High winds and stormy weather can blow branches and debris into powerlines – so trees need to be trimmed if they are too close to powerlines. 

Horizon Power crews regularly inspect powerlines to check whether any vegetation is growing too close.  As a general rule, trees should be no closer than five metres to powerlines. For the minimal clearance figure for your region please contact your local Horizon Power office. 

Figure 1: Clearance Zones for Overhead Power Lines

Figure 2: Vegetation Clearance Zones for LV ABC

It is the resident’s responsibility to trim trees on private property, even if they are not the home owner.

You may want to check if this is covered in your rental agreement.

Horizon Power works with local councils to carry out vegetation management programs on urban street verges and road reserves. As a guide, the trees coloured orange in the diagram below are the responsibility of the occupier of Property A; those coloured green are the responsibility of the occupier of Property B. The tree planted on the verge (blue coloured tree) is the responsibility of the local council.