PWC - 14.14 AMP Vegetation Management - 28 February 2018

Attachment 14.
14
Asset Management Plan – Vegetation Management

Power and Water Corporation
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................... 3

1 Purpose ....................................................................................................................................... 5
2 Scope .......................................................................................................................................... 6
2.1. Asset Class Overview .......................................................................................................... 6
2.2. Asset Class Function ............................................................................................................ 6
2.3. Asset objectives .................................................................................................................. 7
3 Context ....................................................................................................................................... 8
3.1. Roles and Responsibilities ................................................................................................... 8
3.2. RACI ..................................................................................................................................... 9
4 Asset base ................................................................................................................................. 11
4.1. Overview ........................................................................................................................... 11
4.2. Asset types ........................................................................................................................ 11
5 Health and Criticality ................................................................................................................ 13
5.1. Vegetation Health ............................................................................................................. 13
5.2. Criticality ........................................................................................................................... 21
5.3. Network risk ...................................................................................................................... 22
5.4. Establishment of Vegetation Zones .................................................................................. 22
6 Key challenges .......................................................................................................................... 22
6.1. Environmental challenges ................................................................................................. 22
6.2. Operational challenges ..................................................................................................... 24
6.3. Asset challenges ................................................................................................................ 26
7 Performance indicators ............................................................................................................ 31
7.1. Sustainability Indicators .................................................................................................... 32
7.2. Reliability indicators.......................................................................................................... 33
7.3. Responsibility indicators ................................................................................................... 34
8 Maintenance Requirements ..................................................................................................... 34
8.1. Vegetation Zones .............................................................................................................. 36
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THIS STANDARD IS UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED PAGE 1 OF 56
8.2. Corridor Maintenance....................................................................................................... 37

8.3. Alignment with Other Maintenance Programs ................................................................ 38
8.4. Transition Plan .................................................................................................................. 39
9 Performance Monitoring and Improvement ............................................................................ 41
9.1. Monitoring and Improvement .......................................................................................... 41
10 Stakeholder Management .................................................................................................... 42
11 Appendix A – Regulated Network Overview ........................................................................ 43
12 Appendix B – Historical Vegetation Treatment Data ........................................................... 44
12.1. CBD and Urban Treatment Data ................................................................................ 45
12.2. Rural Treatment Data ................................................................................................ 46
12.3. Non-Regulated Treatment Data ................................................................................ 47
13 Appendix C – Vegetation Zones............................................................................................ 48
14 Appendix D – Vegetation Zone Feeders ............................................................................... 52
14.1. Darwin Region Feeders .............................................................................................. 52
14.2. Katherine, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek Region Feeders ................................... 53
14.3. Transmission Feeders ................................................................................................ 54
15 Appendix E - Power and Water Policies, Standards, Work Practices ................................... 55
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THIS DOCUMENT IS UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED
Executive Summary
This document articulates Power and Water Corporation’s (Power and Water)
Asset Management Plan (AMP) in relation to its management of vegetation in the proximity of
power lines within the regulated and non-regulated networks of the Northern Territory (NT). The
AMP provides the following:
• An outline of the context, objectives, risk-based approach, and strategy for managing
vegetation; and
• A summary of the subsequent programs and associated expenditure required to
achieve the above over the next five-year regulatory period.
It sets out the strategies to manage vegetation near powerlines in a manner that achieves the
key business objectives of:
• Providing safe, secure, reliable, high quality power at a minimal cost; whilst
• Meeting licence and statutory requirements, maintaining service level obligations, and
being environmentally responsible.
In assessing the quantum of investment required in relation to the above issues,
Power and Water has applied a risk based approach to establish its vegetation programs that
focus on:
• Ensuring the safety of its employees and the public;
• Maintaining statutory clearances between network assets and vegetation and
delivering duty of care requirements;
• Helping resolve any issues the public and other stakeholders may have regarding the
clearance of vegetation;
• Reducing network system damage and supply interruptions, particularly during storms;
• Minimising ongoing vegetation management costs; and
• Collecting appropriate data to facilitate ongoing analysis and optimisation of the
program, performance monitoring and reporting.
The operating and maintenance expenditure forecast centres around a balanced approach of
cyclic inspections and trimming of vegetation within the clearance zone, the removal of hazard
trees and unsuitable species and corridor maintenance to minimise the long term cost of
vegetation management.
Average annual expenditure since 2013-14 is $5.4 million however expenditure has been
reduced year on year during the period as a result of targeted problem tree removal campaigns
and a high focus on contract management.
Figure 1 shows the average expenditure by region since 2013-14. The expenditure in each region
varies based mainly on the length of the network, but is also influenced by climate and
mobilisation costs. Vegetation growth rates in the tropical regions of Darwin and Katherine are
significantly higher than found in the southern NT regions of Alice Springs and Tennant Creek.
Mobilising and maintaining vegetation crews in regions other than Darwin also materially
impacts the expenditure in these regions. This has led to significant review of
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vegetation management activities across each region to identify efficiencies, some of which have
already been implemented.
Figure 1 Average vegetation maintenance expenditure by region 2013-14 to 2016-17
Efficiency improvements implemented have clearly reduced expenditure since 2013-14. However
the impacts of these improvements on network reliability and safety are being closely monitored
to ensure Power and Water’s organisational goals are still met. Figure 2 below demonstrates the
year on year improvements, although some variability is still expected based on regional rainfall,
accessibility after wet seasons to perform maintenance of rural areas and transmission corridors,
as well as the limited market for vegetation services in the NT.
Figure 2 Regional vegetation management historical expenditure trends 2013-14 to 2016-17
Further optimisation of vegetation management is planned to be achieved through a number of

initiatives described in the AMP including:
• Development of systems to enable collection and storage of accurate maintenance
activity data, including geographical information and species classification;
• Optimisation of vegetation clearance standards in the context of vegetation type and
likelihood of causing interruptions;
• Revision of contract model based on engagement with other utilities, lessons learned
and regional opportunities and challenges;
• Trials of new technologies and treatment approaches to determine suitability to the
NT’s unique climate, species and scale.
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1 Purpose
The purpose of this Asset Management Plan (AMP) is to define Power and Water Corporation’s
(Power and Water’s) approach to managing vegetation in the proximity of both regulated and
non-regulated overhead power line assets and key power network facilities. It frames the
rationale and direction that underpins the management of these assets into the future:
• Short Term (0-2 years): Detailed maintenance and capital works plans for the
upcoming financial year based on current asset condition.
• Medium Term (2-5 years) 2019-24 Regulatory Period: Strategies and plans based on
trends in performance and health indicators.
• Long Term (5-10 years) 2024-29 Regulatory Period: Qualitative articulation of the
expected long-term outcomes.
Vegetation is managed to comply with the broad external requirements of legislation, codes and
standards. This is achieved within an internal framework of policy, strategy and plans that are
enabled through interrelated documents, systems and processes that establish the
Power Networks asset management practices. The asset management system is summarised in
Figure 3.
Figure 3: Asset Management System
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2 Scope
2.1. Asset Class Overview
This AMP covers all vegetation management work associated with overhead transmission and
distribution network assets including:
• Cyclic inspection and trimming of vegetation within the clearance zone;
• The removal of vegetation outside the clearance zone that presents an unacceptable risk
of falling over power lines (e.g. hazard trees);
• The removal of unsuitable species that increase risk to achieving reliability outcomes;
• Improvements to and maintenance of transmission and distribution line corridors;
• Systems and data required to facilitate ongoing analysis and optimisation of the
vegetation program, performance monitoring and corporate and regulatory reporting;
• Engagement with the community and councils regarding the planting of suitable species
around power lines;
• Strategies to deal with the emerging risk associated with bush fires due to the spread of
introduced species of grass such as Gamba, which are dramatically changing the intensity
and consequences of fires, particularly in the northern region.
Table 1 Overview of in-scope assets
Region Region Regulated Non-Regulated Total

Transmission Lines
All 350km 350km
(132kV)
Sub-transmission
All 359km 359km
Lines (66kV)
Alice Springs 75km 75km
Urban O/H Darwin 247km 247km
Distribution Lines (all
voltages) Katherine 35km 35km
Tennant Creek 34km 34km
Alice Springs 391km 31km 422km

Rural O/H Darwin 1,858km 0.6km 1858km
Distribution Lines (all
voltages) Katherine 943km 64km 1007km
Tennant Creek 327km 41km 368km
Note: Both urban and rural distribution lines have been combined for Non-Regulated network and reported under
Rural O/H Distribution Lines above.
Further information regarding the number, capacity, voltage, etc. of the assets above is available
in the Asset Class Management Plans.
2.2. Asset Class Function
The majority of vegetation management expenditure is associated with overhead line assets
comprising 132kV transmission lines, 66kV sub-transmission lines, 22kV and 11kV high voltage
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distribution lines, low voltage mains (400/230V), and low voltage services (400/230V) except that
low voltage services beyond two metres inside private property boundaries are not the
responsibility of Power and Water. Vegetation and fire breaks are also maintained around
substation, communication and control centre sites and other key distribution facilities to
mitigate bush fire risk and comply with NT land management acts and regulations 1. The extent
of the Power and Water overhead network is shown in Appendix A.
2.3. Asset objectives
The AMP provides a framework which steers the management of the asset class in a manner that
supports the achievement of Power and Water’s broader organisational goals. The Asset
Management strategies are listed in the Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP) and are
aligned to the Asset Management Objectives and implemented in through Asset Management
Plans (specific to asset class) or Strategic Asset Plans as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4 Asset Management Line of sight from Corporate and Network strategies through the Asset Management objective to
the targets in the asset management plan
Table 2 provides the asset management objectives from the strategies that are relevant to this
asset class along with the measures of success and the targets. This provides a ‘line of sight’
between the discrete asset targets and Power and Water corporate Key Result Areas.
Table 2: Asset Management Objectives, Measures of Success and Targets
Objectives Measures Targets

• Network related operation and maintenance tasks • Vegetation clearance breaches • Total asset class specific
are quantified in terms of risk and used to inform between cutting cycles safety incidents not
investment decisions that affect Health and Safety exceeding TBA
outcomes for the organisation
• Ensure the safety of its employees and the public.
• Engage with our customers, community and • Customer Feedback - Track complaints • Number of Complaints not
stakeholders to demonstrate that we have exceeding TBA
delivered the best possible solutions
• All environmental risks have been defined, • Total asset class specific • Total asset class specific
mitigation controls implemented and environmental incidents associated. environmental incidents
responsibility for risk ownership has been associated not exceeding
assigned to appropriate leaders TBA
• Develop Environmental Improvement Plans for
significant risks to reduce risk exposures and
tracked through a governance framework
• Develop performance indicators for intended
1
Including Bushfires Management Act and Weed Management Act
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Objectives Measures Targets

environmental outcomes.
• Ensure that the systems and processes provide • Asset class contribution to system • SAIDI to be no more than
sufficient and appropriate data and information SAIDI 10% for this asset class.
to drive optimal asset and operating solutions. • Asset class contribution to system • SAIFI to be no more than
• Reduce network system damage and supply SAIFI 10% for this asset class.
interruptions, particularly during storms. • GSL contribution per year Guaranteed • GSL contribution per year
Service Levels TBA
• Ensure that the systems and processes provide • Variance to AMP forecast CAPEX • Variance to AMP forecast
sufficient and appropriate financial data • Variance to AMP forecast OPEX CAPEX +/-10%
• Understand the financial risks associated with • Variance to AMP forecast
asset management OPEX +/-10%
• Develop systems and data that facilitate informed • Network risk index quantified (Y/N) • Achieved
risk based decisions • Health and Criticality Parameters
• Ensure that works programs optimise the balance defined (Y/N)
between cost, risk and performance
• Ensure the effective delivery of the capital
investment program
• Identify, review and manage operational and • Operator/Maintainer risk assessment • Achieved
strategic risks completed for asset class and risk
• Prioritise projects, programs and plans to achieve register updated
efficient and consistent risk mitigation.
• Achieve an appropriate balance between cost,
performance and risk consistent with regulatory
and stakeholder expectations.
• Define and communicate the level of risk
associated with the investment program
• Ensure that electricity network assets are • All staff are trained and hold • Achieved
maintained in a serviceable condition, fit for appropriate qualifications for the tasks
purpose and contributing positively to Power they undertake.
Networks business objectives. • Peer benchmarking, i.e. a
reasonableness test of underlying unit
costs (capex, opex)
• Asset class preventative maintenance
completion
3 Context
3.1. Roles and Responsibilities
Power and Water operates using an “Asset Owner / Asset Manager / Service Provider” business
model. Although there is extensive collaboration and interfacing between the roles, generally
speaking:
• The Asset Owner establishes the overall objectives for the assets;
• The Asset Manager develops the strategies and plans to achieve the objectives; and
• The Service Provider performs activities on the ground to deliver the plans.
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3.2. RACI
Section 3.1 sets out the organisational roles and responsibilities. This section sets out the
Responsibility, Accountability, Consulted, Informed (RACI) matrix for this asset class. This defines
the roles and accountabilities for each task by allocating to specific roles/personnel within
Power and Water.
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Table 3 RACI Matrix for Vegetation Management
Works Management
Vegetation Contract
Southern Delivery
Asset Quality and

Service Delivery
Asset Strategies
Group Manager
Group Manager
Exec GM Power
Network Assets
Superintendent
Chief Engineer
Field Services
Process
Vegetation
Contractor
Networks
Manager
Manager
Manager
Systems
Team
Establish vegetation maintenance standards A R C I I I C C C R
Performance and condition data analysis A I I I C I C R
Establish vegetation maintenance contracts A R C C I C C C R
Execute maintenance plans in relevant region I C I A A R R R
Provide vegetation maintenance data I A R R
Auditing and Inspection of contractor I I I A A R R
Manage asset data (data entry, verify data) A I I I I R R R
Monitor delivery of maintenance plans I A I R R R R I R R
Initial response to vegetation related faults and outages A A R I I

• Accountable (A) means the allocated person has an obligation to ensure that the task is performed appropriately
• Responsible (R) means the allocated person must ensure the task is completed
• Consulted (C) means the allocated person must be included in the process for input but do not necessarily have specific tasks to do
• Informed (I) means this person must be kept up to date with progress as it may impact other parts of their responsibilities or accountabilities.
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4 Asset base
4.1. Overview
Power and Water maintains vegetation along approximately 4618km or 61,979 spans of
regulated overhead line assets and 137km or 2,167 spans of non-regulated overhead line assets
distributed across the four regions of Alice Springs, Darwin, Katherine, and Tennant Creek. The
largest population of overhead line assets is located in the Darwin Region.
Power and Water also maintains vegetation around key facilities such as substation,
communication and control centre sites and other key distribution facilities. The details of
facilities are not broken down in detail however within this AMP. Power and Water operates
33 zone substations and 28 communications shelters and further information is provided in
relevant AMPs for these asset classes.
4.2. Asset types

Table 4 Overhead Network Length (km)
Voltage
Region Rural /
Urban 132kV 66kV LV-22kV Services Total (km)
Regulated Network
Alice Springs Rural km 32.5 366.7 23.9 423.1

(ASP) Urban km 57.2 18.2 75.4
Sub-Total -
32.5 423.9 42.1 498.5
ASP (km)
Rural km 263.5 223.6 1708.3 149.5 2344.9
Darwin (DRW)
Urban km 10.8 194.4 52.8 258.0
Sub-Total -
263.5 234.4 1902.7 202.3 2602.9
DRW (km)
Katherine Rural km 86.4 91.7 916.0 27.4 1121.5

(KTH) Urban km 25.8 8.8 34.6
Sub-Total -
86.4 91.7 941.8 36.2 1156.1
KTH (km)
Tennant Creek Rural km 321.5 5.4 326.9

(TCK) Urban km 25.9 8.1 34.0
Sub-Total -
347.4 13.5 360.9
TCK (km)
Total Regulated (km) 349.9 358.6 3615.8 294.1 4618.4
Non-Regulated Network
Alice Springs Total km 30.0 1.0 31.0
Darwin Total km 0.6 0 0.6
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Voltage
Region Rural /
Urban 132kV 66kV LV-22kV Services Total (km)
Katherine Total km 60.9 3.3 64.2
Tennant Creek Total km 40.4 0.8 41.2
Total Non-Regulated (km) 131.9 5.1 137.0
Table 5 Overhead Network Spans
Voltage
Region Span Type 132kV 66kV LV -22kV* Total Spans
Alice Springs Rural spans 223 6161 6384

(ASP) Urban spans 2772 2772
Sub-Total -
223 8933 9156
ASP (Spans)
Rural spans 620 1164 27082 28866
Darwin (DRW)
Urban spans 87 8182 8269
Sub-Total -
620 1251 35264 37135
DRW (Spans)
Katherine Rural spans 204 765 9112 10081

(KTH) Urban spans 1343 1343
Sub-Total -
204 765 10455 11424
KTH (Spans)
Tennant Creek Rural spans 3143 3143

(TCK) Urban spans 1121 1121
Sub-Total -
4264 4264
TCK (Spans)
Total Regulated Spans 824 2239 58916 61979
regulated Network
Alice Springs Total Spans 463 463
Darwin Total Spans 248 248
Katherine Total Spans 919 919
Tennant Creek Total Spans 537 537
Total Non-Regulated Spans 2167 2167
*Including services
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5 Health and Criticality

This section discusses the health, criticality and resulting network risk associated with vegetation
in the proximity of powerlines and facilities. While health and criticality are yet be quantified in a
similar way to operating assets, the same approach can be applied to prioritise vegetation
inspection, treatments and scheduling of work in a risk based context.
Risk is the product of the probability of an event occurring (determined by vegetation health or
clearance) and the consequence should it occur (determined by asset criticality). Network risk
can be reduced by maintaining or increasing clearances of vegetation from network assets and
appropriate maintenance of power line corridors together with ensuring clearance and
maintenance standards are appropriate for the critically of the asset. In some cases, asset
changes such as replacing bare conductor with insulated conductor or re-routing assets may be
appropriate to reduce the network risk associated with vegetation.
Power and Water manages network risk so it can successfully operate the network safely and
reliably at the lowest cost to the customer. The remainder of this section describes the inputs
that are being used to inform Health and Criticality, and risk, associated with
vegetation management.
5.1. Vegetation Health
Vegetation health can be measured by the likelihood of vegetation impacting on a power line or
other electricity facilities. Vegetation health can therefore be determined by assessments of:
• The results of visual inspections of vegetation intrusions into the clearance space and the
condition of power line easements;
• Climate and vegetation factors which drive vegetation density and growth rates;
• Managed or hazard trees;
• Bushfire likelihood;
• Maintenance frequency.
These assessments are discussed further in the following sections.
5.1.1. Visual Inspection
Vegetation inspections have been scheduled on a feeder basis at predetermined intervals

depending on the locality, clearances that can be practically achieved and vegetation growth
rates. Vegetation intrusions are assessed against the clearance standards shown in Appendix D.
These standards reflect the criticality of the assets as determined by voltage and conductor type
(e.g. bare or insulated). Any vegetation intruding into the clearance space or likely to intrude
into the clearance space before the next inspection cycle is scheduled for treatment either by
trimming or removal.
Where practical, clearances to be achieved at the time of treatment include a growth margin for
the relevant cycle time in addition to the standard clearances.
An analysis of the intrusions from visual inspections enables vegetation health to be determined
from the likelihood of these intrusions leading to network safety, reliability or fire initiation
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events. In particular, intrusions requiring live line skills to clear significantly increase the
likelihood of the above events occurring.
Inspection of corridors is also undertaken periodically to assess when slashing and/or mulching
treatment is necessary to address regrowth, access and bushfire risks.
5.1.2. Climate Factors
Climate is a significant driver of the types of vegetation and growth rates across the different
regions. Figure 5 shows the climate zones for Australia as published by the
Bureau of Meteorology.
Figure 5 Climate Zones based on temperature and humidity
The Northern Territory is characterised by hot humid wet summers and dry winters in the Darwin
and Katherine regions and hot dry summers and mild/cold winters for the Tennant Creek and
Alice Springs regions respectively.
Figure 4 shows the seasonal rainfall zones for Australia as published by the
Bureau of Meteorology.
Average annual rainfall varies significantly across the regions with greater than 1200mm in the
Darwin region, 650 to 1200mm in the Katherine region and less than 350mm in the Tennant
Creek and Alice Springs regions. Generally, most rainfall occurs during the period from
November to March.
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Figure 6 Seasonal Rainfall Zones for Australia
Table 9 shows the annual and wet season rainfall for the major centres for each region from
2012-13 to 2016-17.
Table 6 Rainfall for the Major Centres of Each Region from 2012-13 to 2016-17
Tennant
Year Rainfall Period Darwin Katherine Alice Springs
Creek
Annual 1453 1072 364 181

2012-13
6 months Nov to April 1383 1068 330 129
Annual 1882 814 466 252
2013-14
Annual 1396 969 484 280
2014-15
Annual 1185 974 538 311
2015-16
Annual 2549 1371 711 284
2016-17
This table shows the declining rainfall with distance inland from Darwin and that over 90% of the
annual rainfall falls during the wet season from November to April for all regions except
Alice Springs, where 70 to 90% of annual rainfall falls during the wet season. Table 6 also shows
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that annual rainfall can vary significantly from year to year so the vegetation program needs to
be adaptable to these variations in climate conditions. For example, rainfall was significantly
greater in 2016-17 for all regions except Alice Springs. This may be a major contributing factor to
the increased quantities of trimming required in 2016-17 as shown in Appendix B.
The high average temperatures and humidity and high rainfall during the wet season for the
Darwin and Katherine regions provide favourable growth conditions leading to a higher
frequency of trimming required in these regions. This is in contrast to the more arid inland
regions of Tennant Creek and Alice Springs where less frequent trimming requirements exist.
The Darwin region and to a lesser extent the Katherine region are also exposed to the risks
associated with tropical cyclones. It is therefore important in these areas to also consider
vegetation that may be outside the normal clearing zone but may present significant risks to
network damage during such weather events.
As climate change occurs, extremes in weather conditions are likely to become more frequent
and vegetation management plans need to consider these changing climatic conditions over
time.
5.1.3. Vegetation Factors
Figure 7 shows the major vegetation types in Australia. It is clear that the climate is a major
factor in the vegetation that exists across the Northern Territory from denser open forest in the
Darwin region, through woodlands to shrub land in the more arid inland areas around
Tennant Creek and Alice Springs.
Figure 7 Major Vegetation Types in Australia
In addition to the native vegetation, plantings by property holders and councils also have
significant vegetation impacts near power lines in urban areas, around rural dwellings and in
some cases from horticultural activities on farms.
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Soil conditions are another significant factor which impact vegetation characteristics in an area.
Generally, the density and size of vegetation is greatest in the hot humid wet Darwin region with
significant growth during the wet summer months. A growth rate of three metres in six months
in some species of trees is not uncommon in the Darwin region. The density and size of
vegetation and growth rates reduce as rainfall decreases and soil conditions deteriorate further
inland through the Katherine region to the arid areas from Tennant Creek to Alice Springs.
However, some significant vegetation can still be found along watercourses and in urban areas
where property owners plant and water tree and shrubs.
The change in vegetation characteristics across the Northern Territory following the wet summer
months and the dry winter months is illustrated by Figures 6 and 7 which show the
Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) published by the Bureau of Meteorology. NDVI is
an index which provides a measure of vegetation density and condition. It is influenced by the
fractional cover of the ground by vegetation, the vegetation density and the vegetation
greenness. Its value is always between -1 and +1. Vegetation NDVI in Australia typically ranges
from 0.1 up to 0.7, with higher values associated with greater density and greenness of the plant
canopy. NDVI decreases as leaves come under water stress, become diseased or die.
Figure 8 NDVI for March 2017
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Figure 9 NDVI for September 2017
The above climate and vegetation factors need to be considered when assessing vegetation
health and developing vegetation management programs.
5.1.4. Managed (Hazard) Trees
Managed or hazard trees are trees that exist outside the normal clearance space but present a
risk to falling or being blown over power lines. These risks are significant during severe weather
events that are experienced particularly in the Darwin and Katherine regions as discussed in
Section 5.1.2 above. Where the risk is considered unacceptable, the trees are either trimmed or
removed. Some trees in the NT are protected or are of significant heritage value and therefore
cannot be removed but must be managed appropriately.
There has been significant effort to remove hazard trees in recent years to reduce the risk that
these trees present. Ongoing identification and review of managed trees is required to ensure
the potential impact of these trees on electricity infrastructure is appropriately managed.
5.1.5. Bushfire
The likelihood of bushfires occurring is also an important consideration for assessing vegetation
health, particularly in relation to the maintenance of corridors and fire breaks associated with
transmission and distribution assets. Bushfires are a regular occurrence in the dry season in the
NT and Figure 10 below shows that most of the Darwin and Katherine regions have been burnt
since 2013.
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Figure 10 Fire Burn Scars 2017 Source: NAFI website
Figure 11 Potential Fire Intensity and Fire Frequency
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Figure 11 confirms this and although the intensity of fires in the NT may only be moderate, they
occur at a greater frequency (i.e. once every three to four years) than the south eastern areas of
Australia. Different regions have varied topography and fuel types with grasses being recognised
as the predominant fuel type in the NT (although there are significant areas of tropical savanna).
Fuel loadings in the northern region are between 6 –13 tonne per hectare and the
southern region between 2-4 tonne per hectare, this is due to the different flora – introduced
weeds, etc.
Darwin rural areas, Batchelor and Adelaide River have fuel loadings between 9-13 tonnes due to
the introduced grass called Gamba. Gamba grassfires are extremely volatile and fast moving and
can produce significant amounts of heat. Whilst all fires are unpredictable and dangerous, these
fires present the most challenges if a site is not adequately prepared.
Another consideration is the ability of fire authorities to respond to the location of a wildfire with
enough resources to protect the infrastructure. In some areas this is limited due to the
remoteness and the availability of vehicles and volunteers to respond.
Therefore, in assessing the likelihood of a bushfire impacting electricity infrastructure the
following factors need to be considered:
• Hazards such as fuel loading, hazard level, extent/continuity, flammability/volatility and
landscape features
• Weather – severity, duration and dynamics
• Ignition – location, timing number and distribution
Generally, the fire season starts in the Top End on the 1st of June and runs until the first week of
December, however the majority of fires happen between April – November (depending on
seasonal rain and the curing rate of the vegetation) (bad wet, early fire season - good wet, late
fire season).
Central Australian arid and semi-arid regions are generally driven by fuel loads that result from
periodic rain events. During these times continuous fuels drive huge fire fronts and significant
areas of the interior often burn. 2010-11 saw significant fires impact Central Australia. Central
Australia will burn as soon as the vegetation cures after a rain event, however the fire danger
increases in line with the arrival of hot weather (Spring, Summer and Autumn).
The fire danger transitions between regions depending on the season. Once the season tapers
off in Darwin, it moves south; e.g. Katherine, Tennant Creek, etc. It’s all driven on rainfall and
curing rates.
Generally, the Fire Danger Index can peak to 75 -100 (Extreme) in the Top End, with unusually
rare events above 100+ (Catastrophic - weather and fuel load dependant). Central Australia could
peak to 50-74 (Severe - fuel load and weather dependant). Typically, it would peak 12-31 (high).
The tall grasses such as spear grass and gamba grass occurring along power line corridors present
a significant fire initiation risk particularly to or from maintenance activities along corridors. Fires
beneath power lines may also cause interruptions to power supply.
Therefore, the corridor maintenance program is critical in mitigating the risk of bushfire initiation
from power lines or maintenance activities along power line corridors and also in reducing the
likelihood of fires causing interruptions to electricity supply.
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The maintenance of fire breaks around key facilities such as substations, communication sites
and control centres is also an essential part of the vegetation program to ensure the security of
these sites.
5.1.6. Maintenance Frequency
Maintenance frequency is essentially driven by the location of the asset such as urban versus
rural (where greater clearances and/or corridors can be established) and the climatic conditions
and vegetation growth rates discussed in section 6.1.2 above. Typically, shorter maintenance
intervals will be required in urban/semi-rural areas where clearances are limited because of
property alignments and the planting of fast growth rate species such as palms. The density of
vegetation is also generally greater in urban areas because of plantings and maintenance by
property owners. As a result, vegetation intrusions into the clearance space are more likely to
occur in urban areas. The above drive the frequency of trimming and as the number of
intrusions per kilometre are more likely to be greater in areas where limited clearances can be
practically achieved (e.g. urban areas), maintenance frequency could be used as a proxy for
vegetation health.
5.2. Criticality
Criticality is driven by the assets function and associated safety, network reliability or system
security, and environmental or financial consequences of an event.
5.2.1. Safety
Criticality from a safety perspective can be determined from the potential severity of
electric shock to workers and the public or the potential for injury or loss of life from
interruptions to supply or fire events.
5.2.2. Network Reliability
Criticality associated with network reliability is measured by consideration of the type of

customer served, typically broken down into:
• CBD, Urban and Rural for reliability metrics, and
• Residential, Industrial and Commercial for Value of Customer Reliability (VCR)
In assessing reliability, system security aspects below also need to be taken into account:
• Transmission network contingency
• Substation facility capacity
• Communications network control and protection infrastructure
5.2.3. Financial
While network reliability analysis takes into account financial loss to customers from loss of
supply, there may also be other financial impacts associated with property loss or damage, loss
of income, etc. that may need to be included in criticality analysis.
PAGE 21 OF 56
5.3. Network risk
Network risk is the combination of the health and criticality of the assets being managed. It can
be shown in either a qualitative or quantitative manner.
In terms of vegetation management, Power and Water’s proposed approach is to move to a
“zone” approach as discussed in section 6.4 which considers the health and criticality of the
assets being managed, enabling trimming and corridor maintenance activities to be targeted to
areas with the highest risk. Therefore, the health, criticality and risk analysis associated with
vegetation will be completed as part of the process of transitioning to the new vegetation zones.
5.4. Establishment of Vegetation Zones
A review of the current vegetation program was completed in August 2017. This review found
that the current feeder based approach with the same cycle times for both urban and rural areas
across much of the Territory was not the most efficient approach to vegetation management -
refer Project Power and Water 16-212 - Darwin Vegetation Management Analysis – Project dated
22 August 2017 (Review Project). The review identified a number of different vegetation zones
(VZ) with different climatic conditions, land uses and vegetation characteristics and
recommended that VZs be established for future vegetation management. Different vegetation
treatment programs which may include trimming and removals in urban areas and a combination
of trimming, removals and corridor maintenance in rural areas at cycle times appropriate for
characteristics of each VZ need to be established. Cycle times varying from 6 months to 48
months are recommended for different VZs across Power and Water’s network.
Power and Water plans to establish VZs and enable vegetation treatment programs to be
optimised for the specific characteristics of the VZ, ensuring future vegetation management is
performed as efficiently as possible.
These VZs will also be divided into smaller vegetation management zones (VMZ) for efficient
management of the vegetation program.
Details of the proposed VZs and the target cycle time for each VZ is shown in Section 9
Maintenance Requirements.
6 Key challenges
This section summarises the current and emerging challenges faced by Power and Water in
managing vegetation. The section focuses on issues that are driving expenditure and that are
unique to Power and Water’s network and environmental condition.
The challenges are broken into categories of Environmental, Operational, Asset and Asset
Management.
6.1. Environmental challenges
Table 7 summarises the four operating regions covered by the network, setting out the type of
environment, unique challenges in that environment and the implications.
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Table 7 Environmental challenges in relation to vegetation management
Region Challenges Expenditure / risk implications

Environment
• Heat related stresses and reduced
productivity resulting in increased time to
undertake maintenance and inspection tasks
• Suitably qualified and experienced resources
• Extreme temperature changes both are limited or non-existent and must be
Alice
Desert high and low brought in from Darwin or interstate. This
Springs results in higher opex costs due to travel
• Remoteness
costs and time
• Equipment and plant must be mobilised from
Darwin for even minor defects
Tennant
Desert • as above • as above
Creek
• Heat related stresses and reduced
productivity resulting in increased time to
• High rainfall and high temperature
undertake maintenance and inspection tasks
and humidity resulting in:
• Work scheduling and balancing resources to
• Limitations on access to network
complete work in the dry season where wet
and being able to work on assets
season assess is limited
during the wet season – heat and
• More frequent inspection and treatment to
rain/flooding (safety issue)
manage high growth rates
Darwin Coastal/Tropical • High vegetation growth rates
• Specific management required for some
• Vegetation Types
species (e.g. African Mahogany) and high
• Bushfire risk from tall grasses
trimming and/or removal costs for species
• Rough terrain affecting accessibility
such as palms, bamboo, Neem trees.
for slashing and mulching of
• Access constraints or specific measures
corridors.
required to address safety risks where high
bushfire risks exist.
Katherine Inland/Tropical • as above • as above
Specific areas of environmental concern are:
6.1.1. Tropical environment
Approximately 80% of Power and Waters network is located in a coastal tropical environment
that is prone to cyclones. High temperature, humidity and annual rainfall result in high
vegetation growth rates requiring more frequent inspection and treatment and reduces the
ability for Power and Water to undertake maintenance for six months of the year during the wet
season particularly in rural areas.
The impact of the environment is also lower worker productivity (discussed below) compared to
peer distribution businesses, driving an increased level of opex to maintain vegetation.
6.1.2. Vegetation Types
The fast-growing African Mahogany trees were planted throughout Darwin after Cyclone Tracey
to restore vegetation. These are now approaching the end of their life and present a significant
hazard to many of the distribution and transmission lines and requires high frequency trimming,
but are unable to be removed due to their value to the community. In 2011 during the category 1
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cyclone “Carlos” many trees were blown over into lines and the size of African Mahogany trees
presented a significant challenge to repair of the network.
2
Figure 12 Illustration of the damage caused by African Mahogany trees in the NT
Other introduced species that are prevalent in rural areas and that present challenges to
vegetation managers include Bamboo, Palms and Neem trees that require extensive root
removal to prevent regrowth and grow rapidly in the northern tropical regions. In particular,
palm trees are extensively planted throughout Darwin’s urban area and are highly valued by the
community. Only limited trimming can be performed on palms without damaging the trees,
resulting in a high cutting frequency.
6.1.3. Grasses
Both native and introduced grass species also present challenges in the rural areas and corridors,
particularly during the northern region dry season where bushfires occur in most grassed areas in
most years and are a significant hazard to maintainers accessing the network. Many grass species
in established vegetation corridors also grow higher than light vehicles after each wet season
making any travel both slow and hazardous. Where possible, extensive slashing of grasses is
avoided unless required for maintenance activities planned; however, action must eventually be
taken when fast growing shrubs and trees approach minimum clearances.
6.2. Operational challenges
Operational challenges in relation to vegetation management that pose unique challenges to

Power and Water, and drive increased expenditure are listed below.
2
Source: www.abc.net.au/news/2011-02-16/a-tree-lies-across-somerville-gardens-road-in-parap/1946610
PAGE 24 OF 56
6.2.1. Resourcing
Power and Water’s vegetation maintenance is performed by service providers. The low volume
of vegetation management work in the NT compared to the overall Australian market places
Power and Water at a significant disadvantage when exploring the market for vegetation
management service providers. This makes it harder to attract competition to the NT than
networks operating on the east coast of Australia.
The remoteness from other major centres requires a significant investment in mobilisation by
any service provider willing to enter the NT market increasing their premiums charged to provide
services. Staff turnover and recruitment and training costs also lead to higher operational costs
for service providers.
The volume of vegetation work in the remote areas of Alice Springs and Tennant Creek does not
support a permanent workforce in these areas. Therefore, plant mobilisation, travel to and
accommodation in these remote sites that can be up to 1,500 km away increases the time and
cost of undertaking vegetation maintenance. This is a unique situation to Power and Water and
is not experienced by the distribution businesses in the eastern states of Australia.
6.2.2. Operational effectiveness of field crews due to heat and humidity
Power and Water operates in hot and humid environments. The environments are not
comparable to other networks around Australia and have a significant impact on the productivity
of the field crews. To assess and quantify the impact of the climatic conditions, Power and Water
undertook a study comparing the NT to other locations across Australia 3.
Workability is the term used to describe the productivity impact of climate in both Northern and
Southern regions. It is the percentage of time for which work of different physical exertion can
be effectively undertaken. These impacts are no different between Power and Water personnel
and vegetation management contractors.
Table 8 below describes the work rates used in the study along with a description and examples.
Table 8 Work Rate Descriptions
Work rate Description Work examples
Rest Rest Lunch and Crib Breaks
Sitting with light manual hand/arm work.
Driving, work planning, briefings and toolbox
Low Driving. Standing with light arm work, occasional
meetings, inspections
walking.
Sustained moderate hand to arm work, unpacking tools, spare parts, dismantle/ replace
Moderate moderate arm and truck work. Light pushing and small electronic components, general switching
pulling. Normal walking. from ground
Intense arm and truck work, carrying, shovelling,
Climbing ladders, working in trenches and
High manual sawing, pushing and pulling heavy loads,
cabinets, remove replace larger components
walking at a fast pace.
Carrying larger tools and replacement
components, lifting, carrying up ladders, digging
Very High Very intense activity at fast to maximum pace.
trenches, hauling cables, moving cable, pillars,
poles
3
Labour Efficiency and Work Management in Hot Humid Climates, Thermal Hyperformance.
PAGE 25 OF 56
The outcome of the study is shown in Table 9with the impact on Power and Water highlighted in
orange. It demonstrates that the climatic conditions, particularly in Darwin where the majority of
Power and Water’s network is located, result in an average Workability of 65% compared to
other major cities in Australia. This would equate to a 35% escalation of labour hours compared
with the southern states for similar work and therefore an escalation of opex.
This is supported by feedback received via a heat stress survey which identified that
approximately 50% of workers report daily or weekly heat-related impacts on their productivity.
Table 9 Workability for selected Australian locations based upon moderate metabolic rate
Month
Location
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Alice Springs 94% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Adelaide 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Brisbane 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Darwin 41% 44% 45% 60% 100% 100% 100% 100% 74% 46% 34% 32%
Hobart 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Melbourne 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Perth 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Sydney 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
6.3. Asset challenges
This section identifies the current and emerging challenges in relation to Power and Water’s
vegetation maintenance activities. This section focuses on issues which need to be addressed to
effectively manage and optimise vegetation management activities in the future.
6.3.1. Systems and Data
Currently, the vegetation work plan is recorded in Power and Water’s

Enterprise Resource Planning system, Maximo. Work Orders linked to feeders are issued from
Maximo and costs are recorded against the work orders. Some information on the lengths and
widths of corridors slashed and mulched and trees removed under part B of the contract are
recorded against the work orders. Information on trimming and removals completed under part
A of the contract is currently held by the vegetation management service provider and has been
provided to Power and Water in excel spreadsheets for analysis. Power and Water has no
system to collect and hold this data permanently for future analysis and reporting.
While the GPS locations of spans inspected and scoped by the vegetation management service
provider have been recorded each inspection cycle, these GPS locations vary from cycle to cycle
and are not linked to a unique span identifier. This has created a number of issues identifying
the correct network span to link the inspections and treatments to. As part of the Review
Project, SPAN_IDs were assigned to every span in the Power and Water overhead network and
inspections were linked to these SPAN_IDs. However, spans that had been removed or relocated
(i.e. no longer exist) were not assigned a SPAN_ID so inspections previously recorded against
these spans could not be linked to a SPAN_ID or were linked to an incorrect span creating some
errors in the analysis.
PAGE 26 OF 56
The vegetation management service provider was provided with the Power and Water network
data in 2012 when the contract was established and the service provider has used this data to
record inspections and treatments. No process has been in place to update the service
provider’s network data since as network changes have occurred. This disconnection between
the service provider’s network data and the actual network has created a number of issues
around the duplication of or missing inspections and the linkage of inspections to SPAN_IDs that
were created subsequently.
In order to improve future analysis of vegetation maintenance activities to enable further
optimisation of the vegetation program, the Review Project developed a proposed data set to be
collected during future vegetation maintenance activities. From this proposed data set, Power
and Water will determine the data set it requires to be collected in future. As a minimum the
data collected will:
• enable effective management and monitoring of the vegetation program;
• provide sufficient data for future analysis to further optimise the program; and
• provide all relevant information for management and regulatory reporting.
In the interim, the data currently collected by the service provider will continue but all future
vegetation maintenance activities will need to be collected against a SPAN_ID assigned by Power
and Water to every span in the network. SPAN_ID’s will also need to be linked to VZs and VMZs
when they are created.
To address the systems and data issues identified above, Power and Water plans to:
• Develop a set of data requirements to be collected as part of future vegetation
management activities;
• Develop and implement integrated systems and/or system changes to manage the
vegetation program on a VMZ basis and record the required vegetation inspection,
treatment and expenditure data to enable future analysis and reporting requirements;
• Ensure all existing and new network spans are assigned a SPAN_ID linked to VZs and
VMZs and all future vegetation inspection and treatment activities are linked to
SPAN_IDs;
• Implement a process for the regular provision of the required vegetation inspection
and treatment data from the service provider to Power and Water to update Power
and Water records so that Power and Water can maintain the history of vegetation
management activities and enable timely management reporting;
• Implement a process to provide regular network updates to the service provider.
6.3.2. Vegetation Clearance Standards
In the absence of specific legislative requirements governing minimum clearance distances from
power lines, Power and Water has developed its own standards for minimum clearance
distances.
Power and Water has also developed a number of policies, procedures and work practices for
access to and work on the management of vegetation in the proximity of power lines in order to
ensure compliance with relevant legislation in the Northern Territory.
PAGE 27 OF 56
A list of relevant Power and Water policies, standards and work practices are shown in
Appendix E.
In addition to the minimum clearance standards and corridor clearance standards shown in
Appendix E, Power and Water also identifies and trims or removes trees outside the normal
clearance zones if they present an unacceptable risk of falling over power lines. Where
agreement can be obtained from property holders and councils, unsuitable species are also
removed.
Some changes to the current minimum clearing standards are being considered to assist with the
transition to longer cycle times and to reduce the frequency of trimming required on LV spans in
particular. The following changes are under investigation:
• LV ABC and Services – Approximately 40 to 50% of LV ABC spans are being trimmed at
intervals of less than 12 months. The current clearance space for LV ABC and Services
is 0.5 metres. Many utilities allow vegetation to touch LV ABC and Services before it
requires trimming providing the vegetation will not cause abrasion to the insulation.
Therefore, reducing the clearance for LV ABC and Services to 0 to 0.3 metres plus
regrowth allowance is likely to be possible without any significant change in risk.
• Bare LV – The current clearance distance for bare LV is 3 metres plus an allowance for
regrowth but there are currently many instances where this clearance is not being
achieved. This distance does not consider span length or location within the span. In
urban areas where span lengths are short (average about 40m) and conductor sag and
sway is much less than the longer spans found in rural areas (average about 100m), a
reduced clearance is being investigated. It is anticipated that this clearance distance
could be reduced significantly, particularly in urban areas, without any appreciable
change in risk.
• Bare HV – Clearance distances to bare HV are also being reviewed. Reduced
clearances based on span length may also provide some additional allowance for
growth in urban areas where the span lengths are similar to LV.
• Palms – A significant proportion of the trimming in urban areas is associated with
palms. Palms grow very quickly but the fronds only tend to reach a certain length
before they drop. These are currently trimmed to provide the full 3 metre clearance
distance even though the fronds are unlikely to come within the live line distance for
HV or contact the LV mains in many cases. The clearing standards associated with
palms are being reviewed to allow for reduced clearances particularly for bare LV and
insulated conductor. The clearance distance for HV may also be reduced without any
significant increase in risk.
• Some species of trees, such as palms, bamboo, and neem trees that grow quickly and
require more frequent trimming than the designated cycle time are to be identified in
the standards as unsuitable species near powerlines. Such species should then be
identified and recorded during inspections to enable a targeted removal program to be
developed.
• Vegetation related outages from trees within the normal clearance zones are not
significant. Most vegetation related outages result from vegetation outside the normal
clearing zone either falling in or being blown in during severe weather events. An
ongoing effort is therefore required to clear vegetation that is outside the normal
PAGE 28 OF 56
clearance zone but presents a risk to the continuity of electricity supply. The standards
will also include the criteria for the assessment of hazard trees outside the normal
clearance zone. This will enable a hazard tree assessment program to be incorporated
in future contracts.
6.3.3. Contracting Model
The current contract model has all work externally resourced through a single vegetation
management service provider. The contract comprises two parts as follows:
• Part A – Lump sum contract for the cyclic inspection and trimming program and
• Part B – Inspections of 132kV transmission lines and resulting trimming and removal
work, “hazard” tree trimming or removal, slashing and mulching work and any other
ad-hoc work required. This work is either performed on a schedule of rates basis or by
separate quotation.
The service provider is required to undertake his owns audits of work completed to ensure
compliance with the contract.
Power and Water’s Contracts Coordinator manages the contract for Power and Water and also
undertakes random audits to ensure the service provider is fulfilling his contractual obligations.
The current contract has been extended but tenders for a new contract are planned to be
released in 2018.
The tender for the new contract will include the previous trimming and removal history
completed under part A of the existing contract. This should enable competitive tenders to be
received with the aim of reducing future vegetation expenditure. The tender will also
incorporate the change to vegetation management zones.
Options for the contract model for the new contract include:
1. Single vs multi service provider - the size of the program in the Darwin and Katherine
regions is not large enough to support multiple service providers so a single service
provider model will be the likely outcome. However, alternate service providers used for
short duration contracts when work is required in the smaller Tennant Creek and Alice
Springs regions may be viable. Local staff in these areas may be required to perform
reactive work between inspection cycles.
2. Lump Sum Contract – this is the preferred contract type for the main trimming and
removal components of the contract. This could also apply for corridor maintenance if a
regular corridor maintenance program can be established. For the Tennant Creek and
Alice Springs regions, a lump sum contract will still be appropriate but an option for
separate quotations to be obtained each cycle after scoping is being considered because
of the variation in work volumes experienced in these regions previously.
3. Hourly Rate Contract – this type of contract is not preferred because it does not
encourage the service provider to work efficiently and exposes Power and Water to too
much risk of cost escalation. It would also require significant Power and Water resources
to manage and audit the contractor’s work.
4. Unit Rate Contract – While a unit rate contract will require more Power and Water
management than a lump sum contract, it is appropriate for some work such as the
PAGE 29 OF 56
trimming or removal of hazard trees and potentially slashing and mulching work if a
regular corridor maintenance program cannot be established. There may also be other
ad-hoc work required from time to time where unit rates would be beneficial.
5. Performance Based – This type of contract is incorporated with the lump sum contract.
Given the change to longer cycle times, it will be necessary to incorporate key
performance indicators/performance measures and guarantees in the contract to ensure
that service provider is delivering the outcomes required from the contract.
Therefore, the preferred contract model for the next contract is a performance based lump sum
contract with provision for some work to be performed under a schedule of rates where it is not
realistic for the work to be incorporated in the lump sum contract. An option to seek separate
quotations for work in the Tennant Creek and Alice Springs regions may also be incorporated in
the contract.
The contract will also require some flexibility to move the work schedule around to enable
further optimisation of the program as better information is collected or to react to abnormal
changes in vegetation because of significant variations in seasonal conditions or other significant
events such as cyclones or bushfires.
6.3.4. Cultural Heritage
Power and Water must ensure that its work activities respect artefacts and/or sites of
significance in accordance with heritage related legislation and Aboriginal Areas Protection
Authority (AAPA). Permits/clearances must be issued prior to the start of works where artefacts
and/or sites of significance exist and on aboriginal lands. These place restrictions on access and
the amount of trimming or clearing that can occur. As a result, the vegetation program must be
able to accommodate variations from the normal program where these restrictions exist and any
additional costs associated with these variations.
Records of these sites are held in Power and Water asset data systems but the records are not
complete. A process for reporting and recording any significant sites and/or artefacts including
culturally significant trees will be incorporated in future contracts to enable Power and Water
systems to be updated with all relevant information.
6.3.5. Environment and Endangered Species
Power and Water and its service providers have an obligation to comply with mandatory
legislation requirements related to vegetation management to minimise environmental impacts
when undertaking its work activities. A number of sensitive and significant vegetation
communities are located across the NT, and are generally associated with areas of high
biodiversity or significant habitat for threatened/endangered species and/or migratory birds.
These areas include but are not limited to:
• Mangroves;
• Monsoonal rainforests;
• Riparian vegetation; and
• Sand plains – usually associated with rivers and creeks.
PAGE 30 OF 56
Permits are required before work can be undertaken in such areas. As a result, the vegetation
program must be able to accommodate variations from the normal program where restrictions
exist and any additional costs associated with these restrictions.
Records of sites with sensitive and significant vegetation communities are held in Power and
Water systems but the records are not complete. A process for reporting and recording these
vegetation communities will be incorporated in future contracts to enable Power and Water
systems to be updated with all relevant information.
6.3.6. Weed Management
Weed management is becoming a more significant issue in the NT. While Power and Water
expenditure on weed management has been minor in the past, forthcoming changes to
enforcement of legislation are likely to impose increased accountabilities and costs on Power and
Water for the control of weeds along it power line corridors.
Power and Water will commence recording the types and locations of declared weeds on its
power line corridors and will develop programs to control and minimise the spread of weeds to
comply with its legislative obligations.
6.3.7. Reactive Maintenance
As cycle times for vegetation inspection and treatment are increased, it is likely that there will be
some increase in reactive maintenance costs associated with vegetation near power lines. These
costs are a useful measure of the effectiveness of the vegetation program and whether cycle
times are appropriate or need to be reviewed. Reactive maintenance costs will be separately
recorded in future and targets set to monitor reactive maintenance costs to ensure they remain
within acceptable levels.
6.3.8. New Technologies
New technologies are being used or introduced for vegetation management around the world.
Examples of these include LIDAR and tree growth regulators.
LIDAR is used for the assessment of vegetation clearances from powerlines for scoping or
auditing purposes and enables a utility to gain an overall assessment of vegetation across its
network in a very short space of time. LIDAR is now being used by many utilities throughout
Australia and costs associated with LIDAR use are reducing.
Tree growth regulator trials are in progress in Australia and may be a viable option to reduce the
rate of tree growth and hence increase cycle times and reduce vegetation management
expenditure in the future.
Power and Water will monitor progress of these technologies and investigate whether trials of
these or other new technologies that may become available are warranted to access their
viability for use in the Northern Territory.
7 Performance indicators
PAGE 31 OF 56
Vegetation is managed to ensure reliable, safe and sustainable distribution of electricity. To

achieve these objectives, performance indicators will be established based on key risks and
performance requirements. These indicators will be monitored and asset management strategies
and plans will be adjusted on a periodic basis to ensure the targets are met.
Proposed vegetation performance indicators and their current status are shown in Table 10. The
indicators chosen are aimed at ensuring that the corporation’s objectives are met.
Table 10 Vegetation Performance Indicators
Objective Description Target Actual Gap

Vegetation – Variance from Budget +1% to -
Sustainability
10%
Sustainability Reactive Maintenance Expenditure < 5% of
Vegetation
Budget
Sustainability Vegetation Maintenance Index TBD TBD
Sustainability Non-compliances with Standards TBD TBD
Sustainability Customer Satisfaction with Vegetation Program TBD TBD
Reliability SAIDI from Vegetation Interruptions
Reliability SAIFI from Vegetation Interruptions

Safety Incidents associated with vegetation and
Responsibility 0
vegetation work
Responsibility Number of Legislative non-compliances reported 0
Responsibility Number of fire starts from vegetation near power

0
lines
7.1. Sustainability Indicators
Sustainability is critical for the ongoing operations of Power and Water’s business. The
sustainability performance indicators provide a balanced view of vegetation management to
ensure that vegetation management activities are completed within budget while ensuring that
the planned program is completed without deterioration in the number of non-compliances with
standards or increases in reactive maintenance expenditure. Customer satisfaction with the way
Power and Water manages its vegetation program is also a key feedback to ensure customer’s
expectations are being met.
Figure 13 shows the vegetation maintenance expenditure breakdown from 2013-14 when the
new contract commenced to 2016-17. Direct costs associated with tree trimming have
decreased approximately 7% over this period. There was significant expenditure on hazard tree
trimming, ground clearing and corridor clearing in 2013-14 and 2014-15, but this dropped
significantly in 2015-16 and was minimal in 2016-17. As a result a backlog of work may be
increasing in these areas which could result in an increase in expenditure requirements in future
years.
PAGE 32 OF 56
Previously, there has been no formalised reporting of progress of the vegetation program against
plan. It is therefore proposed that a composite index be developed that incorporates all
components (i.e. inspections, trimming, hazard trees, ground clearance, corridor clearance) of
the vegetation program to ensure that the complete program progresses to plan and to allow
variances to be identified and remedial action taken as required.
Non-compliances with standards should also be measured to ensure that the numbers of
vegetation intrusions are being maintained within specified limits so that changes to the
vegetation program can be made if the variation becomes unacceptable. This is particularly
important as changes to vegetation program are made to introduce the vegetation zone
approach.
Customer satisfaction surveys with Power and Water’s management of vegetation work will also
provide valuable feedback to Power and Water about whether it is meeting community
expectations in this area. Therefore, it is proposed that these surveys be performed annually to
ensure appropriate action can be taken based on community feedback.
7.2. Reliability indicators
The performance of the vegetation asset class over the 10 year period from 2006-2007 is
provided in Figure 13 and Figure 14. The charts show the performance based on sustained
outages only, i.e. outages with duration greater than 1 minute, and excludes major event days
(MEDs). In particular, the following events were excluded from the analysis, in calculating the %
contribution of the asset class into NT SAIDI/SAIFI:
a) Planned outages
b) Generation-related outages
c) Outages that were internal to customer premises
d) Outages initiated in the interest of public safety
Figure 13 Contribution to SAIDI and SAIFI from Vegetation Related Outages and Maintenance Expenditure 2006-07 to 2016-17
PAGE 33 OF 56
Figure 14: Contribution to SAIDI from Vegetation Blow-in/Fall-in and Grow-in
The contribution to SAIDI and SAIFI from vegetation related outages peaked in 2011-12 prior to
the start of the current vegetation maintenance contract. It should be noted that the quality of
reporting for vegetation related outages prior to 2011-12 appears to have been poor.
Maintenance expenditure increased following the start of the current contract and significant
effort was applied to addressing hazard trees and corridor clearance in the first two years of the
contract. In addition, there have been a significant number of removals completed each year as
part of the trimming work. It is clear that this effort has significantly reduced the contribution of
vegetation outages to SAIDI and SAIFI and interruptions from grow-ins has been reduced to zero.
While grow-ins are now under control, an ongoing effort is required to maintain vegetation that
is outside the normal clearance zone but presents a risk to the continuity of electricity supply.
Again, ongoing monitoring of these performance metrics is essential to ensure that an
acceptable level of reliability relating to vegetation outages is maintained as vegetation program
changes are introduced.
7.3. Responsibility indicators
A key corporate objective is the safe operation of the network. The number of public and worker
safety related events associated with vegetation needs to be recorded so that action can be
taken as required to ensure Power and Water is meeting its obligations in this area.
Power and Water also has a responsibility to ensure it meets its legislative obligations so any
non-compliance with acts, regulations, codes or practice etc. need to be recorded so remedial
action can be taken as required.
A further responsibility of Power and Water to the community is to prevent damage to the
environment and property from fire initiated from vegetation in the proximity of powerlines.
Monitoring this performance metric will ensure that Power and Water is meeting its obligations
in this area.
8 Maintenance Requirements
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Vegetation work is currently planned and performed on a feeder basis with costs allocated
against each feeder.
The following components make up the current vegetation work plan.
• Cyclic inspection and scoping of vegetation trimming required in maintaining
clearances. The current cycle times for inspections are 6 months in the Darwin and
Katherine regions, 12 months in the Alice Springs region and 18 months in the Tennant
Creek region for both urban and rural areas.
• 132kV transmission lines are inspected separately from the above cyclic inspection
program at intervals determined by Power and Water and vegetation treatment
scheduled as required from these inspections.
• An active program to trim or remove “hazard” trees (i.e. trees outside the clearance
space but which present an unacceptable risk of falling over power lines) is also in
place.
• Slashing and mulching on transmission, sub-transmission and rural distribution line
corridors to maintain the corridors and in some cases to achieve clearances that were
not adequately established when the lines were originally constructed. Priority for
slashing and mulching has been given to the most critical lines in terms of network
security (i.e. 132kV and 66kV lines) or where feeder reliability issues have been
identified through analysis of poorly performing feeders. Very little herbicide
treatment is used for corridor maintenance. Slashing and mulching activities have only
been undertaken in the Darwin and Katherine regions.
Appendix B shows a summary of the results of the analysis for trimming and removals carried out
under Part A of the contract and for slashing and mulching work for corridor maintenance. As
volume data for the 132kV lines and “hazard” tree trimming and removal was poor, a
comparison of this data has been excluded. However, this work only represents 5 to 10% of the
total expenditure.
Some observations from the data in Appendix B are:
• There were some significant increases in unit costs for trimming and removals
particularly in the Alice Springs region and for 2015-16 in the Katherine region.
• Trimming/removal quantities for 2016-17 were generally significantly higher across all
regions compared to the previous years with unit costs lower.
• Because Part A of the contract is a lump sum contract, unit costs will vary from year to
year as trimming/removal quantities vary. However, the 2016-17 work in
Tennant Creek and Alice Springs region was not completed under lump sum contract;
rather a separate price was obtained for this work and a significant reduction in unit
costs was achieved.
• Slashing and mulching to clear corridors is undertaken either on a schedule of rates or
quoted basis. Therefore, unit costs for slashing and mulching generally do not vary
significantly. Slashing and mulching unit costs are dependent on the ratio of slashing
and mulching undertaken, the density of vegetation mulched and also on corridor
widths.
PAGE 35 OF 56
• Slashing and mulching work was significantly reduced in 2015-16 and 2016-17
compared to previous years because of budget constraints. Therefore, additional
corridor clearance work will be required in future to address growth in corridors not
cut in recent years.
8.1. Vegetation Zones
A review of the current vegetation program was completed in August 2017. This review found
that the current feeder based approach with the same cycle times for both urban and rural areas
across much of the Northern Territory was not the most efficient approach to vegetation
management - refer Project Power and Water 16-212 - Darwin Vegetation Management Analysis
– Project dated 22 August 2017 (Review Project).
This project recommended the establishment of vegetation zones based on vegetation
characteristics, climatic conditions and land use to enable a uniform management practice to be
implemented for each VZ. Each VZ can be subdivided into smaller vegetation management zones
(VMZ) to facilitate efficient management of the vegetation program. Table 11 shows the
proposed vegetation zones with a description of each and the target cycle time to transition to.
Diagrams of these vegetation zones are shown in Appendix C.
Table 11 Proposed Vegetation Zones
Vegetation Description Target Cycle

Zone Time
Number (Months)
1 Residential areas in the Darwin region with significant quantities of 6

vegetation, high growth rates and limited ability to increase clearance
distances
2 Residential areas in the Darwin and Katherine regions with less 12

vegetation/better clearances and lower quantities of more frequent
trimming required
3 Predominately Commercial/Industrial areas with lower quantities of 18

vegetation requiring less frequent trimming
4 Semi-rural areas in the Darwin region with significant quantities of 12

vegetation and restrictions on the clearances that can be achieved
5 Rural areas in the Darwin & Katherine regions with mainly native 24
vegetation and where corridors or greater clearances can be established
6 Rural areas with established corridors with minimal vegetation in the 36

corridor requiring trimming
8 Rural areas with minimal vegetation requiring trimming and lower 48

growth rates and/or with established corridors.
9 Urban areas in the dry inland regions 24
10 Sub-transmission lines in the Darwin region urban areas and also semi- 12
PAGE 36 OF 56
Vegetation Description Target Cycle

Zone Time
Number (Months)
rural/rural areas where there is no established corridor and clearances
cannot be achieved for a longer cycle time
11 Sub-transmission lines in the Darwin region rural areas with established 36

and maintained corridors
12 Sub-transmission lines in the Katherine and Alice Springs regions with 48

established and maintained corridors
13 Transmission lines with established and maintained corridors 36
A list of feeders which fall into each of the above VZs is shown in Appendix D. Some feeders span
multiple VZs and are listed separately with the VZs the feeder is to be divided into.
An increase in clearances on spans that have required more frequent trimming will be required
to achieve these target cycle times. A change to clearance standards particularly around low
voltage lines as discussed in Section 7.3.2.2 should also help to achieve these increased cycle
times. It is recognised however, that these target cycle times will not be achieved on all spans as
clearances cannot be increased in some cases. These spans will be identified and scheduled for
mid-cycle inspection and treatment if required.
8.2. Corridor Maintenance
Power and Water has undertaken extensive slashing and mulching activities on its transmission,
sub-transmission and rural distribution line corridors to maintain the corridors and in some cases
to achieve clearances that were not adequately established when the lines were originally
constructed. Priority for slashing and mulching has been given to the most critical lines in terms
of network security (i.e. 132kV and 66kV lines) or where feeder reliability issues have been
identified through analysis of poorly performing feeders. A budget for this work has not been
previously defined; rather work has been prioritised based on the available funding. This has
resulted in a significant reduction in corridor maintenance in 2015-16 and 2016-17 compared to
previous years. Therefore, additional corridor clearance work will be required in future to
address growth in corridors not cut in recent years.
The review of the current vegetation program completed in August 2017 found that minimal
trimming was required where corridors have been maintained by slashing or mulching at a width
of 12 metres or more. Narrower corridors have required more trimming from vegetation
intrusions from the edge of the corridor.
The review of the vegetation program also found that it was difficult to determine optimum cycle
times for corridor maintenance from historical data but, based on line criticality, vegetation
growth rates in the area and previous corridor maintenance activities completed over the review
period, Table 12 shows cycle times that may be appropriate for a future slashing and mulching
program. Cycle times on some individual feeders may vary from those proposed. Regardless of
these proposed cycle times, all corridor maintenance should only be undertaken when justified
by the conditions.
PAGE 37 OF 56
Table 12 Proposed Cycle Times for Corridor Maintenance
Proposed Cycle Time

Region Line Type
(Months)
Darwin-Katherine Transmission Lines 12 to 24
Darwin Sub-transmission lines 12 to 24
Darwin Distribution lines 24 to 36
Katherine Sub-transmission lines 36 to 48
Katherine Distribution lines 36 to 48
Power and Water will develop a program and funding requirements for future corridor
maintenance across its network.
Herbicide use has been limited for the control of regrowth on power line corridors. Reasons for
the limited use of herbicides are:
• Possible contamination of the shallow water tables;
• Contamination of rural properties used for agricultural purposes such as livestock
production;
• Application of herbicide is best during the wet season when plants are actively
growing but there is limited access along many corridors;
• Fires are a regular occurrence during the dry season and the fire destroys the
herbicide treatment and trees reshoot from the bottom.
• Tall spear grass and gamba grass cover many corridors making access along the
corridor for maintenance activities extremely difficult and present a significant fire
risk.
For the above reasons, slashing and mulching has been found to be the most effective method
for maintaining corridors as it controls both the tall grasses and regrowth.
Nevertheless, herbicide treatment may be a more cost effective long term method of controlling
regrowth on some corridors or parts of corridors. Power and Water will investigate whether
there are viable locations and applications for herbicide treatment and conduct some trials if
suitable locations are identified.
8.3. Alignment with Other Maintenance Programs
Aligning the vegetation program with other maintenance programs has not been pursued
because of the frequent inspection intervals for vegetation and the specific skills and equipment
required for vegetation work.
However, as cycle times are increased particularly in rural areas, the identification of vegetation
that is intruding or may intrude into the clearance space before the next inspection cycle may be
possible through other asset inspection programs if these inspections can be offset from the
vegetation inspection cycles. This would assist in providing assurance that the new cycle times
for vegetation inspection are suitable or whether some intermediate treatment at specific
locations is required.
PAGE 38 OF 56
Power and Water will investigate the possibility of incorporating the identification of
non-conforming vegetation within other inspection programs and consider implementing
changes where feasible and economical.
In some cases, electricity supply outages are required for access to trim vegetation or remove
unsuitable or hazard trees. Consideration needs to be given coordinating this work with outages
for other asset maintenance activities where possible.
8.4. Transition Plan
It will not be possible to implement all of the cycle time changes recommended in this report
immediately as additional work will be required in future treatment cycles to increase clearances
where required to allow for the additional regrowth. This will require additional funding in the
short term so implementation of the VMZ changes can only occur as funding becomes available.
Data and system changes are also required to support the new VMZ’s and any additional data
collection required.
In addition to implementation of the vegetation zone approach for vegetation management
discussed above, the review project also made a number of recommendations regarding
vegetation treatment standards, systems and data, performance monitoring, contract models,
work processes etc. and proposed a transition plan to implement the recommended changes.
A preliminary implementation plan below has been developed but needs to be confirmed when
further work is completed on the plan for the VMZ and cycle time changes and the systems
changes. The plan is divided into three time periods to align with the regulatory periods.
Activities proposed to be undertaken in each time period are:
PAGE 39 OF 56
2017-2019
• Revise the vegetation treatment standards.

• Determine appropriate VMZs for future management of the vegetation work program,
develop a plan to transition to the new VMZs and new inspection and treatment cycle
times and commence the transition. This will include increasing clearances where
possible to enable the new cycle times to be implemented. The transition plan will be
subject to available funding, estimated costs to transition and contractor resourcing.
• Scope some typical feeders/VMZ’s to determine the quantity of work
(trims/removals/slashing/mulching) and additional funding required to achieve target
cycle times.
• Determine spans where clearances cannot be achieved for the new cycle times and
schedule these for mid-cycle inspection in the work plan.
• Assign SPAN_IDs to every span in the network and link these to the VMZ’s and
Feeder_IDs. Circuit_IDs for every circuit in a span should also be linked to SPAN_IDs.
• Provide an updated network diagram with SPAN_IDs assigned to the contractor and
implement a process for regular network updates to and from the contractor.
• Develop KPIs/performance measures for monitoring and reporting of the vegetation
program progress and contractor performance.
• Determine future data capture requirements and the system changes necessary to
implement the new vegetation strategy, standards and reporting requirements and
implement a process with the vegetation contractor for the capture of this information
on a regular basis. The data collected also needs to facilitate all management and
regulatory reporting requirements in addition to KPI/performance reporting.
• Develop and implement the necessary systems and system changes to support the
above data capture and reporting requirements.
• Deploy the revised standards, transition plan to the new VMZs and cycle times and the
new data capture requirements to Power and Water staff and contractors.
• Determine the appropriate contract model for future vegetation contracts and call
tenders for new contract(s) based on the new vegetation program. Tenders should
contain sufficient historical information to enable competitive tenders to be received.
• Review and update Power and Water’s process/procedure/work instruction
documents relating to vegetation management where required.
• Commence recording the locations and extent of declared weeds on power line
corridors.
• Develop a Stakeholder engagement plan including the potential for legislative changes
to improve flexibility and accessibility, confirm the benefits from the revised
vegetation strategy are being realised and address any specific stakeholder vegetation
issues identified.
• Ensure the regulatory submission seeks funding for the planned vegetation program.
PAGE 40 OF 56
2019-2024
• Review the vegetation work program to align with the funding available from the
regulatory determination and Power and Water’s customer engagement program
feedback and risk appetite.
• Complete the transition to the new work program incorporating the new VMZs and
cycle times.
• Develop a program for the management of hazard trees identified during the routine
inspection program.
• Investigate a suitable location and commence a herbicide trial or trials to assess the
viability of expanding herbicide treatment for the maintenance of power line corridors.
• Develop a program to control and minimise the spread of declared weeds on power
line corridors as required to comply with legislative requirements.
• Review the vegetation program as inspection and treatment data becomes available or
conditions change and make any required changes to further optimise the program.
• Prepare for the next Regulatory Submission.
2024-2029
• Continue with review and continual improvement of the vegetation program
9 Performance Monitoring and Improvement

Ongoing condition and performance monitoring is a key part of Power and Water’s performance
evaluation and improvement strategy. Study of the condition and performance data captured
over time assists in developing valuable insights on vegetation condition and maintenance
performance. These insights provide for informed decision making on whether the vegetation
program and contracts are effectively and efficiently delivering the required outcomes or
whether changes to the program are required.
Goals and targets against which progress towards the revised vegetation management program
can be measured need to be set to ensure the desired outcomes are being achieved. This may
require goals and targets to be set in addition to the performance indicators included in section
8. A set of standardised reports will need to be developed to monitor contractor performance
and progress to plan/budget.
9.1. Monitoring and Improvement
This Asset Management Plan will be reviewed at least every two years or when there is a
significant driver from the network or other events that requires revision.
Improving data resources, undertaking data analysis and deriving insights will be undertaken as
business as usual activities. Any improvements in analysis of vegetation performance will be
included in this AMP when it is updated.
The RACI Matrix (Table 5) in section 4.2 allocates the responsibility for the task of updating the
AMP including performance monitoring and strategy revision.
PAGE 41 OF 56
10 Stakeholder Management
Stakeholder management is a key activity for the ongoing success of the vegetation program.
Key stakeholders and their relationship with the vegetation program are shown in Table 13.
Table 13 Key Vegetation Stakeholders
Stakeholder Relationship
NT Government Legislation, SCI, Community Issues
NT Safety Regulator Safety Incidents, Clearance Standards, Work Practices
Australian Energy Regulator Regulatory Determination
Power and Water Board Governance Matters associated with Vegetation Program, Community
Issues
Customers/Community Public education programs, Unsuitable species near power lines, Planting
programs, Trimming/removals on private property, Clearing Standards,
Work Practices
Councils Public education programs, Unsuitable species near power lines, Planting
programs, Trimming/removals on council property, Clearing Standards,
Work Practices
Aboriginal Groups Access to aboriginal lands, sacred/significant sites
Unions Standards, Work Practices, Safety Issues
Power and Water Staff Community Liaison, Standards, Work Practices, Work Plans, Safety Issues,
Access approvals, Reporting, Network Change Updates; Auditing
Vegetation Management Standards, Work Practices, Work Plans, Safety Issues, Access approvals,
Contractor Progress reporting, Records management, Customer liaison/approvals
A plan for engaging the key stakeholders in their area of interest will be outworked through the
relevant groups within Power and Water.
A couple of specific stakeholder issues that needs to be addressed are:
• The implementation of the new vegetation zone approach to vegetation management
and the changes to clearing profiles required to achieve this and
• The removal of unsuitable species near power lines.
It is acknowledged that vegetation works have the potential to affect Power and Water’s
customers in both a positive and negative way.
Power and Water is committed to a high level of customer satisfaction and will implement an
external customer satisfaction survey process to monitor customer perception of the vegetation
program. This program will be undertaken on a quarterly basis. Benchmark targets will be
established and the results published internally. These results will be an essential KPI for both
internal vegetation management personnel and contractors.
PAGE 42 OF 56
11 Appendix A – Regulated Network Overview
PAGE 43 OF 56
12 Appendix B – Historical Vegetation Treatment Data

In the tables below, a span treated more than once in any financial year has only been counted
once for the number of spans treated in the year.
Costs for the removal of hazard trees and some ground clearance work have not been included
below as quantities have not been recorded accurately.
Transmission and sub-transmission lines have been included in the tables below based on the
predominant area through which they pass (i.e. Urban or Rural which includes in established
corridors near urban areas)
Inspection and audit costs have been included with trimming costs.
PAGE 44 OF 56
12.1. CBD and Urban Treatment Data
Region Description 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17
Spans Treated (Part A) 1750 1563 2017 2542

Trims (Part A) 5472 4240 6792 8769
Removals (Part A) 1 368 134 269
Total Cost $ 1,000,519 $ 784,068 $ 885,631 $ 841,056
Unit Cost / Span Treated $ 571.73 $ 501.64 $ 439.08 $ 330.86
Darwin
Unit Cost/Trim-Removal $ 182.81 $ 170.15 $ 127.87 $ 93.06
km's Slashed/Mulched 1.8 0 0 9.55

Total Cost $ 566 $ - $ - $ 6,320
Unit Cost/km $ 314.55 $ 661.73
Spans Treated (Part A) 350 140 310
Trims (Part A) 913 196 708
Removals (Part A) 0 0 0
Total Cost $ 20,049.32 $ 153,071 $ 91,876 $ 90,564
Unit Cost / Span Treated $ 437.35 $ 656.26 $ 292.14
Katherine
Unit Cost/Trim-Removal $ 167.66 $ 468.75 $ 127.92
km's Slashed/Mulched
Total Cost
Unit Cost/km
Trims (Part A) 240 0 393
Tennant Removals (Part A) 0 0 24
Creek Total Cost $ 37,539.86 $ 5,338 $ - $ 33,467
Unit Cost / Span Treated $ 41.06 $ 192.34
Unit Cost/Trim-Removal $ 22.24 $ 80.26
Trims (Part A) 1055 290 443 1747
Alice Removals (Part A) 0 0 0 0
Springs Total Cost $ 151,880 $ 104,753 $ 91,054 $ 143,571
PAGE 45 OF 56
12.2. Rural Treatment Data

Trims (Part A) 18603 10662 14320 21392
Removals (Part A) 900 3751 5283 6040
Total Cost $ 2,466,271 $ 2,265,882 $ 2,377,438 $ 2,222,900
Darwin
km's Slashed/Mulched 583.5 561.7 178 132.7

Total Cost $ 482,312 $ 632,729 $ 167,494 $ 115,329
Unit Cost/km $ 826.58 $ 1,126.45 $ 940.98 $ 869.09
Trims (Part A) 5259 2019 3492
Removals (Part A) 0 53 37
Total Cost $ 225,251.73 $ 574,006 $ 487,798 $ 472,097
Unit Cost / Span Treated $ 372.97 $ 594.15 $ 427.24
Katherine
Unit Cost/Trim-Removal $ 109.15 $ 235.42 $ 133.78
km's Slashed/Mulched 338 491 298 0

Total Cost $ 284,630 $ 357,573 $ 268,625 $ -
Unit Cost/km $ 842.85 $ 728.55 $ 901.43
Trims (Part A) 247 0 707
Tennant Removals (Part A) 0 0 699
Creek Total Cost $ 58,472.18 $ 53,971 $ - $ 60,435
Unit Cost / Span Treated $ 380.08 $ 223.83
Unit Cost/Trim-Removal $ 218.51 $ 42.98
Trims (Part A) 1963 534 670 1945
Springs Total Cost $ 477,359 $ 352,140 $ 391,712 $ 279,646
Unit Cost / Span Treated $ 662.08 $ 1,201.84 $ 1,135.40 $ 252.16
PAGE 46 OF 56
12.3. Non-Regulated Treatment Data

Trims (Part A) 282 209 245
Removals (Part A) 0 0
Katherine
Total Cost $ 17,095.33 $ 65,681 $ 136,044
Unit Cost / Span Treated $ 721.77 $ 1,528.58 $ -
Unit Cost/Trim-Removal $ 232.91 $ 650.93 $ -
Spans Treated (Part A) 93 100
Trims (Part A) 0 191 0 256
Tennant Removals (Part A) 0 0 0 382
Creek Total Cost $ 9,916.57 $ 37,957
Unit Cost / Span Treated $ 408.14 $ -
Unit Cost/Trim-Removal $ 198.73 $ -
Spans Treated (Part A) 38 33
Trims (Part A) 81 0 0 102
Springs Total Cost $ 6,428 $ 32,027
Unit Cost / Span Treated $ 169.17 $ -
Unit Cost/Trim-Removal $ 79.36 $ -
PAGE 47 OF 56
13 Appendix C – Vegetation Zones

The following diagrams show the vegetation zones in each region.
PAGE 48 OF 56
Figure C.1 – Darwin and Katherine Regions Vegetation Zones
PAGE 49 OF 56
Figure C.2 – Tennant Creek Region Vegetation Zones
PAGE 50 OF 56
Figure C.3 – Alice Springs Region Vegetation Zones
PAGE 51 OF 56
14 Appendix D – Vegetation Zone Feeders

14.1. Darwin Region Feeders
VEG ZONE 1 VEG ZONE 2 VEG ZONE 3 VEG ZONE 4 VEG ZONE 5 VEG ZONE 6 VEG ZONE 1 & 5
11DA07 DA-WS 11AR03 MARLOW 11AR12 FAIRWAY WATERS 11CP4306 WAGAIT 22BA01 MINE 11CP4307 BELYUEN 22BA04 TOWN
11DA17 DA-ML 11AR13 BONSON 11BE01 LEANYER 22SY02 MCMINNS 22HD402 LAMBELLS 22WD101 JENKINS 22MT06 LAKE BENNETT
11DA19 GARDENS 11BE16 ANULA 11BE03 TDZ 22SY03 VIRGINIA 22HD403 MIDDLE POINT 22WD102 WICKHAM
11WN01 BAGOT 11CA02 CAS SQUARE 2 11BE06 KARAMA 1 22SY06 WHITEWOOD 22MK103 CORROBOREE 22WD103 BLAYDIN POINT VEG ZONE 2 & 3
11WN02 FANNIE BAY 11CA03 BRADSHAW 11BE09 JAIL 22SY11 HERBERT 22MK303 MARRAKAI 11BE04 MCMILLANS
11WN04 BULLOCKY POINT 11CA07 JINGILI 11BE13 KORMILDA 22MR103 MT BUNDY
11WN13 GOYDER 11CA08 NTHLAKES 11BE14 ROBERTSON 22MR303 TOMS GULLY VEG ZONE 4 & 5
11WN22 LUDMILLA 11CA10 MILLNER 11BE18 PORT 22MT04 COOMALIE 22PA202 HOWARD SPRINGS
11WN24 PARAP 11CA12 MARRARA 11BE19 HIDDEN VALLEY 22MT07 ACACIA
11CA16 NAKARA 11LE03 LYONS 1 22SY12 NOONAMAH VEG ZONE 2, 5 & 6
11CA23 MOIL 11LE08 PARKSIDE 22SY13 MCMINNS PUMPS 22SY04 DUNDEE
11DA27 STUART PARK 11PA23 GEORGINA 22SY15 DARWIN RIVER
11FB06 FB-MS 1 11PA25 PINELANDS
11FB08 MOORING BASIN 11WH02 BLESSER CREEK
11FB10 CAREY ST 11WH03 CATALINA
11FB16 FB-WS 11WN03 MARRANGA
11PA10 DRIVER 11WN11 BISHOP
11WN12 WINNELLIE
11WN23 COONAWARRA
PAGE 52 OF 56
14.2. Katherine, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek Region Feeders
VEG ZONE 2 VEG ZONE 5 VEG ZONE 8 VEG ZONE 9 VEG ZONE 9 VEG ZONE 2 & 5
22KA07 KATH EAST 22KA03 FLORINA 22PC306 MOLINE BORROLOOLA 1 11LG13 ELDER 22KA10 MATARANKA 1
22KA22 KATHERINE 22KA06 TINDAL 2 22TC202 FEEDER 2 BORROLOOLA 2 11LG15 LARAPINTA 22KA15 OPS
22KA09 PINE CREEK 22TC602 FEEDER 6 DALY WATERS 11LG16 BRAITLING 22KA19 TINDAL 1
22KA18 GORGE ELLIOTT 3 TIMBER CREEK 1 11LG21 STOKES
11RG02 GOLF 22TC302 FEEDER 3 11RG01 GAP
11RG06 SADADEEN 22TC402 FEEDER 4 11RG08 CBD VEG ZONE 2 & 8
22BR102 BOREFIELDS 22TC502 FEEDER 5 11RG19 NTH STUART HWY 22PC308 TOWNSHIP
22BR103 BR-SD 2 ELLIOTT 1 11RG20 WILLS
22LG29 JINDALEE ELLIOTT 2 11RG21 GILLEN
KINGS CANYON 2 11LG06 BRADSHAW 22RG05 LOVEGROVE 2 VEG ZONE 8 & 9
TI TREE 2 11LG07 ARALUEN 22RG10 LOVEGROVE 1 22BR101 BR-SD 1
11LG10 GHAN RD TI TREE 1 22RG09 FARMS
22RG13 BREWER 1
PAGE 53 OF 56
14.3. Transmission Feeders
VEG ZONE 10 VEG ZONE 11 VEG ZONE 12 VEG ZONE 13 VEG ZONE 10 & 11
66 PA-SY 66 AR-WD 1 66 LG-OS 1 132 CI-HC A 66 CP-DA
66 WN-CA 66 AR-WD 2 66 LG-OS 2 132 CI-HC B 66 HC-DA
66 WN-CZ 2 66 AR-WN 66 PC-PK 132 CI-MT 66 LE-CA
66 WN-DA 66 BE-HC 1 66PC301 COSMO HOWLEY 132 MT-BA-PK 66 MR-SY
66 WN-FB 66 BE-HC 2 132 PK-KA
66 BE-LE
66 HC-AR
66 HC-PA
66 HC-WN 1
66 HC-WN 2
66 WD-SY
PAGE 54 OF 56
15 Appendix E - Power and Water Policies, Standards and

Work Practices
The following is a list of Power and Water’s current policies, standards, procedures and work
instructions.
Network Policy NP013 - Management of Vegetation Near Overhead Powerlines Policy
Note: Network Policy NP013 was prepared in 2002 but was never been formally approved. This
document needs to be revised to reflect current or updated policy requirements of Power and
Water.
Network Policy NP021 – Easement Guidelines
Power Networks Procedure 15 - Management of Vegetation Near Overhead Powerlines
Power Networks Procedure 14 - Land Management
Power Networks Procedure - Power Networks Electrical Authorisations
Power Networks Work Practice Standard WPS044 - Fire Management
Power Networks Work Practice Standard WPS046 - Vegetation Management
Power Networks Work Practice Standard WPS054 – Heritage
Minimum Vegetation Clearance Standards – Network Policy NP013 includes a section on
clearances. However, this section is not consistent with the minimum clearing standards
included in Power and Water contract for vegetation management. The current contract
includes the minimum clearing standards shown in Table E.1 below.
Table E.1 – Minimum Clearance Distances of Vegetation from Overhead Power Lines and Poles for All Conductors in All
Directions
Type of Powerline Current Clearances in Use in Comments

Power and Water Contracts
Insulated Low Voltage 0.5m
(Services and ABC)
415V 3.0m
11kV, 22kV 3.0m No overhanging branches
66kV 4.0m No overhanging branches
132kV 6.0m No overhanging branches
High Voltage Aerial Bundled 1.0m
Cable
The current standard for corridor clearance is shown in Figure E.1.
PAGE 55 OF 56
Figure E.1 - Power and Water Standard Drawing for Route Clearance
PAGE 56 OF 56

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Attachment 14.

Asset Management Plan – Vegetation Management

Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................... 3

8.2. Corridor Maintenance....................................................................................................... 37

Figure 1 Average vegetation maintenance expenditure by region 2013-14 to 2016-17

Figure 2 Regional vegetation management historical expenditure trends 2013-14 to 2016-17

Further optimisation of vegetation management is planned to be achieved through a number of

Figure 3: Asset Management System

Region Region Regulated Non-Regulated Total

Tennant Creek 34km 34km

Alice Springs 391km 31km 422km

Tennant Creek 327km 41km 368km

2.2. Asset Class Function

2.3. Asset objectives

Objectives Measures Targets

Objectives Measures Targets

Table 3 RACI Matrix for Vegetation Management

Asset Quality and

Performance and condition data analysis A I I I C I C R

Establish vegetation maintenance contracts A R C C I C C C R

Execute maintenance plans in relevant region I C I A A R R R

Provide vegetation maintenance data I A R R

Auditing and Inspection of contractor I I I A A R R

Manage asset data (data entry, verify data) A I I I I R R R

Monitor delivery of maintenance plans I A I R R R R I R R

Initial response to vegetation related faults and outages A A R I I

4.2. Asset types

Alice Springs Rural km 32.5 366.7 23.9 423.1

Katherine Rural km 86.4 91.7 916.0 27.4 1121.5

Tennant Creek Rural km 321.5 5.4 326.9

Alice Springs Total km 30.0 1.0 31.0

Darwin Total km 0.6 0 0.6

Katherine Total km 60.9 3.3 64.2

Tennant Creek Total km 40.4 0.8 41.2

Total Non-Regulated (km) 131.9 5.1 137.0

Table 5 Overhead Network Spans

Alice Springs Rural spans 223 6161 6384

Katherine Rural spans 204 765 9112 10081

Tennant Creek Rural spans 3143 3143

Alice Springs Total Spans 463 463

Darwin Total Spans 248 248

Katherine Total Spans 919 919

Tennant Creek Total Spans 537 537

Total Non-Regulated Spans 2167 2167

5 Health and Criticality

5.1. Vegetation Health

5.1.1. Visual Inspection

Vegetation inspections have been scheduled on a feeder basis at predetermined intervals

5.1.2. Climate Factors

Figure 5 Climate Zones based on temperature and humidity

Figure 6 Seasonal Rainfall Zones for Australia

Annual 1453 1072 364 181

5.1.3. Vegetation Factors

Figure 7 Major Vegetation Types in Australia

Figure 8 NDVI for March 2017

Figure 9 NDVI for September 2017

5.1.4. Managed (Hazard) Trees

Figure 10 Fire Burn Scars 2017 Source: NAFI website

Figure 11 Potential Fire Intensity and Fire Frequency

5.1.6. Maintenance Frequency