TRANSGRID will be deploying a helicopter across the Port Macquarie-Hastings region this month to inspect high-voltage electricity transmission lines for the network’s annual bushfire prevention program.
The comprehensive inspections help identify any potential bushfire risks and assess the condition of towers and transmission lines to ensure the safe operation of the network in the lead-up to summer.
Weather permitting, the inspections will take place between 12-17 June.
“As part of our annual bushfire prevention program, we are committing significant resources to inspect the network and carry out any necessary vegetation management and maintenance work to reduce the risk of bushfires in the lead-up to the 2025-26 summer period,” General Manager of Asset Management Lance Wee said.
Between February and September every year, specialist teams inspect transmission lines and infrastructure on Transgrid’s 13,000km network to help identify any vegetation encroachments and maintenance issues.
On a single day, the crews can cover up to 450km of transmission line and more than 110 transmission towers.
“People may see the helicopter flying along transmission lines so crews can inspect them and take photos so we can proactively respond to addressing any bushfire risks,” Mr Wee said.
The helicopter will fly above transmission lines at about 50 kilometres per hour, with a Transgrid linesman accompanying a pilot and a monitor on an Airbus Single Engine AS350 FX2.
