Bushfire prevention program takes to the skies to keep community safe

LiDAR inspections by plane are underway across parts of the network and will wrap up in March, with helicopter inspections to follow in coming months.

Executive General Manager of Network Marie Jordan said: “Our priority is to protect the safety of landowners, communities and our people and we take the risk of bushfires very seriously and do everything we can to reduce potential risks.

“Our transmission lines have been safely operating for decades, and we are committed to ensuring they continue to do so for many years to come as they are a critical piece of the clean energy transition.

“Transgrid’s network includes more than 13,000km of transmission lines – the equivalent of travelling from Sydney to Perth four times – and we inspect it every year to ensure a high level of preparedness ahead of the summer bushfire season.

“Every year our team plans this program carefully so we can ensure it is as effective as possible to reduce bushfire risk and potential impacts to local communities.”

The 2025 bushfire prevention program runs until September and includes:

• A 3D laser aerial survey of easements across the entire network using LiDAR technology to identify vegetation growing too close to transmission lines
• Helicopter inspections to physically assess the condition of structures and lines
• On-the-ground teams carrying out network maintenance and addressing potential vegetation encroachments to reduce bushfire risks.

Between May and September, specialist helicopter crews will inspect transmission lines across the state.

“The comprehensive inspections help identify any potential bushfire risks such as vegetation encroachments and assess the condition of towers and transmission lines,” Ms Jordan said.

“This year we will have two helicopters in the air at the same time in the Wagga and Yass areas and in Sydney and Newcastle to enable us to complete inspections faster.

“Using two helicopters across these regions will allow us to expedite this year’s program so we can send in on-the-ground teams sooner to carry out any necessary vegetation management to maintain our easement corridors and tower and line maintenance before the start of the next bushfire season.”

A guide to this year’s helicopter flight schedule is below. Please note this is weather dependent and subject to change.

For more information about Transgrid’s bushfire prevention measures and helicopter inspections visit: Managing Risk - Bush Fire Risk Management Plan | Transgrid

Media enquiries:

Mark Nolan 0429 047 136