Yarra City Council maintains around 20,000 street trees in Yarra.

A significant part our street tree maintenance program is ensuring safe clearances from power lines, in line with the Victorian Government’s Electrical Line Clearance Regulations 2020.

The regulations outline the prescribed distance of clearance space required between trees and powerlines. In rare cases, pruning for compliance may affect a tree's overall structure and health, requiring its removal and replacement.

Our tree management efforts, stemming from the 2017 Urban Forest Strategy (PDF 4.45MB), ensure the trees – old or young, exotic or native – continue to provide environmental and social benefits to our community, while also adhering to safety regulations. 

For detailed schedules, maps, and more on our electrical clearance practices, including the Electric Line Clearance Management Plan 2023/24, visit our dedicated Trees page.

The Electrical Line Clearance Regulations are updated every five years and Council will continue to advocate with other Victorian LGA’s for decreased clearance requirements on established trees where possible.

For any questions, please contact the Yarra’s Open Space Services Team on 9205 5555 or email [email protected]