With summer fast approaching AusNet is upgrading and preparing the network for bushfire season.
AusNet will be undertaking extensive bushfire mitigation works in East Gippsland, with 100 maintenance jobs and 80 crew scheduled to undertake works over 19 and 20 October 2024.
AusNet Executive General Manager Distribution, Andrew Linnie, said that to safely complete these works, around 8,000 AusNet customers will be without power throughout the weekend, between 8:00am to 4.30pm.
“We know its inconvenient to be without electricity, but by completing the work across one weekend rather than across a week or longer, we are able to minimise the impact on local businesses, schools and residents.”
In addition to 80 crew members there will be 20 trucks, several cranes and six specialised pole removal vehicles involved in completing the maintenance works.
“We’ll be replacing wooden poles with concrete and titan poles, which will provide greater resilience in the event of bushfires."
“We’ll also be replacing or upgrading cross-arms, insulators and conductors along the network.”
AusNet will also be conducting pre-summer aerial patrols as part of our broader bushfire safety maintenance works.
“Crews will be inspecting our 66kV powerlines to ensure the electricity supply across our network remains safe and reliable as we head into summer,” said Mr Linnie.
Traffic management crews will be on location over the weekend to guide people safely through works areas. This could result in delays to travel times in the area, so please make allowances when planning your travel.
Crews will begin works near Bairnsdale on Saturday 19 October, moving east towards Nowa Nowa. On Sunday 20 October, works will continue east along the network towards Cann River, with additional works to be completed further east near Gipsy Point, Noorinbee and Noorinbee North.
“Impacted customers have already received a letter, email or SMS with details of any planned interruptions, so please check these for details of when you are likely to be without power” said Mr Linnie.
For more information, visit Bushfire mitigation works in East Gippsland.