Powercor’s external affairs manager Lyall Johnson said workers would prune or remove trees identified as posing a safety risk.

He said works had begun in Stawell, Great Western, Halls Gap and St Arnaud in the Northern Grampians.

Works had also started in the Ararat Rural City townships of Moyston, Willaura, Streatham, Pomonal, Wickliffe and Lake Bolac.

Mr Johnson said Powercor was working closely with the councils to determine which trees posed a safety risk and to minimise supply disruptions.

He said the company was working with council representatives to reduce the impact on the communities’ tree assets. 

Powercor’s vegetation management policies and practices were developed in accordance with the updated Electricity Safety – Electric Line Clearance – Regulations 2010. 

“Under the updated regulations, trees need to be trimmed back further than in the past and management cycles have increased,” he said.

Mr Johnson said Powercor was responsible for the cutting and removal of trees on public land in towns other than Stawell, St Arnaud and Ararat, including those within boundaries of private properties, to maintain required clearance space around powerline mains.

He said works would be completed during the next few months.

Powercor will also start its vegetation management program in Horsham this week.