Ausgrid crews to patrol bushfire zones

Ausgrid crews will patrol bushfire zones across the Central Coast in the lead up to summer to check for any hazards on private poles and power lines.

The inspections follow extensive air and ground patrols of Ausgrid’s own electricity network ahead of the bushfire danger period. Ausgrid chief operating offi cer Mr Trevor Armstrong said the patrols were an important safety measure as the State prepares for a challenging bushfi re season. “Bushfi res can take a devastating toll on people, property and the environment, so we take this effort very seriously,” Mr Armstrong said. “We all share responsibility for helping reduce the risk of bushfi res in our harsh Australian climate. “We’re asking the community to work with us to prevent bushfi res by alerting us to any hazards and helping our inspectors check private poles and power lines for any risks. “Frayed wires, damaged poles and trees growing too close to power lines can all spark a bushfi re, and these serious defects should be fi xed immediately. “In some cases, an Ausgrid inspector may need to enter the property to assess any safety issues.” Mr Armstrong said if any bushfire hazards were found, owners would be issued with a notice requiring the problem to be fixed. Bushfire-prone areas to be patrolled over coming weeks include Wisemans Ferry, Spencer, Bar Point, Little Wobby, Mount White, Mooney Mooney, Mangrove Mountain, Mangrove Creek, Popran Creek, Glenworth Valley, Calga, Peats Ridge, Central Mangrove, Somersby, Kulnura, Yarramalong, Cedar Brush Creek, Dooralong, Ravensdale, Wyong Creek and Mardi.

Media release,
13 Oct 2014
Ausgrid Media Unit