Hornsby State Liberal MP Matt Kean has welcomed Ausgrid's announcement that electrical crews will be patrolling Sydney's north this month to check for hazards on the electricity network in the lead up to this year's bushfire danger period.
Mr Kean said inspectors will be on the ground and in helicopters looking for defects such as trees growing too close to powerlines in bushfire-prone areas within the Ausgrid network.
Ausgrid Chief Operating Officer, Trevor Armstrong, said pre-bushfire season inspections are an important safety measure.
"The entire community shares responsibility for helping reduce the risk of bushfires in our harsh Australian climate," Mr Armstrong said.
"Bushfires can take a devastating toll on people, property and the environment, so we take this effort very seriously."
As well as checking Ausgrid's network, inspectors will be taking a closer look at poles and powerlines on private property to make sure they are also safe.
If any bushfire hazards are found, owners will be issued with a notice requiring the problem to be fixed.
"Frayed wires, damaged poles and trees growing too close to powerlines can all spark a bushfire, and these serious defects should be fixed immediately," Mr Armstrong said.
"We're asking the community to work with us to prevent bushfires by alerting us to any hazards and helping our inspectors check private poles and powerlines for any risks.
"Property owners should ensure their poles and powerlines are safely maintained, using qualified electrical contractors to carry out any repairs."
Anyone with private poles or powerlines on their property can find out more at www.ausgrid.com.au/bushfires or call Ausgrid on 13 13 65. Customers can also report trees growing into powerlines at here.
