THE Victorian Government’s Powerline Bushfire Safety Program has led to a huge reduction in bushfire risk, following the release of an independent report from engineering company Aurecon.
In the report, it states that the program has achieved a 44 per cent reduction in powerline bushfire risk across the state, with work being carried across rural and regional Victoria to implement changes.
The program which has cost $750 million is the biggest powerline safety project in Australia, and was implemented following the royal commission into the 2009 Black Saturday fires across parts of Victoria.
The royal commission found that more than 70 per cent of deaths in the Black Saturday fires were caused by fires started by electrical infrastructure, with work carried out to prevent these issues in the aftermath.
The program includes electricity asset and network control measures including the installation of giant safety switches, also known as Rapid Earth Fault Current Limiters (REFCLs).
These switches, which have been installed in high-risk bushfire areas, prevent fires by shutting off a powerline’s power when it makes contact with vegetation.
With the second stage of the REFCL roll-out complete, and the third stage in progress by the end of May 2023 more than 30,000km of powerlines across rural and regional Victoria will be protected.
The program has also included the Powerline Replacement Fund, which has seen more than 700 kilometres of bare wire powerlines replaced with underground or insulated overhead conductors to further prevent risk in these areas.
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio was proud of the results achieved, with the money spent on these measures an investment on the safety of Victorians in high-risk bushfire areas.
“The Powerline Bushfire Safety Program has delivered on its promise to significantly reduce the risk of bushfires started by bare-wire powerlines,” she said.
Research and testing has been a major part of the program, with electrical infrastructure being investigated regarding its impact on bushfires, and how that can be improved to minimise risk heading into the future.
With further investment which is detailed in the 2021/2022 budget, Mrs D’Ambrosio said the Victorian Government will continue to work on reducing bushfire risk in the state.
“This program along with our record $517 million investment in the 2021/2022 budget to reduce bushfire risk is helping to keep Victorians safe,” she said.
Other parts of the program also included a reduced risk of electrocution for those people working near powerlines as well as promoting local industry development and creating jobs in relevant sectors.
