Helicopters will fly over parts of north-west Victoria in coming weeks as Powercor uses LiDAR technology to inspect powerlines and measure how close trees and vegetation are growing to the network.

The aerial inspections form part of Powercor’s year-round bushfire mitigation and vegetation management program, with scanning to begin this week around Charlton, Donald and Wychproof before moving to Swan Hill, Mildura, Ouyen and surrounding districts.

Residents may see or hear helicopters flying about 300 metres above the ground. The aircraft use Light Detection and Ranging, known as LiDAR, to measure the distance between tree branches and powerlines.

The data is then used to create detailed 3D models of powerlines and nearby vegetation. Cutting crews use those models to identify where pruning is needed to keep lines clear and reduce the risk of vegetation coming into contact with electrical infrastructure.

Powercor’s Head of Vegetation Management, Ayce Cordy, said annual inspections were an important part of keeping the network safe and reliable.

“Inspecting and managing vegetation growing near powerlines is an essential part of how we keep power safe and reliable for our customers,” Mr Cordy said.

“By capturing data every year, we can track growth rates of vegetation across our network, helping us plan where to cut right now and when we may need to conduct cutting in the future.”

Powercor uses a fleet of three helicopters each year to inspect 100 per cent of more than 77,000 kilometres of powerlines across western Victoria.

The program is particularly important in areas with higher bushfire risk, where larger clearance zones are required under rules regulated by Energy Safe Victoria.

Powercor said its trained cutting crews can enter private property to prune trees back from powerlines, as well as carry out work on public land across the network.

For private properties, customers are usually notified when cutting is required at their address. Crews then complete the pruning work and return to remove debris.

However, Powercor said advance notice may not always be possible when urgent cutting is identified.

The inspections are part of broader efforts to manage fire risk, protect power supply and ensure vegetation is kept clear of electrical assets before dangerous summer conditions return.