Specified operator bushfire mitigation plans

Specified operators must submit BMPs to us for acceptance at least every 5 years. The due date for a specified operator’s next BMP submission depends on their current BMP status.

• If we accepted a specified operator’s BMP between 1 July and 31 October 2024, their next BMP must be submitted to Energy Safe before the 5-year anniversary in 2029. However, as noted below, in some circumstances specified operators must submit a revised BMP before this deadline.
• If we did not accept a specified operator’s BMP between 1 July and 31 October 2024, or a specified operator’s accepted BMP does not cover all their at-risk electric lines, they must submit a new or revised BMP to us before 1 July this year and have an accepted BMP in place before the bushfire risk period commences.

While our assessment of a BMP is underway, a specified operator’s last accepted BMP remains in force (if applicable). There are penalties for specified operators failing to prepare and submit a BMP to us for acceptance before their submission day.

Specified operators must submit a revised BMP to us for acceptance before the five-year anniversary in certain circumstances.

The Acts outlines that specified operators must submit a revised BMP when:

• There are developments in the technical knowledge or the assessment of hazards relevant to the at-risk electric lines (e.g. discovery of new bushfire mitigation technology).
• There are proposed modifications to the at-risk electric lines that will result in an increase in the overall level of risk to safety (e.g. the network has been extended).
• There is a proposed modification to the work practices covered by the BMP that will result in an increase in the levels of risk to safety (e.g. reduced network inspection frequency).
• If the specified operator proposes to make a change to the accepted BMP (e.g. change in legal ownership of the entity responsible for the BMP).

Given there are penalties for failing to revise a BMP in these circumstances, we expect specified operators to proactively submit revisions as required.

Specified operators must submit a revised BMP when we request them to do so. This may occur, for example, where we identify deficiencies during an audit, inspection, investigation or legal proceedings.

We are planning to review accepted BMPs over the next year and, where appropriate, we may request revisions.

Any request will be in writing and specify the matters that the specified operator must address in the revision.