The Andrews Labor Government is taking action to improve Victoria’s powerline safety standards and better protect Victorians from bushfires caused by powerline faults.
The Electricity Safety Amendment (Bushfire Mitigation Civil Penalties Scheme) Bill 2017, introduced into Parliament today, includes a strong civil penalties compliance regime to ensure powerline bushfire safety standards are met – and that they’re met in reasonable timeframes.
This Bill proposes changes to the Electricity Safety Act 1998 to ensure that distribution businesses deliver enhanced network safety technologies on time, and to appropriate standards, or face tough financial penalties.
Two of the most devastating 2009 Black Saturday bushfires were caused by electricity assets – these two fires alone resulted in the loss of 159 lives, 2,000 homes and property worth more than $4.4 billion.
In this week commemorating the tragic 2009 Black Saturday bushfire, this legislation puts the safety of regional and rural Victorians front and centre to help secure Victoria’s energy supply and ensure community safety.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio
“We are delivering the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission’s recommendations to reduce the risk of powerline-caused bushfires into the future.”
“What happened on Black Saturday cannot happen again – that’s why we are improving powerline safety measures and toughening the sanctions for companies that don’t comply with our standards.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020