s Total Fire Ban Day Action Plan
o CP/PAL acknowledges that Inspectors (contractors) reserve the right to cease
patrols where they have assessed that there is an unacceptable risk to the
Observer
208
209
Appendix 1: Country Fire Authority (CFA) Districts and Municipalities

 Total Fire Bans are declared by district
 There are now 9 Total Fire Ban districts across the whole State Victoria as per below. A TFB can also be declared for the whole state of Victoria.
210
16 Appendix 2: Fire Danger Rating

What does it mean?
These are the worse conditions for a bush or grass
fire. Homes are not designed or constructed to
withstand fires in these conditions The safest place to
be is away from high risk bushfire areas
Expect extremely hot, dry and windy conditions.
If a fire starts and takes hold, it will be uncontrollable,
unpredictable and fast moving. Spot fires will start,
move quickly and come from many directions.
Homes that are situated and constructed or modified Example - Map with a Total Fire Ban
to withstand a bushfire, that are well prepared and
actively defended, may provide safety.
You must be physically and mentally prepared to
defend in these conditions
Expect hot, dry and possibly windy conditions.

If a fire starts and takes hold, it may be uncontrollable.
Well prepared homes that are actively defended can
provide safety.
You must be physically and mentally prepared to
defend in these conditions.
If a fire starts, it can most likely be controlled in these

conditions and homes can provide safety.
Be aware of how fires can start and minimise the risk.
Controlled burning off may occur in these conditions if
it is safe - check to see if permits apply.
211
Appendix 3: Key External Contact Details (CFA)
No. Contact Contact Details
CFA 24-hour
1. (03) 92628415
Headquarters Duty Officer
CFA Headquarters
2.
8 Lakeside Drive (03) 9262 8444
Burwood East Victoria 3151
Information on Total Fire Ban Days and Fire Restrictions
3. 1800 240 667
Victorian Bushfire Information Line
4. For emergency police, fire or ambulance attendance Triple Zero (000)
212
Appendix 4: CFA State Wide Area Locations and

Contact Details
Barwon South West Region

Location: District 4 District 5 District 6 District 7
Headquarters Headquarters Headquarters Headquarters and
Barwon South West
Region Headquarters
Cnr Coleraine
115B
38 Henty Street Road & Mt 61 Separation Street
Bromfield
Address: Casterton, Victoria Bainbridge Road North Geelong,
Street Colac,
3311 Hamilton, Victoria 3215
Victoria 3250
Victoria 3300
PO Box 207 PO Box 389 PO Box 298 PO Box 586 North
Postal Address: Casterton, Victoria Hamilton, Colac, Victoria Geelong, Victoria
3311 Victoria 3300 3250 3215
(03) 5232
Phone: (03) 5581 1114 (03) 5551 1500 (03) 5240 2700
1923
(03) 5231
Fax: (03) 5581 2277 (03) 5551 1582 (03) 5277 1515
1370
Hume Region
Location: District 12 District 22 District 23 District 24
Headquarters Headquarters and Headquarters Headquarters
Hume Region
Headquarters
1 Smythe
195-205 Numurkah 1 Ely Street
54 Tallarook Street Street
Address: Road Shepparton, Wangaratta,
Seymour, Victoria 3660 Wodonga,
Victoria 3630 Victoria 3677
Victoria 3690
PO Box 932 PO Box 565
PO Box 369 Seymour, Same as above
Postal Address: Shepparton, Wangaratta,
Victoria 3661 address
Phone: (03) 5799 1517 (03) 5833 2400 (03) 5721 4122 (02) 6056 3022
Fax: (03) 5792 3266 (03) 5833 2482 (03) 5721 3497 (02) 6024 7821
Gippsland Region
Location: District 9 Headquarters District 10 Headquarters and District 11
Gippsland Region Headquarters
Headquarters
Level 3, Port of Sale Business 130 Macleod Street
24 Normanby Street
Address: Centre Foster Street Sale, Bairnsdale, Victoria
Warragul, Victoria 3820
Victoria 3850 3875
PO Box 419 Warragul, PO Box 1212 Sale, Victoria Same as above
Postal Address:
Victoria 3820 3850 address
Phone: (03) 5623 1180 (03) 5149 1000 (03) 5152 3048
Fax: (03) 5623 6061 (03) 5149 1082 (03) 5152 5007
Appendix 4: CFA State Wide Area Locations and Contact Details (cont’d)
213
Loddon Mallee Region

Location: District 2 Headquarters District 18 Headquarters and District 20
Loddon Mallee Region Headquarters
Headquarters
56 Fitzroy Street
45 Chapel Street Bendigo, 120 Curlewis Street Swan Hill,
Address: Kerang, Victoria
3579
PO Box 3 Bendigo Central, PO Box 558 Swan Hill, Victoria PO Box 152 Kerang,
Postal Address:
Victoria 3552 3585 Victoria 3579
Phone: (03) 5430 2200 (03) 5036 2800 (03) 5450 3406
Grampians Region
Location: District 15 Headquarters District 16 Headquarters District 17
and Grampians Region Headquarters
Headquarters
19 McLachlan Street
19 Learmonth Road 390 Barkly Street Ararat,
Address: Horsham, Victoria
Wendouree, Victoria 3355 Victoria 3377
3400
PO Box 419
PO Box 222W Ballarat PO Box 16 Ararat, Victoria
Postal Address: Horsham, Victoria
West, Victoria 3353 3377
3402
Phone: (03) 5329 5500 (03) 5352 5516 (03) 5382 6672
Fax: (03) 5329 5582 (03) 5352 5517 (03) 5382 2774
Fax: (03) 5442 2246 (03) 5036 2882 (03) 5452 2531
Southern Metropolitan Region

Location: District 8 Headquarters and Southern Metropolitan Region Headquarters
Address: 120-122 Princes Highway Dandenong, Victoria 3175
Postal Address: Same as above address
Phone: (03) 9767 1800
Fax: (03) 9767 1880
Northern and Western Metropolitan Region

District 14 Headquarters and Northern and Western Metropolitan Region
Location:
Headquarters
Address: 251 High Street Melton, Victoria 3337
Postal Address: PO Box 50 Melton, Victoria 3337
Phone: (03) 8746 1400
Fax: (03) 8746 1480
Appendix 4: CFA State Wide Area Locations and Contact Details (cont’d)
Eastern Metropolitan Region

Location: District 13 Headquarters and Eastern Metropolitan Region Headquarters
214
Address: 18-22 Lakeview Drive Lilydale, Victoria 3140

Postal Address: Same as above address
Phone: (03) 8739 1300
Fax: (03) 8739 1382
215
8.2 Quality Review Schedule
Topic Information
 Quality Reviews are structured along the lines of quality, OHS and
Quality Environmental systems:
Review o Reviews will be conducted by personnel with suitable training and
Scope and background. Where appropriate, additional EN management may
Description
also be involved in the Review;
o All reports to be formally documented and retained by EN; and
o Action items arising will be controlled through to rectification,
implementation and closeout, via the program Issues Register.
 Additional Quality Reviews may be included into the Vegetation Quality Reviews
Schedule, where required.
 Determination of the Quality Review Scope:

Quality Review o Quality Review Scope will be approved by the Vegetation Manager;
Stakeholder and
Reporting
Structure o Quality Review Scope will incorporate an office (reference material)
and a field component. Field components should include at least 2
different locations and be spread across a rural (HBRA) and urban
(LBRA) location, where applicable. Urban locations could also be
separated across CP-PAL.
 Coordination of Quality Officers:
o The Engagement & Quality Team Leader will coordinate the
completion of the Quality Review Schedule using suitably qualified
Engagement & Quality Officers (Quality Officers); and
o The Engagement & Quality Team Leader and Quality Officers
(internal or contracted) are responsible for the conduct of the
Vegetation Quality Reviews.
 Performance of Vegetation Quality Review:
o All Vegetation Quality Reviews to be undertaken, whether Safety
Observations or Quality Reviews are managed and reported as follows:
 Issues Register – Safety, Employee Accreditations, Data
Management.
 Vegetation Management System – Quality related review, i.e.
quality of inspection, cutting reporting works.
 Recommendation of Vegetation Action:
o The Vegetation Contract Ops Delivery Officer will review the
information collected by the Quality Officers and in consultation
with the Quality Officers, recommend appropriate Vegetation
Actions to the Vegetation Manager; and
o All Vegetation Actions will be translated into the weekly Operations
Meeting agendas.
Completion of these Vegetation Actions will be tracked and monitored through
weekly Operations Meetings and completion documented in the Issues Register.
216
 The Quality Review scope will be provided to all completing reviews by the
Quality Review Engagement & Quality Team Leader.
Inspector  The process to inspect spans will be identified by the Contract. The system, will
Requirements
determine where a Quality Review will be undertaken i.e. region, feeder and
and Process to
individual spans:
Undertake
Tasks o Ad hoc inspections will occur as per the Vegetation Manager’s or
their delegate’s determination.
 Quality Reviews are a visual check for compliance as per the Code of Practice
contained in the Schedule of the Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance)
Regulations and works undertaken by the works crew.
 The Engagement and Quality Officer is to undertake the following as part of a
Quality Review:
o The Engagement and Quality (E&Q) Officer is to have a Mobility
Device to enable an inspection as per the direction of the
Vegetation Manager or their delegate.
o Vegetation Manager or their delegate will provide the location of
where the inspection is to be undertaken.
o Compiling of the data is the responsibility of the E&Q Officer.
o Complete a Job Safety Environmental Assessment (JSEA) form. The
JSEA is to allow the inspector to identify any hazards that may be
present while carrying out their work.
- Completion of the Job Safety Environmental Assessment (JSEA)
form should be undertaken at the beginning of the shift before
they start driving and is to be updated as required at each site
visited.
o The E&Q Officer will review the span that has been identified as per
the Mobility Device and will stop the vehicle in a safe place (refer
Appendix 3: General Traffic Management Plan).
- The Officer will exit the vehicle with appropriate Mobility Device to
undertake a visual assessment of the span.
- Once the Quality Review is completed and information is gathered
the E&Q Officer is to enter the vehicle to move on to the next span.
o If a span is identified whilst the inspector is driving to their intended
destination the inspector is to stop and park the vehicle in a safe
position and undertake an inspection as per the above dot point:
- Driving and assessing is not a safe work practice and should not be
undertaken; and
- There is no need to lean forward in the car, look up and rotate,
especially while driving.
 Non-conformances shall be determined in strict accordance with the Contract

scope of works. Any significant issues identified, which fall outside of the Quality
Quality Review
217
Results (Non- Review scope, may be recorded as Observations..

conformances, o A non-conformance is defined as failure to comply or achieve the base
Observations
expressed requirements of any:
and
Improvement - Regulation;
Opportunities) - Contract clause;
- Policy;
- Work Instruction;
- Procedure;
- Contract OH&S plan; and
- Control Measure.
 An Improvement Opportunity is defined as a recommendation which in the
Quality Officer’s opinion, will promote further investigation and development to
either reduce the risk profile, produce higher levels of compliance or continuous
process improvement.
 The outworking of the Vegetation Quality Review Schedule may identify
recommendations and improvement opportunities for the next review of the
Vegetation Quality Review Schedule.
 Improvements could be the result of business developments or regulatory
change.
 Provides for a comprehensive list of Quality Review findings and

Issues Register recommendations for all Vegetation Quality Review covered within this
and Vegetation Vegetation Quality Review Schedule.
Management
System
 All Quality Reviews completed in this Vegetation Quality Review Schedule must
Approval of be approved by the Vegetation Manager, or delegate, prior to the issuing of any
Vegetation action items and at the close out of the Quality Review.
Quality Review
 All supporting documentation, including that for action item closeouts prior to
the final closeout of any Quality Review will be maintained in the Vegetation
Management System or Issues Register.
218
VEGETATION QUALITY REVIEW SCHEDULE
YEAR: 20xx/20xx
(E.g. Quality Review for the years 2012-2015 is to be defined annually as EN2015 – x, EN2015 – x, EN2016 – Quality Review number obtained from the Quality Review summary
log)
RISK AREAS JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Safe Work Methods
 Manual Handling
 Working at Heights
 Working Alone
 Training and Authorisations
(ID Cards)
 PPE
 Work site controls –
Supervision, HAC sheets
 Safety Observers
 Working near powerlines –
auto reclose, shutdowns,
electrocution
 Traffic Management
 Environmental 1x 1x 1x 1x 1x 1x 1x 1x 1x 1x 1x 1x
o Weed Management Northern Northern Northern Northern Northern Northern Northern Northern Northern Northern Northern Northern
o Herbicide/Chemicals
o Noise
1x 1x 1x 1x 1x 1x 1x 1x 1x 1x 1x 1x
Southern Southern Southern Southern Southern Southern Southern Southern Southern Southern Southern Southern
Safe Vegetation Clearing Work
Methods
 Climbing (work in trees)
 Ground-based work
 Live Line clearing
Equipment Vehicles and Plant

 Plant and Equipment –
appropriate for task, working
condition
 EWP’s
 Chipper/Hogger and stump
grinding
 Chainsaws
219
 Extension & other cutting
tools
Unique machinery – slashing,
hedging
Technical Technical
Inductions/Exit Procedures
Officer Officer
Vegetation Quality Audit

 Transition
3x
 Summer Compliance 3x 3x 3x 3x 3x 3x 3x 3x 3x 3x
 Compliance Weekly 3x
Weekly Weekly Weekly Weekly Weekly Weekly Weekly Weekly Weekly Weekly
 Field Assessment Per Weekly
Contractor Quality Audits to be Contract-- Per Per Per Per Per Per Per Per Per Per
Per
completed weekly throughout or Contract- Contract- Contract- Contract Contracto Contracto Contracto Contracto Contracto Contracto
Contractor
the year per random samples or or or or r r r r r r
generated from the Workbench
PAL
Environm
PAL Systems Quality Review
ental
Team
 General Compliance
 Vegetation Codes and 1x 1x
Accuracy Northern Northern
 Stakeholder Management
Plan 1x 1x
 Defect Reporting Southern Southern
Technic
Insurance
al
 Coverage
Officer
 Currency
Accreditations Technical
 Health and Safety Officer
 Quality Technic
Inspector
 Environmental al
/ Cutter
220
Officer Stakehold
Health er
and environm
Safety – ental
CONTRA sensitive
CT area
SYSTEM informati
S on
QUALIT collection
Y & records
REVIEW
Contract
ed to
NSCA
1x Technical
Norther Officer –
1x 1x Internal
n
Data Management Northern Northern Quality
1x
 Data Systems 1x 1x Review
Souther
 Data Accuracy Southern Southern 2013 Data
n
200 spans 200 spans Systems
200 Quality
spans Review
Vegetation Service Request 1x 1x 1x 1x

Compliance Southern Southern Northern Northern
221
OFFICE BASED MONITORING AND CONTROLS
RISK AREAS
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES
 Notification and Consultation
 Service Cable defect notification Managed by established business protocols – Customer Service Tracking, for vegetation work, is carried on a monthly basis.
 PEL notification
EMPLOYEE MANAGEMENT AND HEALTH AND SAFETY
 Subcontractor management
 Drugs and Alcohol
 Inductions
Controlled via monthly Operational Meeting between Electricity Networks and the Inspector/ Cutter (contractor). Standard
 Environmental
Agenda Item – issues to be discussed minuted and actions items addressed.
 Incident Investigation – LTI, MTI, First Aid, Hazards
 Fatigue - Driving, Heat/Cold, Work/Rest time, Working Alone
 Public Safety
PROGRAMS, CUSTOMER INTERACTION AND REPORTING
 Customer Notification
 Customer Satisfaction/Complaints
 Inspectors/ Cutters (contractors) Monthly and Annual Reports
 Programs, Planning, Effectiveness including; Controlled via monthly Operational Meeting between Electricity Networks and the Inspector/ Cutter (contractor). Standard
o Herbicide Agenda Item – issues to be discussed minuted and actions items addressed.
o Service Cables
o Live Line Clearing
 Incidents – reporting, faults, fires etc.
ELECTRICITY NETWORKS MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Regulatory Obligations Compliance to Regulatory Obligations reported as required by business protocols – field compliance undertaken
Financial Management Controlled via monthly section finance meeting – reported as required at senior management level
Managed by monthly reporting and established contract performance measures – based on business reliability performance
Reliability Impacts
expectations
OTHER QUALITY REVIEW PROGRAMS
Powercor Vegetation Quality Reviews 20% compliance Quality Reviews of Powercor Fire Area – conducted by Manager Bushfire Mitigation
Powercor Line Condition Quality Reviews Fire season compliance Quality Reviews across 5% of the Powercor Fire Area - conducted by Manager Bushfire Mitigation
Enhanced Vegetation Quality Reviews Targeted fire season Quality Reviews in high risk areas as annual advised by CFA
Energy Safe Victoria - Field and Office Due annually through October to November – managed by ESV
Senior Management Scheduled annually in November – managed by Electricity Networks BFM Group
222
RISK AREAS
Ad hoc and Chance Quality Reviews Vegetation Management Groups additional Quality Reviews as appropriate
223
I
224
17 APPENDIX 3: GENERAL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PLAN
Note
 Park Vehicle clear of

moving traffic
 Vehicle mounted
rotating amber
flashing lights to be in
use
 Use vehicle as a
barrier
 Suitable Hi-Vis vest or

uniform to be worn
 A look out person may

be required
 Obey Road Rules
 Do not park vehicle

facing oncoming
traffic
225
8.3 Vegetation clearance Charts Guideline
 To provide guidance to Inspectors and the Vegetation Quality Review team in

Purpose determining the MCS requirements for each Conductor-type group.
 Multiple Vegetation clearance Charts exist to provide MCS requirements for

Background each conductor type. However, to provide simplicity for Inspectors
(contractors) and the Quality Review team on the field, CP-PAL has selected
the following Vegetation clearance Charts for each Conductor-type group.
 It must be noted that where the MCS cannot be easily determined, i.e.
Significant trees, Concerned Customers etc., the MCS should be accurately
calculated.
 For each reference table, a proposed MCS is made for different lengths.
 This is the Largest MCS required across the family of conductors in the
Conductor-type group.
The actual method for determining the additional distance for sag and
sway is documented in the Vegetation Management Policy.
226
Topic Information
The Regulations do not require individual sag / sway calculations to be made for
Vegetation spans under 100 m in LBRA.
clearance
Charts
selec ted for
eac h Insulated conductor for spans <100m
Conductor -
type LBRA
Uninsulated LV conductor for spans <100m
Uninsulated HV conductor for spans <100m
Uninsulated 66 000 volt electric line < 100m
227
Vertical Clearances = Base Vertical Clearance + Temperature Consideration
The following charts provide a guide only for ground based inspectors for the
vegetation clearance required for spans greater 100meters in length in LBRA or
all span lengths in HBRA. The charts are a guide only and vegetation clearance is
defined per the Vegetation Management Policy.
228
Reference Clearance Table 1

66kV AAC 19/4.75
66kV AAC 37/3.75
66kV ACSR 6/1/3.75
66kV ACSR 6/4.75 7/1.6
66kV Cadmium Copper 7/.113
Span Length 50% span 33% span 16% span
Near pole 2.25 2.25 2.25
5.0 2.25 2.25 2.25
10.0 2.25 2.25 2.25
15.0 2.25 2.25 2.25
20.0 2.25 2.25 2.25
30.0 2.25 2.25 2.25
40.0 2.25 2.25 2.25
50.0 2.27 2.26 2.26
60.0 2.29 2.29 2.29
70.0 2.54 2.31 2.31
80.0 2.53 2.34 2.34
90.0 2.87 2.78 2.36
100.0 3.25 2.93 2.39
125.0 3.47 3.13 2.45
150.0 4.29 3.85 2.54
175.0 4.94 4.42 2.89
200.0 5.86 5.24 3.38
225.0 6.09 5.45 3.51
250.0 7.00 6.25 3.99
275.0 7.97 7.11 4.51
229

<22kV AAC 7/3.00
<22kV AAC 19/3.25
<22kV Copper 7/.080
<22kV Copper 7/0.064
<22kV Cadmium Copper 7/.113
<22kV Cadmium Copper 19/0.089
Near pole 1.50 1.50 1.50
5.0 1.50 1.50 1.50
10.0 1.50 1.50 1.50
15.0 1.50 1.50 1.50
20.0 1.50 1.50 1.50
30.0 1.50 1.50 1.50
40.0 1.70 1.56 1.50
50.0 1.96 1.79 1.51
60.0 1.80 1.65 1.53
70.0 2.21 2.00 1.54
80.0 2.06 1.88 1.56
90.0 2.36 2.14 1.58
100.0 2.68 2.43 1.68
125.0 2.98 2.69 1.83
150.0 3.78 3.40 2.26
175.0 4.71 4.22 2.77
200.0 5.75 5.15 3.32
230

<22kV ACSR 6/1/3.75
<22kV ACSR 6/4.75 7/1.6
<22kV ACSR 6/1/3.00
Near pole 1.50 1.50 1.50
5.0 1.50 1.50 1.50
10.0 1.50 1.50 1.50
15.0 1.50 1.50 1.50
20.0 1.50 1.50 1.50
30.0 1.50 1.50 1.50
40.0 1.57 1.50 1.50
50.0 1.82 1.67 1.51
60.0 1.84 1.68 1.53
70.0 2.21 2.01 1.54
80.0 2.07 1.89 1.56
90.0 2.39 2.17 1.58
100.0 2.73 2.47 1.69
125.0 2.73 2.47 1.69
150.0 3.47 3.12 2.10
175.0 3.43 3.10 2.08
200.0 4.13 3.71 2.45
225.0 4.92 4.40 2.87
250.0 5.77 5.16 3.33
275.0 6.69 5.97 3.82
231
Reference Clearance Table 4 Reference Clearance Table 4 Reference Clearance Table 4

<22kV SC/GZ 3/2.75 <22kV SC/GZ 3/2.75 <22kV SC/GZ 3/2.75
<22kV SC/AC 3/2.75 <22kV SC/AC 3/2.75 <22kV SC/AC 3/2.75
Span Length 50% span 33% span 16% span Span Length 50% span 33% span 16% span Span Length 50% span 33% span 16% span
0.0 1.50 1.50 1.50 300.0 2.75 2.50 1.93 800.0 15.30 13.59 8.46
5.0 1.50 1.50 1.50 325.0 3.13 2.83 1.97 825.0 16.19 14.37 8.94
10.0 1.50 1.50 1.50 350.0 3.54 3.19 2.13 850.0 17.11 15.19 9.43
15.0 1.50 1.50 1.50 375.0 3.97 3.57 2.37 875.0 18.05 16.02 9.94
20.0 1.50 1.50 1.50 400.0 4.44 3.98 2.62 900.0 19.02 16.89 10.46
30.0 1.50 1.50 1.50 425.0 4.92 4.41 2.88 925.0 20.01 17.76 10.99
40.0 1.50 1.50 1.50 450.0 5.44 4.87 3.16 950.0 21.04 18.67 11.54
50.0 1.51 1.51 1.51 475.0 5.97 5.34 3.44 975.0 22.08 19.59 12.10
60.0 1.53 1.53 1.53 500.0 6.45 5.85 3.74 1000.0 23.15 20.53 12.68
70.0 1.54 1.54 1.54 525.0 7.13 6.36 4.06 1025.0 24.25 21.50 13.27
80.0 1.71 1.57 1.56 550.0 7.74 6.91 4.39 1050.0 25.37 22.49 13.87
90.0 1.97 1.80 1.58 575.0 8.39 7.48 4.74 1075.0 26.51 23.51 14.48
100.0 2.26 2.05 1.59 600.0 9.05 8.15 5.10 1100.0 27.68 24.54 15.11
125.0 2.60 2.36 1.63 625.0 9.75 8.68 5.47 1125.0 28.88 25.60 15.75
150.0 3.39 3.06 2.05 650.0 10.47 9.32 5.86 1150.0 30.10 26.68 16.41
175.0 4.30 3.87 2.55 675.0 11.21 9.97 6.26 1175.0 31.35 27.78 17.59
200.0 3.14 2.83 1.92 700.0 11.98 10.65 6.67 1200.0 32.62 28.91 17.77
225.0 3.74 3.37 2.25 725.0 12.77 11.35 7.09 1225.0 33.91 30.02 18.46
250.0 4.41 3.96 2.60 750.0 13.59 12.07 7.54 1250.0 35.24 31.22 19.18
275.0 5.13 4.60 2.99 775.0 14.44 12.82 7.99 1275.0 36.59 32.42 19.90
232

<22kV Copper 19/0.116
<22kV Copper 19/0.089
Near pole 1.50 1.50 1.50
5.0 1.50 1.50 1.50
10.0 1.50 1.50 1.50
15.0 1.50 1.50 1.50
20.0 1.50 1.50 1.50
30.0 1.50 1.50 1.50
40.0 1.50 1.50 1.50
50.0 1.60 1.51 1.51
60.0 1.53 1.53 1.53
70.0 1.78 1.63 1.54
80.0 1.60 1.56 1.56
90.0 1.84 1.68 1.58
100.0 2.10 1.92 1.59
125.0 2.07 1.88 1.63
150.0 2.64 2.39 1.68
175.0 3.29 2.97 2.00
200.0 4.04 3.63 2.40

<22kV ACSR 3/4/2.5
Near pole 1.50 1.50 1.50
5.0 1.50 1.50 1.50
10.0 1.50 1.50 1.50
15.0 1.50 1.50 1.50
20.0 1.50 1.50 1.50
30.0 1.67 1.53 1.50
40.0 1.99 1.82 1.50
50.0 2.78 2.51 1.73
60.0 3.75 3.38 2.25
70.0 1.57 1.54 1.54
80.0 1.82 1.67 1.56
90.0 2.09 1.91 1.58
100.0 2.40 2.18 1.59
125.0 3.28 2.96 2.00
150.0 4.35 3.90 2.57
175.0 5.61 5.02 3.24
200.0 7.04 6.28 4.02
225.0 2.60 2.36 1.80
250.0 3.05 2.75 1.87
275.0 3.54 3.19 2.13
300.0 4.06 3.65 2.42
233
TOA VEGETATION CLEARANCES

All conductor is 37/3.75 AAAC running at 132kV
Regulatory Clearances (Electric Line Clearance Regs 2015) - Vertical Below 3.7m / Horizontal 4.6m
Stringing - 3% of CBL (Slack)
Near Span
Pole Length
<7
5 <85
Vertical 6.9 7.6
Horizontal 1.5 6.8 7.3
Stringing - 10% of CBL
(Medium)
Near
Pole Span Length
<4 <10
5 <85 0 <110 <125 140 185
Vertical 4.1 5.3 6.1 6.5 7.1 8.1 10.6
Horizontal 1.5 4.9 4.9 5.9 6.2 6.4 7.1 8.8
Stringing - 20% of CBL
(Tight)
Near
Pole Span Length
<8 <12
5 <110 0 <130 <150 <160 250
Vertical 5.9 5.6 5.8 5.9 6.8 7.3 10.1
Horizontal 1.5 5.1 5.5 5.6 5.7 6.2 6.4 8.5
NOTES-
* No vegetation allowed vertically above the line for transmission lines
* Distances do not include regrowth and are the MCS
* Vertical below clearances are based on Conductor at 50° C
234
TOA VEGETATION MINIMUM CLEARANCES DIAGRAMS
235
8.4 CPM – Quoting Live Line Vegetation Services for ORPs –
Guideline
This Guideline provides support information for the process of providing Live-Line
Purpose Vegetation Services to Other Responsible Persons. This Guideline details the steps
required by the Vegetation Group to manage the quoting process in the Customer
Projects Management (CPM) System.
Task Detail
Create CR Technical Officer will create Customer Request (CR) in the Customer Projects
Management System (CPM) and issue acknowledgment notification to council as
follows:
Sap Function Code ZCP01 – Customer Request Create
Complete the Customer Request: Create screen as follows:
Description: Naming Convention for Description field will start with the type of
work, i.e. LL (for Live Line) or CC (for Council Contractor Working Under Our
Control) and relates to areas and number of items requested by Council ()
eg. LL TAYLORS LAKES, ST ALBANS, KEILOR (8)
8001 - VEGP for Powercor (Do not use VEGC)
NB: The Council representative’s name is to be placed in the Customer Project

Reference field.
Click the Green Tick to enter
236
Search All councils already exist within CPM and it is a requirement of Credit not to
Customer duplicate customers. Prior to creating a new Customer it is important to ALWAYS
search for an existing customer/council. Refer to the Council and ORP Contacts list
in the Vegetation Management drive under Program Management >> ORP for
customer numbers to be used by the Vegetation Group. This list can be updated
with the numbers in use.
Click on the button Add Customer
– this will allow you to either enter a 7 digit Customer Number (Sold To Party
beginning with “3”) or allow you to initiate a search via the button.
After completing all the relevant fields click the

A new Tab has now been created. Click on this Tab to view the
details you entered.
Creating Land Given that quotes issued by the Vegetation Group are all for services to council and
Details may relate to a number of locations per quote, the land details will be the council’s
address only.
To add new Land Details you must first access the Tab in the CR, then
click on Create Object
237
Required Fields
 Description – Council Name
 Address – Street No, Street Name, Citiy Postcode, State and Country
Click on the Save Button
238
“Partners” in a CR is a term that relates to all parties that are associated with the
Attaching Customer Request (CR). Partners for the Vegetation Group are to be selected as
Partners follows:
CPM Responsible Staff – Council Liaison Officer
Sold-to Party – Council requesting services
Assisting CPM Staff – Technical Officer
To attach a Partner to a CR access the Tab in the CR and then click on
the button.
The following screen then appears. Click in the Function and select Function from
the drop down list. Click in the Partner area to add Partner.
Once Partner is selected Click and then

A prompt box will then appear and you click yes
An information box will then be displayed – just click
All Partners attached to the CR will be listed in the Partners Tab of the CR.
239
A Property Group can only be assigned if Land Details exist
Assigning
Return to Basic Data Tab.
Property
Group Click on the Customer Request Menu and scoll down and select the Property Group
option.
Click Yes when prompted ‘Are you sure you want to assign a property group now?’
Enter Property Group as per Description in Create CR

When the screen refreshers an additional tab will appear. This confirms
that a property Group has been assigned to
240
In the Documents Tab, select Create Document and open the Registry Tree using
Creating/Atta the button until you locate the required template
ching
Documents
The template will open up in a document window permitting you to edit the
document as required.
When you have finished editing make sure you save by clicking on and
selecting Yes to save the document!
The letter can be printed by clicking the Print icon in the document.
The document is now saved in the Documents Tab of the CR, as per below
Alternatively, existing documents can be imported using the Create with Reference
button
241
Update Status to Acknowledged
Status
Update
Select Acknowledged
Click on Green tick. The Status will be updated.
Go to Approvals Tab and update the Responsible Person to the Council Liaison
Officer and then Click on the Release button.
Then return to the Status and select Approval Requested.
NOTE : For Vegetation Management purposes the Status is updated for

 Approval Requested
 Approved
 Response Issued
 Customer Accepted
242
 Constructed
 Invoiced
 Technically Closed
 Closed
Return to the Basic Data Tab and click on the Time Confirmation
Time
Confirmation
Select relevant Work Centre – from drop down list

Enter Personnel Number
Enter hours, e.g. 0.5, 1, 1.5, etc.
Click on the Green Tick and save entries.
For Activities such as internal communication and customer communication, the

Adding Activity Tab can be updated by clicking on the Additional Notes button and
Activities selecting the Type of Note required
243
The Council Liaison Officer will pick up the CR either from their SAP Workflow or the
Issuing To Investigate Tab of the Workbench
Quote Once in the CR, the CLO will be able to access the ACS Costing Sheet – Vegetation
template - Creating/Attaching Documents
The CLO will then add the GST Exclusive amount in the Contribution Details field in
the Basic Data Tab and move the CR to an Approved Status (refer to Approvals
section).
And entering the amount (GST Exclusive) in the Total Customer Payment and EN
Vegetation Charge fields then clicking on the
244
The CLO will then issue the Quote and Agreement to the requesting council -
Creating/Attaching Documents
The CLO will update the Status of the CR to Response Issued and undertake Time
Confirmation
Upon receipt of the Council’s acceptance, the CR status will be updated to

Quote Customer Accepted
Acceptance
From the Basics Data Tab, click on Create Sales Document.

Invoicing Note: Take note of the area clearing has been requested to information for the
Invoice.
245
Ensure the Material Description refers to Vegetation Works. Where the Council has
supplied a Purchase Order number, this can be entered or a reference to the
Council representative.
Click on green Tick
Select all by clicking , then click on Complete Data
Type in the Location, or Description (as per advice from the Council Liaison Officer)
then click the forward Arrow
246
Add the name to appear on the Invoice then click on the forward Arrow
Add the Order Number. 407461 for Powercor. 407462 for CitiPower then click on
the forward Arrow
Overview screen. Click to preview invoice.
247
Update Status to Invoiced, then Technically Closed, then Closed.
To access the Vegetation CPM Workbench use the following SAP Transaction Code
Vegetation
Workbench
for CPM
Filter your search by CPM for Vegetation Powercor or Vegetation CitiPower
248
Open Vegetation CR’s can be tracked in the Workbench, according to the Status of
the CR.
CRs opened from the Workbench can be edited by clicking on the from within
the CR.
The CR costs can then be approved by the CPM Responsible Person (for Vegetation
Approvals this is the Council Liaison Officer) in the Approvals Tab. Highlight the line and click
on the Accept button.
Add comment
The CR Status is then updated to Approved
Time Confirmation is also updated (refer Time Confirmation instruction above)
249
Once you have confirmed that you need to create a new Customer click on the
Creating a button and completed all the relevant fields.
New
Customer
After completing all the relevant click the

The following information box appears.
And a new Tab is created as well. Click on this Tab to view the
details you entered.
250

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2017 to 2018 Electric Line Clearance

(Vegetation) Management Plan

CitiPower and Powercor

November 15, 2017

3.1.1 POWERCOR NETWORK GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE TO WHICH ELCMP APPLIES ............... 14

4.2 INSPECTION .............................................................................................................. 22

REFERENCE VEGETATION FIELD REFERENCE GUIDE (available separately)

Document Revision History

4 VP Timeframes Wayne Evans/Matt Thorpe 15 November 2017

Material Alterations from the 2016/2017 ELCMP

ELCMP Clause Change/Updated Element Comments

For other definitions refer to the Act, Regulations and Code.

Item Ref Regulation Requirement ELCMP Reference

11 Exemptions Table of Exemptions

7 Owner or operator of transmission line must manage trees around

19 Dispute resolution 4.5.2 Dispute

ELCMP Responsible Powercor Electricity 40 Market Street Phone: 13 22 06

ELCMP preparation Matt Thorpe Head of 40 Market Street Phone: 13 22 06

ELCMP Wayne Evans Vegetation 40 Market Street Phone: 13 22 06

ELCMP Emergency Powercor Phone: 13 24 12

Electricity Safety (Electric Line

Hierarchy of Vegetation Management Documents

Vegetation Management Policy

Electric Line Clearance (Vegetation)

Vegetation Management Vegetation Annual Execution Plan

Conduct Conduct Verify Contractor

o Live safely o Make it easy for our customers

Table 1 - Powercor 2015 AER benchmarking

Table 1 - CitiPower 2015 AER benchmarking

Ref: Biodiversity Interactive Map DELWP internet version

Figure 3(b) - CitiPower Victorian Vegetation Coverage Categories

3.5 P R O C E S S T O I D EN TI FY N A TI O N A L L Y P RO T EC TED V EG E TA T I O N AND H AB I T A T

2017 Vegetation Program 2018 Vegetation Program

Quality management . Consistant quality outcomes

Council Engagement. Reliability and Safety

Herbicide and Slashing Herbicide and Slashing ~5,000

Tree Growth Regulator ~100

4.2.1 Inspection Cycle

Note: There are no HBRA currently within CitiPower’s geographic area.

4.2.2 Inspection to Maintain Vegetation Clear of Powerlines

Figure 6 Vegetation buffer zone Minimum Clearance Spaces

(Prescribed Code of Practice Provisions clause 9 (3l))

o the significance and public value of the site’s aesthetics

4.2.3 Inspection for Hazard Trees

4.3.2 Urgent Cutting/Removal

Urgent cutting or removal can be undertaken in the following circumstances –

Authority Act 1958

4.3.3 Compliance to AS4373 as far as practicable

4.4.1 General Assistance

o providing specialist advice on safe work practices

4.4.2 ORP Declared Area Non-Compliances

The consultation will include;

Engage Council through current meeting structures

 Agreement on Public Land Managers involvement

Tree Management Plan

General Enquires 1300 301 101

Detailed description of Powercor notification requirements is included in Reference F.

Working safely near live electrical apparatus as a non-electrical worker UETTDREL14A M

6 ELCMP PERFORMANCE MONITORING AND AUDITING

Council/ Establishment Revision Council/ Establishment Revision

Borough of Swan Hill

Boroondara City Council DRAFT 2014 2017

City of Glen Eira DRAFT 2014 2017