Apply now for funding to underground your private overhead electric line

Image of two workers Installing powerlines underground

The Victorian Government has recently expanded the area covered under the $5 million Private Overhead Electric Line (POEL) Scheme. The Scheme has been running since September 2020 in high bushfire risk areas of Alpine, Towong and East Gippsland and is now expanding to the following ten additional Local Government Areas:

  • Baw Baw
  • Benalla
  • Indigo
  • Mansfield
  • Murrindindi
  • Strathbogie
  • Wangaratta
  • Wellington
  • Wodonga
  • Yarra Ranges

    Map showing the areas where the grants are available for undergrounding of powerlines

    Map showing the Local government areas where the grants are available for undergrounding of powerlines

The POEL Scheme fully funds the replacement of eligible private overhead powerlines with safer underground connection, including in those areas most affected by bushfires in the summer of 2019-20.

Removing old private powerlines helps reduce powerline bushfire ignitions and increases community safety and resilience.

Applications are open to 5pm on Thursday 30 June 2022 (subject to available funding).

Eligibility requirements have recently been broadened to include POELs that are partially or fully bare-wire (uninsulated) regardless of whether or not there is a defect notice. Insulated POELs with an urgent or significant defect are also now included under the Scheme.

To find out more or to apply, please visit: https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/electricity/powerline-replacement or contact the POEL Scheme project team on: (03) 9918 7315 or at [email protected].

To date, the Victorian Government has replaced 736 kilometres of overhead powerlines across the state to reduce the risk of powerlines starting bushfires.

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