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Are transmission lines dangerous in terms of bushfires?
General
Are transmission lines dangerous in terms of bushfires?
We recognise that bushfires are a serious concern in regional Victoria, and landholders and the community have told us that they are concerned the proposed Western Renewables Link may impact firefighting efforts in their area. Potential impacts to fire risk and firefighting efforts are a critical consideration for the planning and design of the Western Renewables Link and we have been engaging regularly with relevant authorities, including the CFA.
In Victoria, transmission lines are highly regulated to ensure they are designed, maintained and operated safely to prevent fire ignition. During operation, Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) audits AusNet to make sure transmission lines are maintained to manage the risk of fire ignition. In compliance with ESV regulations and to ensure the risk of a fire being ignited is minimised, we have i Vegetation Management Plans in place and Bushfire Mitigation Plans for both the distribution and transmission networks. You can view the existing plans on the AusNet website at www.ausnetservices.com.au/about/network-regulation/regulatory-publications.
In the event of a fire near our existing transmission lines, we work with Emergency Management Victoria, Fire Rescue Victoria, Forest Fire Management Victoria and the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and follow all agreed and mandatory directions. The CFA’s standard operating procedures include processes for safely working around high-voltage transmission lines and large pylons in bushfires, and other hazardous conditions. We also work with Emergency Management Victoria and the CFA to ensure aerial firefighting can operate in the vicinity of high-voltage transmission lines.
The WRL Environment Effects Statement includes an assessment of potential bush fire risks associated with project, considering its location in a bush fire prone landscape and outlining measures to minimise risk and ensure safety.
For more detailed information, please refer to Chapter 13 and Technical Report K of the EES, which provide a comprehensive assessment of bushfire-related impacts.
In addition further resources can be viewed: AusNet Services' Managing fire risk - electricity transmission network fact sheet, the Energy Safe Victoria information sheet titled Electricity Transmission Lines – Bushfire Management and Community Safety and CFA’s Firefighting and Transmission Lines FAQs.
