Many Sydney properties, particularly on larger blocks or rural-residential land, have a private power pole carrying the service connection from the street to the house. Unlike network poles, these belong to the property owner — and so does the maintenance responsibility.
Why This Catches Owners Off Guard
It's a common misconception that all power poles belong to the network operator. Private poles — usually timber, sometimes steel — are owned and maintained by the property owner, even though they carry network-supplied electricity. Ausgrid and Endeavour Energy periodically inspect these poles and issue defect notices, but ongoing maintenance is on you.
What an Inspection Checks
A private pole inspection assesses structural integrity (rot, termite damage, and lean for timber poles; corrosion for steel), the condition of cross-arms and insulators, ground clearance of the service line, and whether the pole still meets current load and clearance standards.
Timber poles typically need replacement every 40 to 60 years depending on soil conditions and treatment, but coastal and high-moisture areas often see earlier deterioration.
What to Do If Yours Is Overdue
If your pole hasn't been inspected in several years, or you've noticed visible lean, cracking, or splintering, get it assessed before the network operator flags it for you with a compliance deadline attached. We carry out private pole inspections, replacements, and defect rectifications across all NSW network zones.
Call us now for a no-obligation quote. Emergency response available 24/7.
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