Powercor to pay $2.1-million fine after failing to clear vegetation that led to 2023 Glenmore bushfire
The fire near Bacchus Marsh burnt 185 hectares of land, threatening homes and destroying crops. (Supplied: Energy Safe Victoria)
Electricity distributor Powercor has been fined $2.1 million after pleading guilty to failing to clear vegetation under powerlines, resulting in a dangerous bushfire west of Melbourne.
The company, which managed powerlines in Victoria’s west and north, was sentenced in the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court today on 104 charges of failing to inspect powerlines before the fire season and failing to clear vegetation.
That failure led to a bushfire at Glenmore near Bacchus Marsh in February last year, which took two days to contain and burnt 185 hectares of land, threatening homes and destroying crops, sheds and fencing.
The court heard Powercor had since increased investment in line inspection and tree cutting.
A breach of duty
The court heard Powercor failed to inspect 1,000 kilometres of powerlines in the Horsham and Shepparton areas during 2021 and 2022, which it said was due to issues with its aircraft and sensors.
Energy Safe Victoria conducted its own inspections and found 140 instances where Powercor had failed to clear vegetation around powerlines during that time period.
On February 17, 2023, the outcome of the maintenance failure was realised when the tops of trees came into contact with sagging powerlines at Glenmore, causing foliage to catch alight.
It was a total fire ban day and the fire spread quickly.
Residents were ordered to remain in their homes as firefighters worked to protect their properties because it was too dangerous to evacuate.
Community and Country Fire Authority members submitted victim impact statements to the court, highlighting the emotional toll of the fire.
“Since the fire, there has not been any enjoyment of summer,” one resident wrote.
“Now it is just a period of time to get through hopefully unscathed. The fear is something you cannot forget.”
‘Disastrous’ consequences
The court heard Powercor knew vegetation was too close to powerlines at Glenmore two-and-a-half years before the fire, but did not allocate a cutting contractor until 15 months later.
Ms Bhai said Powercor cancelled the contractor the week before the fire to focus on other areas considered to be a higher priority.
“The potential consequences were disastrous,” she said.
“This is not Powercor’s first time before the court for similar offending, nor is it the first time a bushfire has been caused by its infrastructure.”
Powercor has previously been prosecuted for failing to clear vegetation from powerlines after fires at Rochester, Strathmerton and Port Campbell in 2018.
‘We can lose it all’
Toni, whose name has been withheld for privacy, lives on 77 hectares at Glenmore, close to where the fire started.
“It was a very hot day, about 41 degrees [Celsius] and there were very strong winds coming towards out property,” she said.
“We smelt the smoke. Our horses were in an absolute panic and we tried to get them out of the front paddock.
“There was thick smoke and it was difficult to see and suddenly the flames were in our paddock.”
Toni said it was lucky the local fire brigade responded quickly to extinguish the flames and save their property.
“These companies need to understand their decision [about] whether or not to maintain trees in the area is going to impact people and life,” she said.
“We can lose it all in the blink of an eye if they don’t do their jobs properly and don’t act responsibly.”
Toni said she was pleased at the $2.1 million fine imposed by the court and hoped it was a message to all companies to take powerline maintenance seriously.
Ms Bhai said the maximum penalty for the charges combined was $3.8 million, but legislative amendments would soon increase this maximum to reflect the seriousness of the offending.
Powercor advised the court it had capacity to pay a fine and that its total annual budget for powerline clearance work was about $60 million.