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Helicopter inspections provide a bird’s eye view of the network to identify any obvious faults or potential defects we might miss from the ground. Not all inspections can be done by helicopter and will be patrolled from the ground if required.

Aerial patrols also form part of our annual maintenance program to inspect our powerlines and other assets in bushfire risk areas. We do this to ensure our network is safe and reliable, and meets the higher demand for power in the warmer months.

Risks we look for include:

  • vegetation close to powerlines
  • birds’ nests
  • low hanging powerlines
  • damaged equipment.
     

Using a helicopter also reduces the impact on properties as there’s no need to drive through paddocks or crops. We recommend moving livestock from paddocks with powerlines when we’re doing inspections in your area, as the helicopter may hover at low heights.


Dates of powerline inspections by helicopter

We conduct aerial inspections of powerlines across different regions of South Australia according to the schedule below. Powerline inspections via helicopter typically start from mid-May and will be completed prior to the start of the CFS fire danger season dates. Please note that dates are approximate and are subject to change.

See a map and indicative schedule for 2025 inspection dates in your region below.

Aerial Inspections Map 2025

 

Eyre and Upper North 

District Date*
Ceduna 5 May - 18 May
Cleve 16 June - 6 July
Cummins 30 June - 13 July
Hawker 21 July - 27 July
Port Augusta  21 July - 27 July
Port Lincoln  14 July - 20 July
Streaky Bay  12 May - 25 May
Wudinna  19 May - 15 June

 

Fleurieu and Barossa

District Date*
Gawler 1 September - 14 September
Kangaroo Island 15 September - 28 September
Mclaren Vale 22 September - 28 September
Nuriootpa 18 August - 31 August
Strathalbyn 29 September - 12 October
Victor Harbor 29 September - 12 October

 

Hills and Metro

District Date*
Gumeracha 29 September - 5 October
Metro 33/66kv 29 September - 5 October
Mount Barker 29 September - 5 October
Noarlunga 29 September - 5 October

 

Mid North

District Date*
Burra 16 June - 29 June
Clare 26 May - 15 June
Gladstone 21 July - 10 August
Kadina 25 August - 7 September
Maitland 1 September - 14 September
Port Pirie 11 August - 17 August
Riverton 23 June - 20 July
Yorketown 15 September - 21 September

 

Murrayland

District Date*
Coonalpyn 28 July - 17 August
Lameroo 18 August - 31 August
Mannum 15 September - 28 September
Murray Bridge 1 September - 14 September

 

Riverland

District Date*
Barmera 28 July - 3 August
Loxton 28 July - 17 August
Waikerie 11 August - 24 August

 

South East

District Date*
Bordertown 7 July - 20 July
Millicent 2 June - 15 June
Mount Gambier 19 May - 1 June
Naracoorte 16 June - 6 July

 

* Dates are subject to change.

Not all inspections can be done by helicopter and some areas will be patrolled from the ground if required. We may need access to your property in some instances.

 

Other ways we inspect powerlines

Powerline inspections by aerial drones

Powerline inspections by robots