Powerlink (advice agency) response - MCU2/0184

    within an Easement, the most important questions considered are the following:


    a)       Will it result in a public safety risk or hazard? What will be the effect on the safety of
             persons in respect of Electric and Magnetic Field Induction, earth potential rise, and
             Transferred Potential, especially during a Phase to Earth Fault?;


    b)       Will it affect the safe operation of the line, cable or other asset?;


    c)       Will it unduly restrict access, particularly to overhead line structures, underground
             cable joint bays or surface installations?;


    d)       Will it infringe the requirements of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2002 or other
             relevant safety criteria with respect to clearances including those which occur under
             Blow Out Conditions?; and


    e)       Will it affect any anticipated future works, including maintenance, refurbishment or
            replacement? This may be particularly critical where space has been provided                    on

            the easement for a future transmission line.


    6.     SPECIFIC RESTRICTIONS WITHIN EASEMENTS


    Enquiries are frequently made by property owners and others with regard to the restrictions
    which. apply to the use of land affected by Easements. The activities listed in Annexure B
    have been categorised as being either "permitted", "conditional", or "prohibited". It should
    be noted that the list covers a range of common requests and is not necessarily exhaustive.
    The omission of a particular activity does not relieve those concerned from seeking advice
    from Powerlink where there is any doubt as to whether Powerlink’s rights are likely to be
    infringed.

    7.     ACTIVITIES ON TRANSMIS~ION LINE EASEMENTS (overhead and
           underground)

    7. 1   Permitted Activites


    Many everyday activities can be safely carried out on the Easement, eg walking, gardening,
    driving, parking. Permitted activities are those which do not interfere or obstruct Powerlink in
    its activities involving construction, operation, maintenance, renewal or replacement of its
    Electricity Works.

    7.2    Conditional Activities

    The activities under this category are normally prohibited within transmission line Easements.
    However, on occasion Powerlink may approve conditional activities which are restricted to a
    certain distance from the conductor shadow area or structures. Approval to engage in such
.

    activities will not be granted other than in the most exceptional circumstances. They will
    require the prior written consent of Powerlink. These activities are considered to pose an
    unacceptable level of risk or hindrance to Powerlink’s activities, or to other persons and are
therefore limited to those activities that will not restrict or interfere with the maintenance or
safe operation of the Electricity Works, provided certain conditions are met. In addition to
specific conditions, general conditions, as set out in Annexure A, also apply.

    7.3    Prohibited Activities


The activities in this category are prohibited. Powerlink will not allow dwellings or substantial
structures to be built within the Easement, in order to exercise prudence in respect of
exposure to electric and magnetic fields, and maintain access and safety. However, in some



Page 7 of 14 Management of Easement Co-use Requests Guideline       Updated 06 September 2010 Version 6.0