Dural's set-up
Two councils, maybe two networks
Dural is split between Hornsby Shire and The Hills Shire. Ausgrid's published network boundary runs through the area: the village is inside it, but land a short way west and north-west isn't. Check your electricity bill for your distributor.
Hobby farm blocks
Land blocks average five acres (two hectares). The NSW RFS says suburbs like Dural, Kenthurst and Annangrove often have blocks over 1 hectare that back onto bushland.
Big homes, mostly owned
At the 2021 Census, 80.3% of Dural's 2,498 occupied homes were separate houses, 64.5% of houses had 4 or more bedrooms, and 44.2% were owned outright.
Fire season starts early
The RFS says major bush and grass fires are most likely in the centre and north of The Hills Shire, and the season starts with north-westerly winds in September and October.
Private poles and lines: whose are they?
On Ausgrid's network, anything beyond the connection point is the property owner's, including private poles and overhead lines running to the meter or switchboard. Ausgrid points owners to Level 2 Accredited Service Providers for defects on private poles and wires, and it patrols private lines in bushfire prone areas. If it issues a defect notice, NSW law gives you 30 days to respond.
Owners are also responsible for keeping private overhead lines clear of vegetation and having them inspected, tested and maintained regularly. Trimming near lines is dangerous work for an accredited contractor.
What you can do, and what's licensed work
You can
- Find out from your bill which network supplies you.
- Walk your line route and note leaning poles or branches near wires, from a safe distance.
- Know where the main switch is for the house, and for any shed or pump board.
Leave to a licensed electrician
- Anything on private poles or service lines: a Level 2 Accredited Service Provider.
- Cable runs to sheds, pumps and gates, and sub-boards in outbuildings.
- Testing and upgrading switchboards and safety switches.
Start here
On a Dural block with a private pole, we'd have a Level 2 Accredited Service Provider inspect the pole and overhead line before fire season, and fix any vegetation clearance at the same time. It's the part of a rural property that can fail in a storm or start trouble in a fire. Tell us your postcode and what's on the property, and we'll match one licence-checked specialist to it.
Want a specialist to sort it?
Tell us the job and your postcode. We match the licence-checked local electrician who does this kind of work, and they call you. No ring-around, and your number goes to them alone.