Agricultural netting and SA Power Networks infrastructure
When installing agricultural netting, it is important to consider the presence of SA Power Networks’ infrastructure on your property as you design your netting solution. Understanding how netting interacts with poles and wires will help ensure safety and ongoing access to the electricity network.
Why access to infrastructure matters
SA Power Networks requires free and unrestricted access to its poles and wires to carry out maintenance and emergency works. For example, repairs and visual inspections of assets (such as wires and poles) may be necessary after an outage to ensure it is safe to re-energise the line. These activities can occur during the day, at night, or in adverse weather conditions such as storms.
Easements and land access
SA Power Networks’ assets are covered by an easement. Depending on when the infrastructure was installed, the easement may or may not be recorded on your land title.
Agricultural netting examples
The pictures below show examples of agricultural netting in use.
Netting and network encroachment
Installing netting may result in a ‘network encroachment,’ which refers to any structure or activity that intrudes, or has the potential to intrude, within the safe clearance distances of the electricity network. While some netting may comply with the required clearance distances for structures, it is also essential to ensure that SA Power Networks has ‘free and unrestricted’ access to its infrastructure to enable safe operation and maintenance.
Working together with landowners
SA Power Networks understands the importance of agricultural netting to the industry and is committed to working collaboratively with landowners to ensure access to infrastructure is retained.
We are currently developing guidelines for agricultural netting around powerlines and welcome further engagement with landowners as these guidelines are finalised.
Thinking about installing netting?
If you are considering installing agricultural netting, please contact SA Power Networks on 13 12 61 to discuss your plans.