Drone inspections trial

FAQs

• How will you let customers know when and where the drones will be flying?
  There will be information on social media and our website. We'll also be sending an SMS to customers (whom we have valid mobile numbers for) with properties close to the inspection locations.
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• Why are you trialling drones to inspect power poles?

  Drone inspections are a potential alternative to existing helicopter inspection programs.  Drones provide a safety improvement to both the pilots and public over the use of helicopters that are required to fly in close proximity to the ground and near power distribution assets.  Drones will also mitigate the impacts that  helicopters have on eagles, raptors, livestock and other animals.

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• When and where will the drone inspections occur?
  The drones will be inspecting powerlines in the Sandy Bay, Queenstown to Strahan, and the greater Lilydale areas. It is expected that each area will take two to three days to inspect, undertaken during a two week period between 4-17 April 2022.
   
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• Will you be replacing helicopter inspections with drones?
  At this stage we are just conducting a small trial using drones to test the suitability of the technology for our asset inspections.  This program may be extended in the future dependant on the outcome of this trial.
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• Will you need to access my property?

  Only if the poles we are inspecting are located on your property.  The drone pilots will be escorted by TasNetworks employed Asset Inspectors who are assisting with the trial.

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• Will you be taking photographs of my property?

  The drones will be operating within approximately 10 meters of TasNetworks power poles and will capture close-up images of the TasNetworks assets associated with these power poles. No photos or videos are directly taken of private property or other unrelated assets in the area.

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