Council Pushes Safer Powerlines, Greener Streets

Why this matters in Port Phillip

Trees are critical infrastructure - they cool our city, improve air quality, reduce flood risk, and enhance our community. Port Phillip is Victoria's most densely populated local government area (5,029 people per km²), which means our streets must work hard - for movement, community life and climate resilience. Our urban forest is a vital part of that picture. Council manages around 46,000 trees, with roughly 17,000 growing beneath powerlines. In our dense environment, street trees deliver much of the canopy cover our neighbourhoods rely on.

Urban forests are proven, cost‑effective climate solutions. They help cool hot streets, reduce flood risk and support health and wellbeing. Council has set a target for 30% canopy cover by 2040, and the Victorian Government introduced a 30% canopy target for all urban areas in 2025. The current reform proposals acknowledge the importance of trees but don't yet make the changes needed to help achieve that target. We're advocating for practical updates that will.

What we're asking the State to change

We support electrical safety as essential infrastructure and believe we can deliver it alongside greener streets. Our submission requests line‑clearance reforms that:

• Prioritise climate resilience and help achieve the 30% canopy target.
• Mandate safer network upgrades where appropriate (for example, covered conductors, bundled cables, and undergrounding) so trees need less severe pruning and can grow healthy canopies.
• Standardise fair, opt‑in trials with clear governance, consistent data requirements and realistic timeframes-so evidence is robust and costs are manageable.
• Enable data sharing across sectors to cut duplication, reduce costs and strengthen safety.

Right now, councils often bear the cost of network changes that reduce tree pruning (for example, converting spans to aerial bundled cable can exceed $20,000 per span). Aligning incentives and standards would improve safety and protect canopy with better value for the community.

Safe electricity and greener streets isn't a trade‑off

Good planning can do both. Let's shape powerlines around trees, not just trees around powerlines - so our streets stay cooler, healthier and more welcoming for everyone.