Update on installation of private underground electrical connections in Meander Valley

As of 30 September 2024, Meander Valley Council will no longer be approving applications for installing Private Underground Electrical Connections (PUECs) in Council Road Reservations. We understand this decision may impact your work, and we want to be clear about why this decision is necessary: it’s about keeping everyone safe.

At the heart of this change is a serious hazard that’s been on our radar for some time. The safety of our community, including tradespeople like yourselves, is our highest priority. As you know, PUECs run underground from power poles across road reservations to private properties, and the problem is that TasNetworks doesn’t map these connections. This leaves any person doing excavation work in these unmapped areas at risk of accidentally hitting live electrical lines—and that’s simply not a risk we’re willing to take with your safety or anyone else’s.

In fact, in July 2024, we approached TasNetworks, highlighting the significant safety risks associated with unmapped private underground electrical connections. So far, we haven’t had a formal response from TasNetworks. They instead informed electrical contractors like yourselves that they won’t energise new PUECs in Meander Valley moving forward. That leaves us, and you, in a tough spot.

The absence of accurate, publicly available maps showing the location of PUECs creates an unacceptable risk of accidental contact with live electrical lines. This risk not only threatens the safety of workers but also the general public. Given this potential danger to you, your employees, and anyone else unknowingly excavating near live electrical lines, we’re left with no choice but to take this precautionary measure.

We understand this decision may disrupt your usual way of doing things, and we don’t make it lightly. We want to remind you that there are alternative options available, such as private overhead connection poles or installing electrical turrets at the property boundary for underground connections. At the end of the day, we believe your safety and the safety of others working in these areas is far more important. Until we can get clear, mapped information about the location of underground lines, we can’t allow PUECs to be installed in Meander Valley Council road reservations.

Please be assured we’re not giving up on this issue—we’ll keep pushing TasNetworks to create a comprehensive and publicly available map of all electrical infrastructure so that you and others can work safely. But until that happens, we need to take this step to prevent the worst from happening here in Meander Valley. We appreciate your understanding and support, and if you have any questions or want to discuss this further, please get in touch with us. We’re here to listen and continue to advocate for your safety and wellbeing.

Thank you for all the hard work you do to keep our community powered and safe.