Section 79

Subject to subsection (2), no person may commence or carry out, or cause or permit the commencement or carrying out of, any earthworks within the vicinity of any low voltage electricity cable which belongs to or which is under the management or control of an electricity licensee unless the person has caused cable detection work to be carried out by a licensed cable detection worker.

Nothing in subsection (1) prohibits a person from commencing or carrying out any earthworks where the person has reasonable cause to believe that it is necessary to do so in the interest of public or private safety except that the person must, not more than 7 days after the earthworks have been commenced or carried out, give to the electricity licensee written notice stating the nature and extent of those earthworks.

Subsection (1) does not prohibit an electricity licensee from commencing or carrying out earthworks within the vicinity of any low voltage electricity cable that belongs to or that is under the management or control of the electricity licensee.

No person other than a licensed cable detection worker or an electricity licensee may commence or carry out any cable detection work within the vicinity of any low voltage electricity cable belonging to or under the management or control of the licensee where such cable detection work is commenced or carried out in connection or combination with or in relation to any earthworks carried out or to be carried out.

Any person who contravenes subsection (1) or (4) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.