Power line inspections from the air have begun across the Goulburn and Murray valleys.
As part of Powercor’s vegetation inspection and tree-cutting program, helicopters equipped with light detection and ranging technology can identify the distance between trees and power lines, and determine which trees need cutting.
The helicopters are taking flight across the Echuca region, before moving on to areas around Kyabram, Rochester, Shepparton, Tatura and Cobram.
Powercor head of vegetation management Chris Heinz said the work was to reduce the risk of trees and branches coming into contact with power lines and causing fires.
“We’re working closely with our contractors to get even more cutting crews on the ground, ensuring branches are kept clear of power lines while allowing for expected growth rates,” Mr Heinz said.
“By the end of this year we’ll have double the number of mechanical crews out and about the network, so people can expect to see this work being done in different ways.
“Last year we cut back approximately 300,000 trees and we expect to do just as much, if not more, in 2022.”
Powercor’s vegetation management program is the largest in the state; it inspects and manages vegetation across more than 70,000km of power lines and about 570,000 power line spans through central, northern and western Victoria.
Mr Heinz said more than 300 people managed vegetation across the network, with teams attending sites on both private and public properties.
Customers will be notified if cutting is required on private land, unless cutting must occur immediately for safety reasons.