Strategic Vegetation Management

1. Strategic Vegetation Management Alexandra Lewis, Vegetation Strategy Lead LGA Roads and Works Conference – 28 August 2014

2. Current approach to trees & powerlines • Why do we cut? • Mitigate bushfire risk • Ensure public and infrastructure safety • Maintain reliability • Asset integrity and maintenance • What we do today Inspect and/or trim trees as per the provisions of the Electricity Act & the Electricity (Principles of Vegetation Clearance) Regulations • Comply with legislative obligations • Annual cycle in bushfire risk areas • Cyclic program of not more than 3 years in non-bushfire risk areas • Cutting outcomes • Legislated ‘Clearance Zones’ determine extent and nature of cutting • Regulations define areas as bushfire/ non-bushfire risk areas

3. Vision • Develop a long-term plan for vegetation management that creates a sustainable environment that minimises the need for tree trimming over time • Move away from ‘one size fits’ all approach to a range of approaches that suit different regions or environments and aligns with risk • Community and Council engagement • Collaborative partnerships and programs • Public education and awareness • Sustainability – tree removal or planting the right trees, positive net impact on the environment • Continue to meet our relevant obligations to protect the community and maintain reliability

4. Proposed Vegetation Management Strategy Key Components of the Vegetation Management Strategy are: • Effective Stakeholder Engagement • Tree removal and replacement program • Quality of vegetation clearance • Establish protocols for vegetation management • Changes to Regulations • Improve data on vegetation near powerlines Implementation of the Plan as proposed is dependent on funding approval from the Australian Energy Regulator

5. Effective Stakeholder Engagement • Established LGA/Council Working Group • Strategic vegetation management workshops –1 October 2013 and 19 March 2014 • Stakeholder Engagement Activities eg local government forum, face to face meetings, presentations • Directions for Vegetation Management Discussion Paper – Council feedback (26/4 – 6/6), LGA endorsed at June meeting • Willingness to Pay research • Arborist Reference Group • Public Education Program

6. Tree Removal and Replacement Program • Focus on habitat creation • Remove 2.5% of inappropriate trees in consultation with Councils and landowners • Sapling removal program – reduce cost, visual impact • Replace with appropriate species • Species specific programs eg fast growing species • Staged removal/ replacement programs • Pilot programs and tree removal trials eg Riverton, Mount Barker

7. Tree Removal and Replacement Trial • Echunga trial – June 2014 • Partnership with Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges NRM Board and Mount Barker Council • Clear 28 spans at 4 sites • Reduce fuel load, eliminate roadside vegetation, remove weed trees • High levels of NCR, vegetation hotspot in terms of interruptions (>2 pa) • Community engagement

8. Quality of Vegetation Clearance • Pruning techniques to improve visual outcome and maintain tree health • Trimming cycles and more frequent trimming • Pre-emptive/ formative pruning – Councils undertake to shape trees and improve visual outcome long term • Cutting practices and cycles – species specific to optimise results • Trial of more advanced trimming practices – understand cost, community response • Engage up to 6 arborists to provide ongoing advice on cutting approach / techniques • Auditing quality of cutting by contractors

9. Protocols for Vegetation Management • Agreement with Councils – expectations/ requirements • Notification, consultation and communication – sufficient notice to enable Council/ community input • Pruning cycles and timing • Alternatives to vegetation clearance • Arborists’ input • Continuous review and update

10. Other vegetation management initiatives • Appropriate Species List • Recognises regional differences eg low rainfall areas • Botanic Gardens Interactive Plant Selector Tool http://webservices.lga.sa.gov.au/login.php • Community education and information • Educational material • Online information • Landowner consultation • Partnerships • NRM Boards • Research/ educational institutions • Working with the Native Vegetation Council – offsets strategy

11. Changes to Regulations • Propose number of amendments to Office of the Technical Regulator including: • Expanding the risk-based approach to non-bushfire risk areas/ rural townships and low voltage clearances • Review bushfire/ non bushfire area boundaries and reclassifying certain built up rural towns as non-bushfire risk areas • Permitting the removal of trees/ saplings outside the Buffer Zone but beneath the Clearance Zone • Reviewing span clearance zone based on swing and sag of conductor

12. Reset Submission to Australian Energy Regulator (2015-2020) • Funding provided to SA Power Networks based on regulatory periods • Submission likely to include: • Base cut • Tree removal/ replacement program (BFRA/ NBFRA) • Trials, arborists • Community and stakeholder engagement • Data capture/ management • Implementation of initiatives relies on funding approval from Australian Energy Regulator

13. Any questions or feedback?