Powercor, the electricity distribution giant, has pleaded guilty to 104 charges stemming from failures in vegetation management around power lines, which led to a dangerous bushfire.

The charges, detailed in the Shepparton Magistrates Court, include failing to adequately inspect power lines and clear surrounding vegetation, as required by safety regulations. 

The bushfire, which erupted under Powercor's power lines on February 17, 2023, resulted in extensive damage over 185 hectares, threatening homes and destroying vital farming infrastructure.

The court heard Powercor failed to meet the mandated vegetation clearance around power lines, with specific instances of trees positioned dangerously close to electrical conductors, directly contributing to the fire outbreak during extreme weather conditions. 

Notably, no vegetation clearing occurred in the Glenmore area from March 2022 up to the fire incident, showing a clear lapse in maintaining safety protocols.

Energy Safe Victoria prosecutor, Andrew Woods, emphasised Powercor's lapses in a summary of agreed facts. 

It was revealed that previous inspections in 2021 and 2022 identified 140 instances where vegetation encroached upon power lines beyond safe limits across Victoria, including other regions such as Ballarat and Bendigo.

In its defence, Powercor attributed part of their failure to workforce shortages exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which hindered their capacity to manage vegetation around power lines effectively. 

The company discussed these challenges in court, highlighting efforts to collaborate with Jobs Victoria to mitigate workforce shortages and improve recruitment of skilled workers necessary for maintaining clearances.

The legal proceedings also shed light on operational decisions that prioritised certain areas over others, which resulted in the cancellation of planned tree trimming under the power lines just 10 days before the Glenmore fire.

Victim impact statements from local farmers and the Country Fire Authority underscored the severity of the incident. 

Rowsley CFA captain Joseph Hammersley described the fire as one of the most confronting events in his 17-year tenure with the CFA, acknowledging that the rapid response of firefighters likely prevented a greater disaster.

Powercor's legal representatives conveyed the company’s remorse and commitment to improving their inspection and maintenance practices, including investing in technology such as helicopters equipped with remote sensing to enhance their monitoring capabilities.

The court has set a sentencing date for May 8, where Powercor faces potential fines amounting to approximately $3.8 million for their failures leading to the bushfire and the related charges.