Plant Smart is a vegetation management program developed by Ergon Energy and Greening Australia to raise the awareness of appropriate vegetation under and around powerlines.

There are two main streams to the program:

Research and Development
Public Awareness

In research and development, Ergon Energy and Greening Australia Queensland are looking at more efficient techniques to control vegetation under powerlines, maintain or increase biodiversity, improve plant density and explore appropriate species ranges.

The public awareness stream involves working together with councils, businesses, schools, community groups, garden nurseries and the general public to promote the awareness of the issues of planting the incorrect vegetation under and around powerlines in both rural and urban areas.

Ergon Energy maintains one of the largest electricity distributions in the world, covering over one million square kilometres or 97% of Queensland. Our Plant Smart Coordinators are based in Northern, Central and South Western Queensland.

Plant Smart Schools Program

Schools, teachers and students can receive support from Plant Smart. This includes:

Free school visits
(this could be conducting an energy and/or biodiversity audit at your school or a presentation)

Free resources
–The world needs trees but which ones please? (download pdf)
- Plant Smart School Action Plan (download pdf)
- Ergon Energy Ergonia website

Potential tree planting at your school

Visit the Ergon Energy Plant Smart website.

Project Achievements

Developing partnerships with Queensland Regional Councils.
Over 100 commercial, wholesale and community nurseries have joined the program to provide advice and powerline friendly species.
Successful vegetation management trials and monitoring of established sites.
Plant recognition training for Ergon Energy staff and contractors.
Incorporated Plant Smart material into the school curriculum to educate and raise awareness of vegetation management around powerlines.

Plant Smart projects

Plant Smart contacts

Project Manager
Ross Andrewartha
0418 782 388
Email

Technical Coordinator
Del Windridge
07 4729 9500
Email

State-wide technical officer
Jason Rose
0427 638 035
Email

Northern Coordinator
Gary Barnes
0439 576 450
Email

Plant Smart Technical Help Desk
Email