Safe distances
Under the Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations 2003, trees must be kept outside the growth limit zone around network lines.
- Growth limit zone. The growth limit zone is the area surrounding an electricity line which trees, shrubs, plants and vegetation must be kept clear of. The size of the growth limit zone depends on the voltage and span lengths of the lines (see table below).
- Notice zone. The notice zone extends 1 metre beyond the growth limit zone. When a tree is cut or trimmed under the regulations, it must be cut clear of the notice zone. For the health of the tree, proper tree trimming techniques may mean the tree needs to be cut or trimmed further than the notice zone.
- Professional only zone. Trimming trees near network lines is extremely dangerous work and, under the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 and the Health Safety in Employment Regulations 1995, only approved arborists are allowed to trim trees within 4 metres of network lines.
A tree owner can only trim a tree themselves provided all parts of the tree are 4 metres or more away from electricity network lines - Save the on-going costs of complying with the regulations by having the tree trimmed to where you can maintain it yourself.
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VOLTAGE
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GROWTH LIMIT ZONE
Distance in any direction from any point on the lines or equipment (d)
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33kV
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2.5m
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11kV
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1.6m
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400/230V
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0.5m
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These distances apply to power lines with spans between poles up to 150 metres. Additional clearances apply for spans greater than 150 metres. As a guide, most power lines on Vector’s electricity network have spans up to 150 metres and are 11kV but this will be confirmed in any notice from the network.
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