SA Power Networks has installed newly-designed equipment to help protect endangered sea birds near Port Lincoln, as part of its latest local construction project, setting a new standard for its electricity network approach in high-risk bird habitats across the state.

More than three kilometers of new line will be energised on Friday to supply SA Water’s desalination plant. It extends the electricity network from the main city substation to the new facility at Billy Lights Point, running near the habitats of the endangered eastern osprey, as well as white-bellied sea eagles. Port Lincoln is an important nesting area for the osprey, with at least 26 breeding pairs in the region. 

SA Power Networks Environment and Cultural Heritage Manager Eirin Lawton said that the previous approach was to retrospectively install these protections after repeated contact with birds has occurred, rather than incorporating them into initial construction.

“We are proud to help protect some of the unique natural features which make parts of South Australia so special,” Ms Lawton said.

“Being able to shield infrastructure from bird impact not only helps protect the species, but it also helps ensure the safe and reliable supply of electricity to customers. Therefore, it makes sense to make these protections a construction design standard around species like these, rather than waiting for problems to arise.”

The large wing-span of these birds of prey means their wings can potentially bridge live wires when flying between them, or bridge the gap between the pole top and wire. This can electrocute the bird and also disrupt the supply of electricity.

The new line features animal guards on all 35 poles to prevent the wings of birds dropping down and making contact with wires if they perch on top, and visible markers along the line between each pole. The markers deter the birds from flying near or through the lines, which they might otherwise not be able to detect.

Traditional spinning Rotamarka deflectors have been installed below the lines. But the weight of deflectors on upper lines was an issue. Local Port Lincoln Senior Project Officer Matthew Stigwood worked with designers to conduct extensive research and testing, and developed a new style of deflector for installation. This approach will be the new design standard for SA Power Networks going forward where there are known to be nesting and breeding habitats of high-risk bird populations.

SA Power Networks works closely with Birds SA to make improvements more broadly across the state to reduce impacts on native bird species.

Anyone who sees birds of prey perching on power poles where guards have not been installed can report to the SA Power Networks reliability team through the email address, customerservice@sapowernetworks.com.au, providing a GPS location, or through Birds SA, and an inspection of the pole will be carried out.