A private power pole is a power pole on your property that carries the electricity supply from the network's connection point to your building, and as the owner you are legally responsible for maintaining it. If it leans, rots, or the wires sag too low, it is your job to have it repaired or replaced by a Level 2 Accredited Service Provider (ASP), not the network's. Many owners only discover this when a defect notice arrives or a storm brings the pole down. Knowing the signs early saves a lot of cost and stress.
Here is who owns what, when a private pole needs replacing, and what it costs.
What makes a power pole "private"
The network owns and maintains the poles and wires up to a defined connection point near your property, called the point of attachment. If the supply then runs to a pole that stands on your land before reaching your building, that pole is private. It belongs to you, the property owner, and everything from the point of attachment inward is your responsibility to keep safe and compliant. Private poles are common on larger blocks, rural-style properties, and older homes across the Northern Beaches and North Shore where the supply runs some distance from the street.
Who is responsible: you or Ausgrid?
For a private pole, you are. Ausgrid maintains its own network assets, but a private pole and the service wiring on your side of the point of attachment are the owner's to maintain. That means if the pole is unsafe, Ausgrid can issue a defect notice requiring you to fix it, and if it fails, the repair bill is yours. It is worth checking your home insurance too, as some policies cover storm damage to private poles and some do not.
Warning signs a private pole needs attention
- A visible lean that was not there before, or that is getting worse.
- Rot at the base on a timber pole, soft or crumbling wood, or fungus.
- Rust and corrosion at the base or fittings of a steel pole.
- Cracks or splits running down the pole.
- Sagging service wires or low clearance over a driveway or yard.
- Loose or damaged fittings where the wires attach.
- Movement in wind beyond a slight, normal flex.
If you spot any of these, keep clear of the pole and have it assessed. A failing pole near power lines is dangerous and can escalate quickly in a storm.
Worried about a pole on your property?
DM Electrical is a Level 2 ASP based in Brookvale. We assess, repair, and replace private power poles across the Northern Beaches, North Shore, and wider Sydney, and handle the network coordination and paperwork. If a pole is leaning or storm-damaged, do not wait. Call us.
Timber vs steel: your replacement options
When a private pole needs replacing, you generally choose between:
- Hardwood timber: lower upfront cost and a traditional look, but a shorter lifespan and vulnerable to rot and termites over time.
- Galvanised steel: higher upfront cost but far longer lasting, with strong resistance to rot, pests, and coastal weather. Often the better long-term value on the Northern Beaches given the salt air.
A Level 2 ASP can advise which suits your site, height requirements, and budget.
Why it is Level 2 work
Replacing a private pole means disconnecting and reconnecting the service, working on the point of attachment, and coordinating with the network. That is squarely Level 2 ASP work, and a standard electrician cannot legally do it. As a Level 2 ASP, DM Electrical handles the disconnection, the pole replacement, the reconnection, and the compliance paperwork as one job. We have done this on jobs like the Church Point undergrounding project, where service infrastructure had to be replaced and coordinated with the network.
Frequently asked questions
Who is responsible for a private power pole?
The property owner. The network maintains its assets up to the point of attachment near your property. A private pole standing on your land past that point, along with the service wiring on your side, is the owner's responsibility to maintain, repair, and replace using a Level 2 ASP.
How do I know if my power pole is private?
If the electricity supply runs to a pole that stands on your land before reaching your building, it is almost certainly a private pole. Private poles are common on larger blocks and older properties where the supply runs some distance from the street. A Level 2 ASP can confirm ownership during a site visit.
What are the signs a private power pole needs replacing?
Watch for a new or worsening lean, rot at the base of a timber pole, rust or corrosion on a steel pole, cracks or splits, sagging service wires, low clearance over a driveway, and loose fittings. Any of these means the pole should be assessed and likely repaired or replaced.
Can any electrician replace a private power pole?
No. Replacing a private pole involves disconnecting and reconnecting the service and coordinating with the network, which is Level 2 ASP work. A standard licensed electrician cannot legally do it. DM Electrical is a Level 2 ASP and handles the disconnection, replacement, reconnection, and compliance paperwork.
The bottom line
If a power pole stands on your land past the point of attachment, it is private, and keeping it safe is your responsibility. Watch for leaning, rot, rust, and sagging wires, and act early rather than waiting for a defect notice or a storm. Replacement is Level 2 work, and steel usually outlasts timber near the coast. DM Electrical assesses and replaces private poles across Sydney and the Northern Beaches. Call 0410 144 047 or request a quote.