Ausgrid helicopters or drones will be flying overhead in coming weeks as aerial inspections begin across the Central Coast to ensure communities are safe from any bushfire hazards.
Aerial patrols use cutting edge LiDAR technology and high-resolution photography to find potential risks on poles and wires and spot any vegetation growing too close to powerlines.
Ausgrid Group Executive of Operations Sam Sofi said bushfire prevention played a critical role in keeping customers and the network safe.
“We start implementing our Summer Readiness Plan as early as possible,” he said.
“Specialist crews conduct the inspections and residents may notice low-flying helicopters, drones, or specialised vehicles in coming weeks across Newcastle, the Hunter, the Central Coast and Sydney.
“We recognise these patrols may disturb livestock, particularly in rural areas, so we recommend property owners check the flight schedules on our website.”
Crews will also inspect private electricity poles and contact relevant property owners if they require maintenance.
When weather permits, crews will be in the air no earlier than one hour after sunrise and no later than one hour before sunset.
Ausgrid’s network covers an area of more than 22,000sq/kms across Sydney, the Central Coast and the Hunter, from Waterfall in the south, west to Auburn and just north of Scone.
For flight schedules and more information on the bushfire safety program visit www.ausgrid.com.au/bushfires