RESIDENTS in bushfire-prone parts of Lake Macquarie and the Central Coast will notice low-flying helicopters in their suburbs from today.
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The choppers will be manned by specialist crews engaged by Ausgrid for annual aerial patrols to inspect the electricity network for potential bushfire hazards.
Two helicopters have been contracted to inspect areas of the electricity network in bushfire-prone parts of the Hunter and Central Coast.
In Lake Macqurie, the helicopters will fly near Coal Point, Wangi Wangi, Rathmines, Charlestown, Fassifern, Swansea, Valentine and Gateshead.
The choppers will also be deployed across suburbs of Newcastle, Port Stephens and the Central Coast.
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Ausgrid chief operating officer Trevor Armstrong said patrols this year started in the Upper Hunter and were now moving to coastal parts of the network.
"Safety is our highest priority and these patrols are a key part of our annual bushfire safety program to help identify and rectify any potential defects that might pose a bushfire risk," Mr Armstrong said.
"This year we have contracted two specialist helicopters to allow the patrols to be finished by the end of June, well before the start of the next bushfire season in September."
The helicopter flights were the safest and most efficient way to inspect high-voltage powerlines, he said.
Ausgrid will remove or repair any hazards identified on the network.
"The patrols reduce safety risks for our own people, because by using a helicopter, we can identify potentially dangerous hazards from above without putting our workers at risk," Mr Armstrong said.
The specialist crews will use laser scanning equipment and taking high-resolution photographs to identify any hazards on electricity poles and wires, and trees growing too close to power lines.
"Using the photographs means our own workers don't need to be placed in a position of having to examine damaged equipment up close," Mr Armstrong said.
Crews will be in the air from about 7.30am to 5.30pm (weather permitting) and property owners may want to consider securing livestock during the patrols, he said.
"The helicopters fly between 15 and 35 kilometres per hour and have been modified to allow for the quietest possible operation but they may fly low at times."
More information including a flight schedule is available at: ausgrid.com.au/bushfirepatrols
