The Expression of Interest for the Delivery Partner closed on 14 February, with five interested parties submitting responses. The evaluation process was completed in March, and we were pleased to shortlist two suppliers to progress to the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage.

Since then, we have held multiple collaboration sessions with the shortlisted suppliers to finalise the project scope, performance management, and efficiency targets, all aimed at delivering the best value to our customers. This process has taken longer than initially anticipated. TasNetworks has not previously tendered for a single delivery partner for the regulated program of work and anticipate the new approach will realise a beneficial outcome for our enterprise, customers, and the community.

We are pleased to announce that the RFP was officially released to the two shortlisted suppliers on 15 September. As we embark on the final stage of determining our preferred partner, we are committed to securing the best outcome and partner to deliver our program safely and with high quality.

Aurora Energy have changed their process for vacated residential and small business customer premises. Aurora Energy are looking to commence trialling the use of advanced meters for remotely disconnecting and reconnecting energy.

Electricians should not assume a site is energised or de-energised based on occupancy or appearance.

View the full Safety Notice here: Safety Notice - Remote De-energisation Re-energisation.

For more information, visit the Aurora Energy Website.

TasNetworks has been working with Councils and the Electrical Industry on developing a statewide consistent approach to support the installation of Private Underground Consumer Mains across road reserve / public land.

The Service and Installation Rules v8.5 has now been published with additional information.

It is important to note:

• Landowner (eg. Council, State Growth etc.) approval is still required, and evidence will need to be submitted at the application stage.
  • There may still be scenarios where the landowner may not approve these connection so ensure you obtain these approvals BEFORE commencing any work onsite.
• The BYDA Template will need to be completed in full and submitted with the EWR once all work onsite has been completed.
  • Only the TasNetworks BYDA Template will be accepted
  • You can find examples of the BYDA information requirements here
• If either of the above steps are not met, the connection will be delayed until such time as these are received
• A fee will be charged through to the customers retail bill.
  • This fee may change once we have finalised the AER ringfencing waiver applications.
• TasNetworks will install a visual warning sign on the associated pole.
• Customers will continue to own the private consumer mains and following faults, TasNetworks will make safe as required and communicate that it will be the customer's responsibility to address any further repairs.
• The EWR Checklist in section 3.9 of the Service and Installation Rules has also been updated to reflect these changes.

If you have any questions about these changes, please contact the 'Connection Services' team on 1300 137 008 and select option 2.

The AER has now approved the application guides for the 2025-2026 regulatory control period. The documentation for these services has been published on the 'Regulated Distribution Pricing' page on TasNetworks website.

The main documents commonly referenced by the Electrical industry are.

• 2025-26 Ancillary Services - Fee Based Services Application and Price Guide (PDF)
• 2025-26 Ancillary Services - Quoted Services Application and Price Guide (PDF)

TasNetworks is working to address the barriers electrical contractors face in getting private consumer mains connected to our distribution poles and running cables underground on road reserve / council land.

We are currently working closely with Councils and seeking their support to a short-term solution while we continue to work with all key stakeholders on a long-term resolution.

TasNetworks Proposed Short Term Solution (note: this process is not yet in place)

• Establish a process that enables the recording of private underground consumer mains across council land / road reserves in BYDA.
  • The Electrical Industry will be advised of these requirements once finalised.
  • The Customer or EC will still need to secure the necessary permits and approvals before beginning any work within a road reserve or council land.
• Once finalised and communicated to all key stakeholders, TasNetworks will commence recording new and existing connections in BYDA
• Customers will continue to own and be responsible for the private consumer mains.
• In the event of a fault, TasNetworks will make safe as required and advise that it will be the customer's responsibility to address any further repairs.

This process will still take some time to implement, in the interim to avoid delays with your connections, it is important to follow the process outlined in the current Service & Installation Rules. Remember, if you plan to install private underground consumer mains within a road reserve and connect to a TasNetworks pole, TasNetworks will not approve these connections without the appropriate approval from the relevant councils (or landowners).

Please ensure you secure the necessary permits and approvals before beginning any work within a road reserve or council land, as there is no guarantee that the council or landowner will grant these approvals.

We will continue to update you as we progress.

What do I do if I cannot obtain council approval to run private consumer mains across council land?

• There are alternate connection arrangements available as per the SIR.
  • Overhead
  • Overhead to Private Pole then Underground
  • Underground from Distribution Turret

Can TasNetworks register private underground consumer mains in BYDA?

• This is our intention; however, we need to finalise processes before we can begin recording this information.
• Registering private assets in BYDA is considered a ring-fenced task and as TasNetworks must adhere to Ring-fencing guidelines we will continue to work with the AER to obtain the appropriate Waiver.

When will this be resolved?

• We will continue to work with stakeholders to find a solution however we cannot provide an estimated resolution timeframe at this stage.
• We will keep the industry updated as more information becomes available.

If you have any questions on this process, please contact our Connection Services Team: 📧network.EWRadministration@tasnetworks.com.au

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to improve the connection process.

TasNetworks prices change every financial year, including the 'Regulated Distribution Pricing - Alternative Control Services' (connection fees, tee ups etc.).

The 2025-2026 annual prices are currently pending approval from the AER and will be published on the TasNetworks website by 19 May 2025 and willl be effective from 1 July 2025.

The Technical Advice Team are taking a few extra days leave over the Easter Holiday period.

They will be unavailable from Thursday 18th April 2025 and will resume Monday 28th April 2025.

You can still submit an online technical advice request via the Connections portal and the team will review these when they return.

TasNetworks wish you and your loved ones a fun and safe Easter break.

Some small changes have been made to the Connections Portal for both the Application & EWR process.

Applications

Electrical Contractors will now be asked the below when submitting an application:

“I warrant the proposed connection is in accordance with the TasNetworks Service and Installation Rules and all relevant Australian Standards and Legislation.”

Remember, it is your responsibility to ensure you are familiar with the appropriate rules & legislative requirements.

EWR

To help us improve the scheduling process and clarify how many site visits will be required, we are adding a few additional questions where a Tee-Up with TasNetworks is requested,

• Do you require disconnection on one visit, and reconnection on a second visit?
• Is the disconnect/reconnect required on different days?

If you have any questions about these changes, please contact the 'Connection Services' team on 1300 137 008 and select option 2.

TasNetworks is now offering the Level 1 - Authority to Access & Level 2 - Authority to Operate as a combined Course.

TasNetworks Authority to Access and Operate

Training will be available in Mornington, Rocherlea and Devonport Depots.

4-6 Hours

$660 per person (includes turret access tools)

6 CPD

To check out available date and book online - please visit TasNetworks Contractors page on our Website

For more information, please see the Course Outline here or email the TasNetworks Training Centre at training@tasnetworks.com.au.

Full connection requirements are available in the Service & installation Rules.

TasNetworks is working with councils on a solution to allow ‘Underground Consumer Mains’ to cross council land, to enable a connection up a TasNetworks Pole.

TasNetworks is preparing a submission to the AER for a ringfencing wavier to allow TasNetworks to record private underground consumer mains on council land in BYDA to mitigate the current safety concerns and satisfy council requirements for these connections. Processes are still to be developed and implemented to support this change and these will be communicated to you once all processes and approvals have been finalised. TasNetworks and Councils are working together on a statewide consistent approach

It is important to note, Electrical Contractors are still required to seek council approval prior to installing consumer mains across council land. TasNetworks will not progress these connections without sighting Council approval and evidence of Council approval will be required as part of the connection application process.

The Service & Installation rules have not changed so ensure you are familiar with the full connections requirements in the Service & Installation Rules.

6.5.2 UG Consumer Mains up TasNetworks Service Pole(External link)

6.5.2.1 Customers must:

a) Obtain approval in writing from their local council or authority to cross council or public land to attach Consumer Mains to a TasNetworks’ service pole. The Electrical Contractor must provide evidence of this approval.

6.5.2.2 Customers’ Electrical Contractors must:

a) Provide evidence to TasNetworks of approval from the local Council to cross council land to attach Consumer Mains to a TasNetworks’ service pole

6.5.2.3 TasNetworks must:

a) Not connect any Consumer Mains up poles to the distribution network if the requirements in 6.5.2.1 and 6.5.2.2 above are not met