Community
24 October, 2025
Concerns about double standard
A CAMPERDOWN resident has expressed concerns about a double standard on his street as smaller trees are cut to allow for power lines while larger trees are left to grow.
Geaff Loving lives in Cressy Street, and has seen many wattle trees along the nature strip trimmed very low to accommodate the powerlines.
A tree in his backyard is among the trees trimmed, which he said was cut back to the point of dying.
Mr Loving said it was a “double standard”.
“They hacked my tree until they killed it, but further down the street they haven’t done a thing,” he said.
“Over on the other side of the road, it’s unreal the size of those trees.
“The trees are above the wires – why haven’t they been cut?
“Ours have been cut, and they weren’t even near the wires.
“It’s ridiculous – the trees on my side of the street weren’t anywhere near as big as the other trees.”
Mr Loving said the size of some of the trees he’s seen along Cressy Street could pose a fire risk and a risk of power disruption.
“They keep saying tidy up for fire season, but it’s double standards again,” he said.
“The trees are growing up through the wires and above the wires.
“How come the electricity company hasn’t said the trees need to be cut?
“The gum trees are probably about 20-30 feet high – if a big wind comes, branches could get knocked onto the powerline and knock out the power to the town.”
Western District Newspapers contacted Powercor for comment, with a spokeswoman saying any questions or concerns about vegetation near powerlines can be directed to 13 22 06.
“We understand some community members have questions about when and why we cut trees and shrubs near powerlines,” the spokeswoman said.
“Our priority is to keep the electricity network safe and reliable, and one of the ways we do that is by managing vegetation growing too close to powerlines.
“In Victoria, there are clear rules that set out when and where we must cut trees, and we follow these closely.
“We inspect the entire network every year using advanced technology, which helps inform where cutting is needed.
“Whether a tree is cut depends on how close it is to a powerline, not how tall it is or whether it sits above or below the line – trees can grow above or below powerlines if they stay outside the regulated distances and remain healthy.”
The spokeswoman encouraged residents to avoid planting trees directly under or near powerlines, or to choose smaller species which won’t grow too close to powerlines.
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