POWERLINK QUEENSLAND USING VEGETATION TO SCREEN TRANSMISSION LINES

Powerlink Queensland strives to minimise the visual impacts The information in this of its infrastructure on landholders. brochure is provided as a guide only. It is general One of the considerations for new transmission line projects is identifying in nature and may not apply tower structure locations that reduce visual impact and offer opportunities to particular locations or to maintain as much existing vegetation as possible. circumstances. It is not expert The visual effect of transmission lines can also be reduced by suitable landscaping landscaping or horticultural treatments located outside of Powerlink easements in streets and private advice. properties, in conjunction with existing vegetation. The species lists provided In certain situations, with the right choices in the right areas, you may be able are by no means complete to effectively and safely screen views of transmission lines and, at the same time, and some trees may not grow enhance the visual quality of the environment in which you live. successfully or be available Planting can be done on your property, but only grasses/herbs and low growing in your area. vegetation should be planted on easements, as trees and taller vegetation could become a safety hazard and would need to be removed. Always contact Please consult your local your Local Government before planting on council property or your street. member of the Nursery and Garden Industry Australia Screening should take into account your main viewing areas like a deck or the outlook from your lounge room or kitchen window. association for advice on your specific requirements. Please refer to Figure 1 below for an example of effectively screening a transmission line, by combining new plantings with existing vegetation.

Before After

Figure 1. Planting vegetation off the easement can effectively screen transmission lines. 2

Successful planting tips Soil conditions and climate vary considerably throughout Queensland, therefore selecting the correct plant species, preparing for planting and continuing maintenance are LINE OF SIGHT critical. The following guidelines will help you to successfully use vegetation to screen transmission lines.

Large trees do not always effectively screen the view, especially when located some distance from a house. Smaller trees and shrubs, and garden landscaping LINE OF SIGHT techniques, can be very effective in screening views EASEMENT BOUNDARY when located near a house as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2. If you are planting vegetation near a transmission line, Planting small trees or shrubs to create it should be planted so that it: a ‘visual wall’. • is not within five metres (m) either side of the area directly below and between the transmission line wires

• is not within 20m of a transmission line tower or pole LINE OF SIGHT • has a mature height of less than 3.5m.

Please contact Powerlink before planting vegetation on a transmission line easement. Some vegetation can be planted on easements, but it is subject to Powerlink’s

assessment and consent. LINE OF SIGHT

EASEMENT BOUNDARY

Figure 3. Using landscaping features (e.g. pergolas or climbers on frames) to create a ‘visual ceiling’.

Planting suggestions Powerlink encourages the planting of native species and South East Queensland there are a range of which can assist with screening in most situations. It is usually most effective to use a Low growing vegetation suitable for planting within combination of planting groups. The species lists outlined the easement in this brochure have been categorised for different regions Scented Top Guinea Flower across Queensland. Capillipedium spicigerum Hibbertia sp. Barbed Wire Grass Blady Grass When planting outside of the easement, consider the Cymbopogon refractus Imperata cylindrica distance of the planting and allow enough space for future Dianela Mat Rush plant growth. Dianella sp. Lomandra sp. Note: only plant grasses around tower footings. Winter Apple Bower of Beauty Eremophila debilis Pandorea jasminoides Wombat Berry Plectranthus Eustrephus latifolius Plectranthus sp. Scrambling Lilly Native Raspberry Geitonoplesium cymosun Rubus sp. Native Sarsaparilla Kangaroo Grass Hardengergia violacea Themeda triandra

POWERLINK USING VEGETATION TO SCREEN TRANSMISSION LINES 3

South East Queensland (continued)

Shrubs suitable for planting outside Low growing vegetation suitable for planting within the easement the immediate easement Wallaby Grass Cut Leaf Daisy Brigalow Grass Flat Stemmed Wattle Sticky Hop Bush Austrodanthonia Brachyscome multifida Paspilidium caespidiodes Acacia complamata Dodanaea viscosa bipartita Blue Trumpet Slender Rat’s Tail Grass Native Ginger Purple Pea Bush Small-flowered Brunaniella australis Sporobolus creber Alpinia caerulea Hovea acutifoia Wallaby Grass Austrodanthonia Curly Windmill Grass Native Spinach Midyum Berry Pea Bush setacea Enteropogon ccicularis Tetrogonia tetragonioides Austromyrtus dulcis Hovea sp. Twiggy Myrtle Dog Wood Bamboo Grass Common Rush Kangaroo Grass Babingtonia similis Jacksonia scoparia Austrostipda Juncus usitatis Themeda triandra ramosissima Baekea Wild May Baekea sp. Leptospermum polygalifolium Dwarf Shrubs suitable for planting outside the immediate easement Tea Tree Leptospermum sp. Scrub Boonaree Orange Boxwood Black Cotton Bush Swamp Banksia Alectryon diversifolius Maytenus disperma Maireana decalvans Thyme Myrtle Melaleuca thymifolia Currant Bush Turkey Bush Butterfly Bush Golden Candlesticks Carissa ovata Eremophila desertii Pavetta australiensis Blue Tongue Melastoma Ruby Saltbush Native Coffee Bush malabathricum (affine) Breynia oblongifolia Enchylaena tomentosa Sago Flower Black Thorn Ozmanthus diosmifolius Bursaria spinosa Geebung Plantings suitable only where they will not impact Powerlink Lolly Bush cornifolia assets or easements Clerodendrum floribundum Hairy Bush Pea Brigalow Belah Rosella Cordyline Pultanea villosa Hibiscus heterophyllus Cordyline sp. Brush Senna Red Ash Small Leafed Tuckeroo Green Bolly Gum Small Leaf Hop Bush Senna acclinis Alphitonia excelsa Cupianopsis parvifolia Neolitsea australiensis Dodanaea Triangularis Coastal Rosemary Warrior Bush Weeping Koda / Small-fruited Forest Hop Bush Westringia fruticosa Dodanaea Triquetra Apophyllum anomalum Peach Bush Mock Olive Native Rosemary Ehretia membranifolia Notelaea microcarpa Westringia sp. Kurrajong populneus Pilliga Box Quinnine Bush Eucalyptus pilligaensis Petalostigma pubescens Plantings suitable only where they will not Bottle Tree impact Powerlink assets or easements Brachychiton rupestris Poplar Box Gumbi Gumbi Eucalyptus populnea Pittosporum Brisbane Wattle Macaranga Ooline augustifolium Acacia fimbriata Macaranga tanarius pentastylis Wilga Geijera parviflora Wattle Snowy Tea Tree Wild Orange Acacia sp. Melaleuca irbyana Capparis mitchellii Small Kurrajong Snow in Summer Brachychiton bidwillii Melaleuca linarifolia Tuckeroo Paper Bark Cupianiopsis sp. Melaleuca sp. Plunket Mallee Pavetta Eucalyptu curtisii Pavetta australiensis Cheese Tree Brisbane Laurel Glochidion fernandi Pittosporum revolutum Tulipwood Lilly Pilly Harpulia pendula Sysigium sp. * Sp equates to ‘species’.

POWERLINK USING VEGETATION TO SCREEN TRANSMISSION LINES POWERLINK QUEENSLAND USING VEGETATION TO SCREEN TRANSMISSION LINES

Central Queensland Wet Tropics Area

Low growing vegetation suitable for planting Low growing vegetation suitable for planting within the easement within the easement Cordyline Guinea Flower Wonga Wonga Vine Scented Top Creek Mat Rush Cordyline sp. Hibbertia banksii Pandorea pandorana Capillipedium spicigerum Lomandra sp. Lemon Scented Grass Blady Grass Native Plumbago River Lilly Bower of Beauty Cymbopogon ambigues Imperata cylindrica Plumbago zeylonica Crinum pedunculatum Pandorea jasminoides Blue Flax Lilly Lomandra Cardwell Lilly Barbed Wire Grass Wonga Vine Dianella caerulea Lomandra sp. Proiphys amboinensis Cymbopogon refractus Pandorea pandorana Rasp Fern Bower of Beauty Kangaroo Grass Blue Flax Lilly Native Plumbago Doodia aspera Pandorea jasminoides Themeda triandra Dianella caerulea Plumbago zeylonica Millaa Millaa Vine Qld Blue Grass Cardwell Lilly Elaeagnus triflora Dichanthium sericeum Proiphys amboinensis Blady Grass Kangaroo Grass Imperata cylindrica Themeda triandra Shrubs suitable for planting outside the immediate easement Spiny Headed Mat Rush Native Coffee Bush Mountain Tea Tree Geebung Lomandra longifolia Breynia oblongifolia Leptospermum Persoonia cornifolia wooroonooran Shrubs suitable for planting outside Swamp Tamarind Hairy Bush Pea Dictyoneura obtusa Thyme Myrtle Pultanea villosa the immediate easement Melaleuca thymifolia Dog Wood Brush Senna Flat Stemmed Wattle Jacksonia scoparia Blue Tongue Senna acclinis Acacia complanata Hakea purpurea Melastoma Wild May malabathricum (affine) Native Rosemary Crowded Leaf Wattle Purple Pea Bush Leptospermum Westringia sp. Acacia conferta Hovea acutifoia polygalifolium Native Mock Orange Murraya ovatifoliolata Showy Wattle Dog Wood Tea Tree Acacia decora Jacksonia scoparia Leptospermum sp. Sago Flower Ozmanthus diosmifolius Weeping Coast Myrtle Honey Thyme Myrtle Babingtonia frutescens Melaleuca thymifolia Dwarf Banksia Blue Tongue Banksia oblongifolia Melastoma affine Plantings suitable only where they will not impact Powerlink assets or easements Native Coffee Bush Sago Flower Breynia oblongifolia Ozmanthus dissmifolius Native Hydrangea Cotton Wood Tree Abrophyllum ornans Hibiscus tiliaceus flammeum Cordyline Native Rosemary Cordyline sp. Westringia eremicola Thornton Aspen Lime Berry Fox Tailed Palm Acronychia acuminata Micromelum minutum Wadyetia bifurcata Plantings suitable only where they will not Beach Cherry Pavetta Native Guava impact Powerlink assets or easements Eugenia reinwardtiana Pavetta australiensis Eupomatian laurina Mt Morgan Wattle Cotton Wood Native Rosella Powder Puff Lilly Pilly Acacia podalyrifolia Hibiscus tiliaceus Hibiscus heterophyllus Sysigium wilsonii Lancewood Wild May Acacia shirleyi Leptospermum polygalifolium Prickly Moses Acacia ucilifolia Prickly-leaved Paper Bark Melaleuca nodosa Small Kurrajong Brachychiton bidwillii Little Evoda Melicope rubra Beach Cherry Eugenia reinwardtiana Lime Berry Micromelum minutum Powder Puff Lilly Pilly Sysigium wilsonii Native Rosella Hibiscus heterophyllus * Sp equates to ‘species’.

OR RER INORION REELL E W O V L V

Publication date May