Transmission easements are a corridor of land, or ‘right of way’, for existing or future lines. They allow us to access transmission lines for maintenance and repairs as well as other safety measures.
Other organisations and authorities also have easements for drainage, sewerage, pipelines, and overhead and underground powerlines.
Transmission lines are the wires suspended from the towers that carry electricity, they are also known as conductors.
These conductors may move many metres both horizontally and vertically due to wind, temperature and electrical load.
This movement is normal and forms the basis on which easement widths and use conditions are decided.
We don’t usually own the land within an easement, but the easement will usually provide us with rights to install and maintain electricity transmission infrastructure and undertake incidental and related activities. An easement is usually a right against or on the land which endures through any sale or transfer of land ownership.
Landholders can continue using their land within a transmission easement, but some activities may be restricted to help keep everyone safe and protect the community’s electricity supply.
Electricity safety legislation, including the Electricity Safety (General) Regulations 2019 specify clearances that, subject to approvals, need to be maintained from electricity lines, depending on voltages, the nature of the activity and other relevant factors. Easement terms may also include obligations regarding certain activities (which may be general or specific in nature).
A landowner remains the owner of the land that is the subject of an easement and is responsible for the general maintenance and management of the area covered by the easement.
If land with an easement is leased to another occupier (such as a tenant) by the landowner, that occupier is responsible for general maintenance and management of the area as set out in any legal agreement with the owner of the land.
In each case, it will be subject to the specific terms of the easement and any other applicable agreements.
For example, some properties have access roads and tracks specifically to build and maintain transmission lines.
Generally, we have the right to use these tracks to access transmission lines and towers and may undertake basic maintenance on them so they can be used by our vehicles and equipment. A landholder will generally need to cover the cost if you need these tracks maintained at a higher standard.
For information about activities that are permitted or restricted in the vicinity of electricity transmission towers and lines and any related conditions please visit our Permitted and prohibited activities webpage.
The terms of an easement may also stipulate activities that are not permitted, or subject to restrictions or requirements, in relation to the applicable land.
Transmission line easements generally vary in width depending on the:
On our network, easements generally range from 30 to 65 metres wide along the line, though this is a guide only and proposed easements for future transmission lines may vary. Generally, the higher the line voltage, the wider the easement width.
Download our fact sheet below for more useful information on easements and living with transmission towers.