Transgrid bush fire prevention work

3D laser aerial scanning spearheads Transgrid’s annual bushfire prevention

To help protect local communities from the risk of bushfires, Transgrid has completed a rigorous program of helicopter and drone inspections, aerial imagery, 3D laser scanning, and thermographic surveying across more than 13,000 kilometres of transmission lines since April this year.

About half of Transgrid’s annual maintenance expenditure is directed to mitigating bushfire risk, with more than 3,000 vegetation management and network maintenance tasks completed across the network in the off-season between April and September this year.

Executive General Manager of Network Jason Krstanoski said “We must remain vigilant in managing bushfire risks associated with our transmission assets to ensure the safety of our people, network and local communities,” he said. “While the risk across all of NSW remains normal this year, Spring is expected to bring above-average rainfall, which may reduce fire risk early on but could also spur grass growth in central and western regions, raising the potential for fires later in the season if conditions become drier.”

 Transgrid’s 2025 bushfire safety management program included: 

• A 3D laser aerial survey of easements across the entire network using LiDAR technology to identify vegetation growing too close to transmission lines;
• An extensive vegetation management program with on-the-ground teams assessing and mitigating potential vegetation encroachments;
• Helicopter and drone inspections and aerial imagery of the network to physically assess the condition of towers and lines;
• On-the-ground teams carrying out network inspections and maintenance to avoid potential bushfire hazards; and
• Thermographic surveying of substations to identify and address any required asset upgrades.

NSW Rural Fire Service Deputy Commissioner Ben Millington said every bit of preparation ahead of the bushfire season is crucial. “Following a number of wet years, we’re seeing very high fuel loads right across the state, particularly in our grasslands,”