10 August 2012

ActewAGL helicopter looking for bushfire risks

| johnboy
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ActewAGL have the intriguing news that they’re going to be flying a helicopter low over most of town to inspect their overhead powerlines.

ActewAGL will be carrying out a helicopter inspection of overhead powerlines from Monday 13 August to Friday 17 August 2012 (weather permitting), as part of its bushfire prevention program.

ActewAGL General Manager Network Services Robert Atkin said, “The helicopter patrol is a significant part of our bushfire prevention program. Trees and vegetation growing too close to powerlines can cause blackouts and create safety hazards such as grass fires and bushfires. Trees and vegetation can also restrict access, preventing essential maintenance from being carried out.

“The patrol will fly at approximately 800 feet to identify areas where vegetation is encroaching on overhead powerlines.

“It will fly with minimal hovering across Hall, Gungahlin, Belconnen, Central Canberra, Molonglo Valley, Mount Stromlo, Coree, Weston Creek, Woden Valley, Tuggeranong, Paddys River, Cotter River, Tennent, Rendezvous Creek, Booth, Jerrabomberra, Majura and Kowen. The site for take-off and landing will be Canberra Airport.

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Obviously they mean they are flying the main distribution lines that enter the ACT from NSW and the feeder lines between the various switch yards. They are not going to be buzzing peoples backyards…..as some people seem to think.

troutfisher said :

How long will it be before Henry comes up with some theory that its a cover and its really the police looking for drug houses and using the thermal camera in the guise that its being used to find “hot spots” in the line.

Now I’m embarrassed… :p

How long will it be before Henry comes up with some theory that its a cover and its really the police looking for drug houses and using the thermal camera in the guise that its being used to find “hot spots” in the line.

Maybe I smoke too much and this is just paranoia but doesn’t this sound like the perfect cover to fly around looking for grow-ops? I mean, bush-fire prevention is an important thing, and I guess they could just be looking to be prepared, but the middle of Winter seems like an odd time to be looking for bush-fire hazards.

And ActewAGL are quite keen to find houses with innovative electrical connections powering grow lights.

For public safety reasons of course!

Is this an expense that is really required? Sounds like a junket joy ride for a few of the boys.

troll-sniffer12:04 pm 10 Aug 12

Mav said :

Well I hope they see our neighbours scrub that is growing up around our power feed-in line. I have been thinking of contacting ActewAGL to see if they will come out and clear the trees away that are growing around our lines. I don’t mean to take out the tress just ptune them back from the power line.

Depends on the line methinks. A lot of the newer lines don’t need the 1.5m clearance as they are fully insulated. They are a single fat black cable rather than the separate cables of days gone by.

Mav said :

I have been thinking of contacting ActewAGL to see if they will come out and clear the trees away that are growing around our lines. I don’t mean to take out the tress just ptune them back from the power line.

ActewAGL will politely inform you that maintaining vegetation around power lines on residential property is the responsibility of the owner/occupant.

Jeez, I hope they don’t spot my unapproved structure on their easement…

Well I hope they see our neighbours scrub that is growing up around our power feed-in line. I have been thinking of contacting ActewAGL to see if they will come out and clear the trees away that are growing around our lines. I don’t mean to take out the tress just ptune them back from the power line.

It’s a pretty common way of doing powerline maintenance. E.g.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_1T2_l43Xo

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