Covered Conductor Program

As part of network upgrades to improve safety, we are replacing approximately 5.1km of bare high voltage wires with covered wires. Works are being completed in the high bushfire risk areas of Red Hill, Balnarring, Tuerong and Somerville.

The covered wires aim to significantly reduce the possibility of fire caused by vegetation falling onto powerlines and reduce the need for ongoing tree trimming.

As well as replacing wires, we will:

• Replace some power poles.
• Upgrade existing pole-top substations.
• Install new poles so that power lines are at a safe height to meet vegetation clearance requirements.

We’ll complete this work throughout mid to late 2024, in the lead up to summer.

To keep our crews and the community safe during these upgrades, we will need to close roads and conduct planned power outages in some areas. We will notify those directly affected by these impacts.

Some power poles and other electrical assets are located on private properties. In these cases, we will contact property owners to arrange access.