TREES FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT HAPPENS IF I’M A TREE OWNER?
A representative from Unison Contracting Services’ trees team will carry out a site assessment and issue a notice if necessary. There may be opportunity at this point for the representative to call on you to discuss the notice and what work is required.

WHAT MUST I DO IF I RECEIVE A FIRST CUT OR TRIM NOTICE?
Complete and sign the First Cut or Trim Notice to be entitled to your free first cut or trim (conditions apply). Failure to grant access could void this entitlement.

IF I’M NOT HOME?
A First Cut and Trim Notice and a copy will be left with you to complete. Sign both forms, keep one and return the copy to Unison via the pre paid envelope supplied.

AND THEN?
Once a signed copy of the notice has been received, Unison will schedule your tree to be cut by Unison’s contractor.

IF I IGNORE THE NOTICE?
You may miss out on a free cut or trim and may be charged for any work needed to clear the trees from the power lines.

Under the Regulations Unison must remove any immediate danger posed by trees near power lines where there is a serious hazard to persons or property. You may be liable for the costs of this work if you have been notified of the danger created by the tree or have failed to comply with terms of a notice.

Refer to Regulation 14, Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations 2003.

Doing nothing does not remove your responsibilities!

WHAT MUST I DO IF I RECEIVE A CUT OR TRIM NOTICE?
Arrange for the trees to be cut by a Unison approved contractor within the time period specified on the notice, usually 45 working days.

The tree must be trimmed so that the tree does not encroach the Notice Zone. You may instruct the approved contractor to trim the trees to a distance of 4 metres from the powerlines. Subsequent trimming may then be carried out by you or a contractor of your choice, provided the trees have not grown back any closer than 4 metres.

Unison must be advised when cutting is to be carried out. The tree owner or the approved contractor must provide Unison with at least 3 working days’ notice of the time and location that the cutting or trimming is to take place.

NEW REGULATIONS PROVIDE FOR HEAVY FINES
A tree owner who has been given a Cut or Trim Notice and fails to cut or trim the tree so that it does not encroach the Notice Zone, or fails to advise Unison of the time and location of cutting or trimming of the tree, may be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 and if the offence is a continuing one, a further fine not exceeding $500 for every day that the offence continues.

No proceedings may be taken if the tree owner has applied for a dispensation from Unison or where a dispute with respect to the tree concerned has been referred to an arbitrator.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR CUTTING
Responsibility for cutting or trimming and the associated costs may depend on the circumstances of some cases, but generally after the free first cut or trim the ongoing responsibility will lie with the tree owner.

WHAT MUST I DO IF I AM A SHELTER BELT OWNER?
If you have a shelter belt on your property, continue to trim as you have in the past. Make arrangements with Unison or other approved contractors to cut or trim the shelterbelt to ensure that the trees do not encroach the Notice Zone.

Note: The free first cut and trim may not apply due to past agreements under the Shelterbelt Code of Practice.

The Electricity Regulations  |  Who Owns the Power Lines?  | Danger of Trees Near Power Lines  |  Growth Limit and Notice Zones  |  Cut or Trim Notices  |  First Cut or Trim Notices  |  No Interest Notice  |  Trees FAQs