STAFF WRITERS
VICTORIANS are being urged to prepare for an early start to the fire season and potential power outages this summer, AusNet has warned.
The recently released Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook said there was a high chance of an early start to the fire season in Victoria this year, with fires in Gippsland earlier this month attesting to that.
The Australian Energy Market Operator has also warned that there is increased risk of power outages this summer due to higher than usual electricity demand.
AusNet’s executive general manager network operations and safety, Prue Crawford-Flett, said energy reliability was a key focus for AusNet, with preparations for the upcoming summer well underway. AusNet operates in a region that spans from Biggara in the state’s north-east to Giffard and Mallacoota.
Ms Crawford-Flett said AusNet had inspected 11,296 power poles from the ground and via helicopter. These inspections resulted in proactive maintenance on 1759 of these poles.
“Additionally, in this area we’ve assessed 28,938 spans, which is the area between two power poles, for overgrown vegetation and cleared 5127 spans as a result. This work is part of our commitment to improve safety and reliability ahead of the bushfire season,” she said.
“We invested $52.7 million this year on vegetation management programs to ensure the network is well maintained.”
AusNet’s electricity distribution network covers 80,000 square kilometres, which consists of 45,985 kilometres of overhead powerlines, 7908 kilometres of underground cables, 417,145 power poles and 90,000 streetlights.
This year marks the completion of AusNet’s rapid earth fault current limiter (REFCL) program as part of the state government’s Powerline Bushfire Safety program.
“REFCLs operate like a safety switch, rapidly cutting power to fallen or damaged powerlines before a fire can start, reducing the risk of bushfires in our communities,” Ms Crawford-Flett said.
“Our REFCL’s have been built and tested over seven years and have detected a number of faults since 2018, potentially avoiding fires from starting.”
AusNet says it will continue to prepare for Victoria’s energy future by investing in projects that increase network capacity, improve reliability, introduce more renewable energy into the network and protect communities from bushfires.
The network operator says in preparing for power outages, it’s important to be power prepared and know what to do before, during and after a power outage.
Life support customers should have an up-to-date emergency plan with their medical practitioner and be ready to use it during an outage.
AusNet says people should have a plan ready to go if the power goes out.
Tips to help people prepare before an outage include:
Make sure you have an emergency management plan;
Put together an emergency kit in an easy to access place and let everyone know where it is. As a start you should have battery-operated devices such as a radio to receive important information in the event of an outage and a torch. Make sure you keep spare batteries in there too;
Check to make sure that your medical supplies are fully stocked;
Make sure you can open your garage or fence manually so you can leave your home if the power goes out;
Make sure your phone is fully charged. Remember, some phones only work with electricity;
If you have an electric water pump, stock up on bottled water, and;
If you have a private overhead electric line on your property, ensure it’s clear of vegetation. Phone a registered electrician to repair damaged poles, or a certified tree clearer to remove unwanted vegetation.
Life support customers should:
If you require oxygen, make sure the cylinders are filled and working;
See if you can visit a friend, family member or hospital when the power is out;
Ask a neighbour to check on you during the outage, and;
Keep all important phone numbers handy, for example: your doctor, the nearest hospital, the local taxi service and AusNet’s emergency number 13 17 99.
AusNet’s life support priority line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 1800 818 832.
For further tips on how to prepare for power outages, go to ausnetservices.com.au/powerprepared and for updates on current outages, go to AusNet’s outage tracker at outagetracker.com.au
