Image of female in high vis wearing glasses, and mask talking into radio while crew works near electricity lines

Working Near Lines

Working with or around electricity, particularly high voltage electricity, can be dangerous.

Safety is our number one priority. That’s why we work with Energy Safe Victoria to ensure our people, customers and assets are kept safe during works.

It’s important to contact us before beginning any work near our assets.

Call us on 1300 360 795 (8am-5pm, Monday to Friday).

No Go Zones

No Go Zones (NGZ) are the safe clearance of overhead and underground electricity assets.

A Permit to Work or written advice is needed before starting any work. This will be issued in line with the following indicative process and timeframes. Permits help ensure that only authorised people are working on or near our assets.

The permit outlines the minimum distances that people and equipment can work near electricity assets. Permits also provide guidance on what to do if clearances can’t be met. This includes equipment such as cranes, excavators, concrete pumpers, scissor lifts and scaffolding.

Extec Services manage the NGZ permits on our behalf.

Contact Extec Services via email at nogozone@extec.com.au or call (03) 5941 7333.

Extec will contact you within 48 hours to make an appointment.

Process

Approximate timeframe

Site visit

5 business days

Permit assessment for: Low Voltage (LV) with no switching
High Voltage (HV) permits for suppression
Any permits requiring supply interuption

can be issued at site visit
minimum 10 business days

minimum 20 business days

Typical situations such as supply shutdowns/isolations

Up to 5 weeks, requires 18 business days for Network Operations

Protective warning methods such as fitting of tiger tails or insulating mats

Up to 5 weeks for the management and completion of requests

Visual warning protections, including No Go Zone flagging, warning signs

Up to 5 weeks for the management and completion of requests

No Go Zone work costs

There are costs involved with work conducted in NGZ around distribution assets. These costs help cover hazard warning and safety services.

All costs are subject to variation and depend on case-by-case work requirements.

These costs don’t include extra services, for example traffic management services, Council or VicRoads permits.

Electrical Shutdowns, Isolations, Safety Observer

Service type

Minimum charge

Supply shutdown of Network (covers)

$3000

Isolation of Services

$1000

Hold Electrical Power poles

$3700

Safety observer

$700

Visual warning methods such as tiger tails and flagging

Service type

Minimum charge

Installation of Tiger tails (covers)

$1200

Installation of Flagging

$3100

Transmission No Go Zone requests

You’ll need approval from the Line Assets Easements Group before working in NGZ around transmission assets.

The group will help you obtain written authorisation, which may include a Permit to Work.

You can contact them via email at PTW@ausnetservices.com.au, or call us on 1300 360 795 (Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm).

Find out more about working near powerlines on Energy Safe Victoria’s website.

Resources

Read our Guide to
Living with Transmission
Line Easements.

Before starting any digging or excavation work, please contact Dial Before You Dig by calling 1100.