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Powercor\u2019s head of vegetation management, Ayce Cordy, said the annual inspections play a key role in reducing fire risk and maintaining network reliability.<\/p>\n
\u201cInspecting and managing vegetation growing near powerlines is an essential part of how we keep power safe and reliable for our customers,\u201d Cordy said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy capturing data every year, we can track growth rates of vegetation across our network, helping us plan where to cut right now and when we may need to conduct cutting in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Each year, Powercor deploys a fleet of three helicopters to inspect more than 77,000km of powerlines across western Victoria.<\/p>\n
Clearance requirements are set by Victoria\u2019s energy safety regulator, Energy Safe Victoria, with larger buffer zones required in high bushfire risk areas.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Don\u2019t be surprised if you hear the steady thrum of helicopters overhead in the coming weeks. Aircraft will be scanning powerlines across the Surf Coast, Bellarine Peninsula and parts of Golden Plains, including Bannockburn, Teesdale and Meredith, as part of a major bushfire mitigation effort. The aerial inspections, led by Powercor, will run for the […]<\/p>\n