Downer Energy
Case Study
Utility vegetation management supporting safe, reliable network operations
Tree Truck supports Downer across the Powerco electricity network, helping manage vegetation risk across planned maintenance and reactive fault response. Working in live infrastructure environments, the focus is on safety, compliance, and dependable delivery.
Overview
Downer is responsible for maintaining and operating critical electricity infrastructure where response time, public safety, and network reliability are essential.
Vegetation management supports this work by helping to:
Maintain safe clearances around network assets
Enable access for crews
Reduce the risk of outages and infrastructure damage
Support restoration during faults and weather events
Tree Truck provides regional vegetation support as a trusted delivery partner, working closely with Downer teams across both planned and reactive operations.
Challenge
Utility corridor work is high-consequence and often time-sensitive. Crews may be operating:
In live or recently de-energised environments
During planned outages with tight timeframes
In reactive fault situations where power restoration is urgent
Across multiple sites during severe weather events
In this environment, contractors must be safe, responsive, and easy to work with. They must also work effectively with supervisors, field crews, and wider delivery teams to keep work moving safely and efficiently
“Safety is the first and foremost area we look for in our contractor teams. Having a contractor like Tree Truck with a strong reputation for safety is a key thing.” - Trent Butchart, Area Manager, Energy & Utilities, Downer
Solution
Tree Truck supports Downer across planned and reactive operations, helping keep network work safe, efficient, and on schedule.
Safety, compliance & risk management
Work is carried out in line with Downer and network requirements, with trained crews, appropriate PPE, and strong on-site risk controls for live infrastructure environments.
Reliable delivery & ease of working
Tree Truck supports scheduled maintenance, outage work, and reactive callouts with responsive service, clear communication, and minimal need for follow-up. Their teams work closely with Downer crews on-site, making coordination straightforward and helping jobs progress efficiently.
“They’ve built a really good rapport with the team here… it’s a really healthy relationship.” - Trent Butchart
Planned work includes:
Vegetation clearance within network corridors
Support for maintenance and upgrade works
Delivery within scheduled outage windows
Reactive work includes:
Fault and storm response
Clearing hazardous trees
Restoring safe access for Downer crews
Managing vegetation risks under pressure
Flexibility & initiative
Beyond instructed work, Tree Truck is valued for identifying risks early, taking practical action, and operating with the trust to step in where needed.
A recent example involved vegetation near the Waterworks area, a critical feeder within the network. Tree Truck identified the issue early, raised it with the team, and worked directly with the landowner to help resolve the risk before it impacted operations.
“They’ll raise issues and take the initiative… sometimes without us needing to ask.” - Trent Butchart
Working in high pressure environments
During faults, outages, and severe weather events, Tree Truck provides responsive support where speed, safety, and coordination are critical.
This includes:
Responding across multiple sites
Working safely under urgent timeframes
Supporting faster fault response and power restoration
During the February 2026 weather event, Tree Truck was deployed to multiple locations to clear fallen trees and enable Downer teams to safely restore network services.
Outcome
Tree Truck provides Downer with a safe, dependable, and low-friction vegetation management solution.
The result is:
Safe and compliant delivery
Strong working relationships that make delivery easier across teams
Faster access for restoration and maintenance crews
Reduced operational complexity
Minimal contractor follow-up required
Confidence that work will be completed properly
“You don’t need to chase them… when you ask them to do something, they just get on and do it.” - Trent Butchart