Hovering helicopters have the power to help prevent bushfires

By Murray Silby

Apr 11, 2024

**Aerial surveillance:** Helicopters are scanning powerlines across the Goulburn and Murray valleys as part of Powercor’s year-round bushfire mitigation and vegetation management.

Residents across the Goulburn and Murray valleys might notice a low-flying helicopter moving across their area over the next few weeks.

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If they do, it's likely to be scanning powerlines for Powercor, as part of its bushfire mitigation and vegetation management program.

The choppers fly about 300m above the ground and use technology known as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) to scan the distance between tree branches and powerlines.

That enables Powercor to create a 3D model that helps cutting teams know where and when to cut in order to protect the lines.

“Our work is about reducing the risk of trees and branches coming into contact with powerlines, which can lead to power outages and fires,” Powercor’s Head of Vegetation Management Ayce Cordy said.

“These flights are just part of our extensive work to keep the network safe and reliable for our communities.”

The helicopters will be following powerlines in and around Shepparton, Numurkah, Mooroopna, Tatura, Cobram, Yarrawonga and Rochester.