Moving a Private Power Pole for a Driveway, Pool or Granny Flat: Options, Approvals and Cost Drivers

Your private power pole is right where the new driveway, pool or granny flat needs to go. Can it be moved? Yes. Strictly speaking, a private pole isn't “moved”. A new pole is installed in a compliant position, the service line and consumer mains are transferred, and the old pole is removed. Depending on your layout, you might not need a replacement pole at all. You could attach the service directly to the building, or remove the pole entirely by going underground. The right answer depends on distances, clearances and what you're building.

Common reasons Sydney homeowners relocate a pole

• New or widened driveway. Poles near the front boundary often sit exactly where a double driveway or second crossover is planned.
• Swimming pool. Overhead services and poles have strict clearance requirements around pools, which can rule out the current pole position.
• Granny flat or secondary dwelling. The pole or overhead line often crosses the footprint of a backyard granny flat.
• Extensions and second storeys. Adding height can make an existing overhead span non-compliant.
• Landscaping and retaining walls. Changing ground levels around the pole affects footing depth and clearance.

Your four options

1. New pole in a new position

The most common solution. A new steel, timber or composite pole is installed in a compliant spot, the service line is re-run from the network pole, new consumer mains are run to the meter, and the old pole is removed. Where the ground is paved or concreted, core hole drilling is often needed for the new pole footing.

2. Attach the service to the building

If the house or new structure is within a compliant span of the network pole, the service line may be able to attach directly to the building using a raiser bracket. That removes the need for a private pole. It depends on the distance, clearances and building structure.

3. Convert to underground

If you're already disrupting the site with a pool dig or driveway pour, an overhead to underground conversion can make sense. Trench once, remove the pole and overhead line permanently, and never deal with pole maintenance again.

4. Shift the overhead line route without moving the pole

Occasionally the pole can stay and only the route or height of the line to the house changes, for example with a taller pole or a different point of attachment. This suits situations where the line, not the pole, is the obstruction.

What limits where the new pole can go

• Span length from the network pole. Longer spans need taller, stronger poles and possibly bracing.
• Ground clearance over driveways, footpaths and areas vehicles use.
• Pool clearances for both the overhead line and the pole.
• Distance from buildings, windows and balconies.
• Footing conditions, including rock, fill, underground services and slope.
• Access for the pole truck and installation crew.

Our pole strut size calculator gives a feel for how span and tension affect bracing requirements.

What drives the cost

Relocation costs depend on the option chosen and the site. The main drivers are pole type and height, footing and drilling requirements, service line span, consumer mains length to the meter, meter box relocation if needed, surface reinstatement, and old pole removal. Underground conversion usually costs the most upfront but removes future pole costs. A site visit lets us price the options side by side.

Plan it before the concrete goes down

The cheapest time to relocate a pole is before the driveway, pool or slab is poured. Once hardscape is in, drilling and reinstatement add cost. If you're submitting plans for an extension, pool or granny flat, include the pole relocation in the scope from day one.

Get a relocation quote

Call 0402 559 777 or send us your site plan. We'll recommend the best option, whether that's a new pole, attaching to the building or going underground, and price it before your build starts.

Related reading: Private pole vs network pole · Who installs private power poles · On the main site: Power pole relocation