How do I know if I have a private power pole on my property?
Private power poles are located on private land, rather than on a council verge or within a designated easement.
Keep your private powerlines and poles safe
Power poles and powerlines are exposed to all kinds of weather, wildlife and pests, which can put them at risk of structural damage. Damaged or degraded power poles and powerlines can lead to fires or electric shock, so it's important to keep this electrical infrastructure safe.
- Never climb a pole, approach the wires, attempt any electrical repairs yourself or cut any vegetation near an energised powerline. Contact with live wires can kill.
- Keep trees and branches at least 5 metres away from powerlines to help prevent power interruptions and the possibility of fire, electric shock or electrocution.
- Never trim trees and branches near powerlines yourself - find a trained tree pruning contractor
- Safely remove any vegetation on the ground close to the base of all power poles and under the powerlines.
What to look out for...
At least once a year, check your private powerlines and poles (including stay-wires, fittings and other components) for any visible signs damage or deterioration:
- For wooden poles, look for cracks, rot or attack by white-ants/termites.
- For steel poles, check for rust above and below ground, even if the pole is galvanised.
It’s a good idea to have a qualified, licensed professional regularly inspect the condition of private power poles and powerlines to check for any structural issues or internal deterioration you may not be able to see.
We may contact you to arrange an inspection
We conduct private power pole inspections to keep you, your family and the community safe. We may contact you to arrange an inspection of any private power poles that are directly connected to our network.
Make sure our Horizon Power teams can always access your powerlines and poles.
If we need your help to access the pole (e.g. opening locked gates or ensuring animals don’t escape the property), we will arrange an inspection time convenient for you. For everybody’s safety, we have statutory rights of entry and access, based on sections 43, 46(9) and 48 of the Energy Operators (Powers) Act 1979 and other legislative provisions.
-
What are private power poles and why is Horizon Power inspecting them?
Private power poles are power poles located on private land – rather than on a council verge or within a designated easement.
We’ll be inspecting only those private power poles that are directly connected to our network. These are sometimes referred to as the ‘first pole’. There may be other private poles connected to the ‘first pole’ on private property, which we will not be inspecting. It is the responsibility of the property owner to check the condition of all power poles on their property including the ‘first pole’.
Unsafe or damaged power poles not only put our electricity supply at risk, they can also cause bush fires and even serious injury or death.
As noted above, please ensure that you regularly inspect any private power poles on your property for the same purpose. As the property owner, you are responsible and accountable for inspecting these poles and ensuring they are safe.
-
How do I know if I have private powerlines on my property?
Powerlines which transport electricity from your main switchboard and meter to your home or other buildings are private powerlines. This includes the pole where our overhead service cable is attached and/or the pole where the switchboard/meter box is located. If you have private powerlines or a private power pole on your property, it is your responsibility to inspect and maintain them.
-
Who is responsible for maintaining private power poles?
As the property owner, you are responsible and accountable for the maintenance of all private power poles on your property. This includes a power pole that is connected to the Horizon Power network.
Notwithstanding this, we’re undertaking a program of inspecting those private power poles that are directly connected to our network. We’ll notify you if maintenance or replacement is required to those poles.
We will not inspect any other power poles on your property. This work needs to be done by a private electrical contractor.
More information about private power poles can be found on the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety’s website https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/publications/private-power-poles-and-lines-brochure
-
Can I get my power undergrounded?
Yes, if you wish to replace your pole with an underground service connection, we can discuss your requirements and work with you on an expected delivery date depending on the complexity of the connection.
You can request this at any time, however if you have received a notice to repair or replace your private power pole, we suggest you apply as soon as possible. Please advise us that you have received a private power pole replacement notice at the point of application.
The property owner will need to pay any costs associated with this work.
-
What if the private power pole is shared by neighbouring properties?
If a private power pole connects multiple properties to the Horizon Power network, then all property owners served by the pole are responsible for its maintenance. We advise you contact your neighbours to agree on a course of action to make your shared private poles safe.
-
I am a tenant and have received a private power pole notice – what should I do?
If you’re a tenant at your property and receive a notice, please forward it to your landlord or property manager. The private power pole is likely to be their responsibility to maintain, depending on the terms of your tenancy arrangement.
-
Will you need to access my land?
We’ll need to access your property to inspect your pole. If we need your help to access the pole (e.g. opening locked gates or ensuring animals don’t escape the property), please contact us to arrange an inspection time convenient for you. If you need to provide us access to your property or if you have any questions about this work, please call your local office.
-
How much will the inspection cost me?
There is no cost to you for this inspection. However, any maintenance or replacement will need to be arranged by you and carried out at your expense.
-
How will Horizon Power inspect the private pole?
We’ll visually inspect the private pole on your property and, if safe to do so, check the condition of the pole below ground level. We don’t anticipate an electricity outage will be required, but if we find the condition of your power pole poses an immediate safety risk, we’ll need to disconnect the property to maintain community safety.
-
I’ve received a notice to replace my private pole – what do I need to do?
If you receive a notice to repair or replace a private pole, it’s best to contact a local electrical contractor as soon as possible.
Making your pole safe may involve pole reinforcement through to full pole replacement. Your electrical contractor will provide you a quote to undertake the work.
The notice will also outline the timeframe you have to make your pole safe. Contacting a qualified electrical contractor as soon as you receive your notice will ensure that work is completed before the end of the notice period and will help to avoid any service interruptions.
You may also wish to take the opportunity to arrange inspection of any other private power poles on your property at the same time to ensure they are safe.
If you receive a notice and have any questions, please contact your local office.
-
How long will I have to replace my power pole?
If your pole is found to be unsafe, you will have 30 days to address this.
You’ll need to engage a licensed electrician to undertake this work and make the pole compliant to Australian Standards within the advised timeframe - otherwise for safety reasons we’ll need to disconnect your property until the installation is made safe.
Electricity is all around us
Read our quick guide on how to take care around electrical infrastructure you can and can't see.
Trees and powerlines
Here's how to avoid tree branches touching powerlines, which can cause power interruptions, fire and other accidents.
Always use a licensed contractor
Electricity is dangerous. Don’t risk causing harm to you or your family by doing your own electrical work.
Horizon Power acknowledges the Traditional Custodians throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain images, names or voices of deceased people.