Powercor is currently conducting exercises over Kyabram to scan for trees and vegetation growing too close to powerlines.
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“Powercor is conducting its aerial inspections over Kyabram this afternoon, as part of efforts to keep the electricity network safe and reliable,” a spokesperson for the organisation said.
The Bell 505 helicopters are targeting Echuca, Kyabram, Shepparton, Kerang and surrounding areas, capturing enormous amounts of data to form a 3D image of more than 56,000 powerline spans in the area.
Flying at just 300 metres, the helicopters have been fitted with a Riegl sensor system which uses LiDAR scanning technology to accurately measure the distance between any tree branches or other vegetation and the electricity network.
Powercor vegetation management head Hugh Vickers-Willis said the data could be used to create an accurate digital model of the electricity network and its surroundings.
“This data helps ensure we identify which trees to cut, by how much and when,” Mr Vickers-Willis said.
“This is all about community safety and it’s something we’re continuing to invest in as we work to keep the network safe and reliable.”
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