Quick summary
- When building near powerlines in QLD, you must maintain a minimum clearance depending on the type of powerline. For high-voltage transmission lines, the exclusion zone is 6 metres; lower distribution lines require 3 metres of distance.
- Building under power lines might require an exemption from your local authority, but getting approval can be difficult unless absolutely necessary. Always check with your local power provider for specific clearances and exemption guidelines.
- Never build a swimming pool under power lines, and make sure all structures are within safe zones. Always abide by the proper safety measures during the building process to prevent dangerous accidents.
Are you hoping to build on your property but are unsure of how to deal with the power lines close by? Working near power lines can be dangerous, so it’s vital that you know how close you can be to them while safely and legally building. Before starting any work around power lines, it’s essential to know the relevant regulations regarding how close you can build and the safety precautions you need to take.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the restrictions and details of building near powerlines and provide some general tips.
What planning rules apply to building a home near power lines?
The first thing to understand is that not all power lines are the same. The number of kilovolts (kV) a power line transmits will play a major role in determining.
The two main types of power lines are transmission lines and distribution lines. Transmission lines are much more likely to be an issue in rural areas than in the city or suburbs. Distribution lines are the network that delivers electricity to businesses and homes. These poles are the ones you’re much more likely to see near your home.
Transmission lines generally have a high voltage (132kV, 330kV, etc.), while distribution lines tend to have lower voltage (110kV or lower). This means that the former generally pose a bigger threat, which is why they’re now more frequently being replaced or buried underground in high-risk flood or bushfire areas. This can reduce the distance you’re required to leave as clearance.
While it can vary depending on the situation, you’re usually not allowed to build any obstruction or structure within 5 metres of a power line without prior permission.
There are exceptions such as fencing, gardening and minor structures such as barbeque or playground equipment, provided they don’t completely block access to the easement. Though it is possible to get an exemption to build under powerlines, the odds are this won’t happen if there are any other viable options.
What about insulated smart grids?
Since 2022, there have been updates in powerline safety within Australia, including the use of insulated smart grids and underground powerlines in urban and disaster-prone areas. These advancements have the potential to impact clearance rules and exemption processes, as councils may relax restrictions for certain types of powerlines or mandate stricter safety measures based on the emerging technologies.
To avoid abiding by the incorrect restrictions and guidelines, we always recommend checking with your local council or energy provider for the most current regulations. They’ll also be able to give you more information on the specific power lines near your property and how to remain safe when building around them.
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PowerLine Exclusion Zones
When reading about building around powerlines, you’ll encounter the term exclusion zones. An exclusion zone is the minimum safe distance you need to be during a build to remain safe and avoid electric shock or damaging the powerlines.
For the most part, exclusion zones are:
- 3 metres for voltages up to 132kV
- 6 metres for voltages up to 330kV
Smarter grids and insulated power lines might allow for smaller clearance distances in some cases, but this would require specific approvals and safety assessments to be carried out by your local council. For bare wires, you’ll most likely need to add another 1m clearance for better protection.
If your property is in an area that uses underground powerlines, the exclusion zone requirements might change. These zones might be more lenient in some cases, but they might also come with new protocols depending on your local council regulations and specific building types - so don’t assume you’re exclusion zone automatically means easier building plans.
Tips & advice to help ensure you remain compliant
Transmission lines vs distribution lines
There are two main types of power lines, and yes, they will play a role in determining where you can build. Transmission lines allow large quantities of electricity to travel over long distances and are more common in rural areas. If you’re building in the city or suburbs, you’re much more likely to be dealing with a distribution line, which has a lower voltage.
Due to transmission lines having more kV, the exclusion zones have a wider clearance. This doesn’t mean that distribution lines aren’t dangerous, just that you can build closer to them.
Urban areas might see more underground distribution lines, meaning the need for overhead clearance could lower or even diminish in the coming years. If you’re hoping to build in rural areas with high-voltage transmission lines, you’ll most likely still need to adhere to the 6m clearance - unless newer technologies like insulated lines and underground cables allow for more lenient requirements in the future.
Insulated power lines vs bare
The minimal distance will depend on the kV travelling through your powerlines. The types of conductors will also affect where you can build. Though an expert’s confirmation is needed, you can usually expect to add another 1m to any clearance when dealing with a bare line compared to an insulated line.
The good news is that insulated power lines are becoming increasingly popular and more common in new construction, especially in high-density urban areas. These insulated lines might let you build in closer proximity than traditional power lines, giving you more freedom for your plans.
Proposed building dimensions
The dimension of a proposed building near a powerline will depend on the type of structure, or even which part of the structure is under consideration.
Open areas, such as balconies, decks and walkways, require a larger clearance level than areas that don’t, such as enclosed rooms. Areas like your roof, carport or pergola can usually be closer to powerlines. Any parts of the structure that don’t provide access to people can be even closer.
Easement Regulations
Power poles, underground powerlines, stays and substations are all considered easements and are the property of the power provider
Ensuring safety during the build phase
During the building stage, contractors need to maintain their distance when using machinery and equipment and even when carrying materials.
You don’t need to touch a power line to risk an electric shock, so it’s better to be over-cautious when working around power lines.
Other regulations
Swimming Pools
Swimming pools can NEVER be built under powerlines, regardless of clearance levels. The reason for this becomes pretty obvious when you consider what a disaster it would be for a fallen power line to land in a pool.
Antennas/Television Antennas
Your aerial can’t be higher than a power line and shouldn’t be within the exclusion zone.
Irrigation pipes or systems
Whether you’ve got a water system for agricultural land or just for the lawn, you need to make sure that the projection of the water can’t hit the power lines. Water and electricity are a dangerous mix, and it’s a mistake you can’t afford to make once.
Talk to an experienced builder broker to ensure you remain compliant
When it comes to building near power lines, you can never be too careful. Not only can failure to comply result in hefty fines from your local authority, but it can also be dangerous when dealing with electricty. Buildi can help guide you through the entire building process, and ensure your build is both compliant and that you remember to take care of every step. We’ve saved clients both time and money during their build, so why not get in touch to see how we can help you?
