Clearance
around mini
pillars, meters
and substations
Help us keep your services on.
Substations, mini pillars
and meters
ActewAGL’s substations, mini pillars and meters play an
important part in the safe and efficient operation of your
services. Plants, shrubs and other objects that are too
close to them can make it difficult for ActewAGL staff
to get access and reduce the reliability of the network.
Mini pillars are grey-green, or cream coloured fibreglass,
plastic or steel cabinets about 0.5 metres square and
1 to 1.5 metres high that are on some nature-strips or
other open spaces. Substations are typically grey, green
or cream coloured steel or fibreglass enclosures that are
3 to 4 metres long, 1 to 2 metres wide and up to 2 metres
high, with multiple access doors. They both house
electrical cabling.
4
8
Substation
Why do they need to
be kept clear?
There are several reasons:
• to ensure their safe and efficient operation
• t o provide access for authorised personnel and
specialised equipment to carry out essential
maintenance and replacement
• t o provide access in the case of emergency switching
or equipment failure
Your surrounding neighbourhood could be severely
disrupted for an extended period if we do not have clear
access to network infrastructure. If we need to get access
urgently we may need to remove obstructions or cut away
plants. These will not be replaced and compensation will
not be paid.
What is the clearance
distance?
You should keep obstructions 1.5 metres away in all
directions to avoid interfering with infrastructure like
mini pillars, substations and meters.
What is an interference?
Some common types of interferences are:
•
•
•
•
•
lants, such as bushes and trees
p
sleepers or rockeries
retaining walls and screening barriers such as lattice
building materials, piles of mulch or soil and pallets
parked or dismantled cars.
Who is responsible?
Whether you’re a land owner or a tenant, we need
your assistance to keep vegetation and obstructions clear
of ActewAGL assets such as substations, mini pillars and
meters on, or adjacent to, your property. People often
plant trees and shrubs too close in order to hide this
equipment, not realising the extent to which they may
grow and impede access. The Department of Territory
and Municipal Services (TAMS) is ultimately responsible
for nature strips and for any obstructions to ActewAGL
equipment located on it; however it is an offence for
anyone to interfere with utility infrastructure, wherever
it is located.
How is this monitored?
ActewAGL inspectors may issue a notice asking you
to clear obstructions around infrastructure on or
near your property. You will have 21 days to arrange
for removal or trimming. If this does not occur, ActewAGL,
in consultation with TAMS, may arrange for removal or
trimming. No compensation will be paid in either case.
4
8
Mini pillar
Three important
things to remember
1. Plants, shrubs and other obstructions
should be kept 1.5 metres clear of
network infrastructure, which includes
substations, mini pillars and meters.
2. In most cases, ActewAGL requires a
minimum clearance of 1.5 metres.
3. ActewAGL inspectors will issue
notices to land owners and tenants
if plants, shrubs and other obstructions
are too close to, or interfere with,
network infrastructure on or adjacent
to your property.
More information
For more information call 6248 3555
or visit actewagl.com.au/safety
Customer enquiries
13 14 93 – electricity, water, sewerage
13 18 86 – natural gas
Emergencies and faults –
24 hours
13 10 93 – electricity and electric shock reports
13 11 93 – water, sewerage and stormwater
13 19 09 – natural gas
Language assistance
ActewAGL Distribution ABN 76 670 568 688 a partnership of ACTEW Distribution Limited
ABN 83 073 025 224 and Jemena Networks (ACT) Pty Ltd ABN 24 008 552 663.
CCA1111/014 AC2047
13 14 50 – 24 hours