Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) has released an information sheet outlining how the risk of bushfire is mitigated across the project lifecycle of an overhead transmission line.

Sections of the information sheet describe how residents in proximity to transmission lines can ensure their own safety when there is a fire in the landscape and how firefighting response is adapted to the presence of transmission network infrastructure.

The Electricity Transmission Lines: bushfire management and community safety information sheet was developed by ESV in partnership with the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner and Victoria’s Country Fire Authority.

ESV chief executive Leanne Hughson says that when maintained and operated properly, transmission lines pose a very low risk of starting a fire: “In order to facilitate the increase in renewable energy, Victoria needs safe and reliable infrastructure to transmit electricity to the community.

“This information sheet outlines how the safety of the community is assured during the development of an electricity transmission network – from design through to decommissioning.”