WP1323 - Working Near Overhead and Underground Electric Lines

Electricity Entity Requirements:
Working Near Overhead and Underground Electric Lines

All work in the vicinity of damaged overhead or underground electric lines shall cease and the
area be made safe and vacated until clearance to continue earthworks has been obtained from
the Electricity Entity. Call Electricity Entity (Emergencies phone number – refer page 3).

9.      INFRASTRUCTURE NEAR ELECTRIC LINES
9.1. Easements and Wayleaves
This information, whilst not a legal document, has been developed to assist the community in
answering some commonly asked questions about our easements and wayleaves, and briefly
outlines what you can do where land is affected by an easement or where consent to installing
electrical infrastructure has been given.

9.1.1       What is an Electricity Easement?
An electricity easement is the authority held by the Electricity Entity to use your land near
overhead and underground electric lines and substations (electrical assets). Electricity Entity
holds this authority for your own safety and to allow employees access to electrical assets at all
times. Whilst it will depend on the terms of the particular grant of easement, electrical
easements generally give the Electricity Entity the right to access, maintain, repair, rebuild and
to restrict development within a defined area.
The easement, which is registered on the property’s title, contains a plan showing the
dimensions of the easement and its location on the property together with the rights and
restrictions over the easement area. The Department of Natural Resources and Mines
http://www.nrm.qld.gov.au/ or your solicitor will be able to provide this information. Easements
may also exist for telephone lines, water and sewage mains and natural gas supply lines.

9.1.2       Why are easements necessary?
Easements are also created to allow the Electricity Entity clear, 24 hour access to the electric
lines. It is important to keep the easement clear at all times so regular maintenance, line
upgrades, damage or technical faults can be attended to immediately to provide a safe and
reliable supply of electricity. Interference with Electricity Entity’s rights and electrical equipment
may compromise safety of the public and the occupiers of the property. Therefore, it is essential
that Electricity Entity’s rights are understood and observed.

9.1.3       How do I know if there are easements on my property?
Contact your solicitor or The Department of Natural Resources and Mines to obtain a Title
Search that shows all registered easements on the property.

9.1.4       Who owns the land the easement is on?
The ownership of that land encumbered with the easement remains with the property owner.

9.1.5       How does an easement affect what I can do with my property?
An easement controls what you can build, what size trees you can plant and what outdoor
activities you can carry out in the easement area.
An easement affects the use of the property by limiting the development that can be undertaken
within the easement area. The exact rights granted to an Electricity Entity under an electricity
easement will depend on the wording used in the grant of easement. Property owners and
occupiers should also be aware that an Electricity Entity has the right of access to land to
undertake certain works (including reading meters and disconnecting supply). These rights of



Check this is the latest version before use.               Page 25of30                                        EGX WP1323 Ver 2
9 June 2015                                                                                               EE BS001405R107 Ver 2
                            Joint Reference Document between Energex and Ergon Energy
                    Energex Limited ABN 40 078 849 055  Ergon Energy Corporation Limited ABN 50 087 646 062