Renewables, Transmission

Transgrid completes annual bushfire prevention program

With Australia bracing for a long, hot summer, Transgrid has undertaken its annual bushfire prevention program to help protect communities from natural disaster.

The transmission operator in NSW and ACT has carried out hundreds of hours of helicopter inspections, aerial imagery, 3D laser scanning, thermographic surveying, vegetation management and network maintenance across thousands of kilometres of transmission lines as part of its bushfire prevention operation.

“Transgrid has completed its comprehensive annual bushfire prevention program as we prepare for what is likely to be a potentially severe bushfire season,” says Transgrid’s executive general manager of network, Marie Jordan.

“We take the risk of bushfires very seriously and the safety of our people and local communities is our priority. That’s why we have ensured a high level of preparedness across more than 13,000km of transmission lines.

“Transgrid uses best-practice asset management and network safety management systems to reduce bushfire risk and potential impacts to local communities and the surrounding environment.”

Transgrid’s 2023 bushfire safety management program includes:

  • A 3D laser aerial survey of easements across the entire network using LiDAR technology to identify vegetation growing too close to transmission lines.
  • An extensive vegetation management program with on-the-ground teams assessing and mitigating potential vegetation encroachments.
  • Helicopter inspections and aerial imagery of the network to physically assess the condition of transmission towers and lines.
  • On-the-ground teams carrying out network inspections and maintenance to avoid potential bushfire hazards.
  • Thermographic surveying of substations to identify and address required asset upgrades.

“These aerial surveys and inspections involve 500 flying hours and have enabled our teams on the ground to proactively respond to potential bushfire hazards, including vegetation management and tower and line maintenance,” says Jordan.

“About half of our maintenance expenditure each year relates to mitigating bushfire risk, including ongoing and comprehensive vegetation management to maintain our easement corridors. This is conducted with asset inspection programs and rectification works to ensure the safe operation of our network.

“Transgrid works closely with the NSW Rural Fire Service and local Bush Fire Management Committees comprising landholders, land managers, fire authorities and community organisations.

“During bushfire season, we work very closely with fire authorities to provide safe and secure access to our easements for firefighters, including de-energising transmission lines if required.

“Our focus is on prevention first. That’s why our network planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance takes bushfire risk into account every step of the way.”

NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Rob Rogers says preventative bushfire action ahead of the predicted hot and dry summer is essential work.

“As we move out of a period of incredibly wet weather, the risk of serious bush and grass fires is returning to NSW,” he says.

“Transgrid’s commitment to preparedness is an important part of ensuring our people are in the best position to protect communities across the state when fire does threaten.”

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