Shared Use of Poles
Distribution Network Operators may provide shared use of their assets eg. poles to third parties under formal arrangements (eg. Facility Access Agreements). This section outlines the minimum requirements which apply to third parties attaching equipment to distribution company assets.
Shared Use of Poles Code
The Shared Use of Poles Code 2020 has been developed by the VESI Shared Use of Poles Code Committee and supersedes the 1996 edition.
This edition of the Code will commence operation on 1 June 2020 and apply to all new applications for Shared Use of Poles within the electricity supply networks operated by the Victorian Electricity Distributors, namely AusNet Services, CitiPower, Jemena Electricity Networks, Powercor Australia Ltd and United Energy.
The Code forms the major part of Victorian Electricity Distributors’ “reasonable technical requirements” as referred to in the Electricity Distribution Code. The Electricity Distribution Code is applied under the lectricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic) and is administered by the Essential Services Commission Victoria.
The Code has been subject to extensive industry consultation during its development and offers users with industry agreed specifications intended to assist Distributors and Shared Users to meet their Regulatory obligations. The Code lessens the need to reference the complex, extensive and expanding range of regulations and documentation relating to Shared Use of assets belonging to the owners of Victorian electricity networks.
The Code may not cover all circumstances. These may include unusual attachments, inadvertent omissions or changes to legislation and other codes. The VESI Shared Use of Poles Code Committee does not accept responsibility where this occurs. The relevant Victorian Electricity Distribution Company must be consulted in these circumstances.
The Shared Use of Poles Code provides guidance and describes the minimum technical standards for third parties wishing to attach assets to network operator facilities.
This Code applies to the attachment of Shared Use equipment such as
- Cables, wires and leads;
- Power supplies, control boxes, switch boxes, terminal boxes and fuse boxes;
- Telecommunication Antennae, communications dishes and any associated equipment (i.e. cables, terminal boxes etc.);
- Electrolysis equipment; and
- Minor hardware such as signs, flags, banners, Christmas/event decorations, and traffic signals or any other minor attachments approved by the Distribution Company.
The Code also sets out the requirements for the design, construction, attachment, safety, operation, maintenance and removal of Shared User's Equipment Attached to a Distribution Company owned Pole.
Download the Shared Use of Poles Code
Click on this link to access the The Code
Committee Members
Membership of the Shared Use Committee is made up of the following VESI employees:
| Network Operator | Representative | |
|---|---|---|
| Ausnet Services | Saman De Silva | |
| CitiPower/Powercor | Luke Farrugia(Chair) | Anwar Qayyum |
| Jemena | Max Demko | |
| United Energy | Jim Tsirikis | |
Communication Workers
Shared Users must ensure that any works undertaken on the Distribution Company’s pole is carried out by workers who have received training and have been assessed as competent. The Victorian Electricity Supply Industry (VESI) Network Operators have agreed on common training requirements for Communication workers working on their assets. The requirements described in the document below apply to all workers performing communications work who are installing and or maintaining communications infrastructure on VESI Network Operator assets.
Safety Compliance Training Requirements for Telecommunications work on VESI Network Operator Assets
Signs, minor attachments and banners
Shared users undertaking the installation and maintenance of signs, minor attachments and banners shall be trained prior to undertaking this work.