Pole replacement program

Powercor, will roll out a program to replace or reinforce 7,000 power poles per year, marking a 65% increase and a significant shift in how network safety is proactively managed. 

The planning for the program is informed by a leading-edge asset management approach and which tailors inspection and maintenance activities for each of more than 356,000 wooden power poles. This takes into consideration factors including the type of wood, their age, and prevailing weather conditions at their location. 

Minimising disruptions

The program will roll out across all Powercor regions over the next 5 years based coordinated with other regional asset maintenance activities. Where possible multiple jobs will be bundled together.

Customers will be notified in advance of any works which may impact them, advising if and when power outages are to occur.

In areas where works are taking place there may be temporary changes in traffic conditions and heavy vehicles transporting large loads of new power poles.

Program update

Powercor is committed to keeping communities updated on how our pole replacement and reinforcement program is tracking.

The number of poles being replaced or reinforced has been outlined in Powercor’s bushfire mitigation plan, that is submitted to Energy Safe Victoria.

The number of poles we replace or reinforce monthly varies according to different factors such as weather conditions and access arrangements on agricultural land.

For example, in recent months significant rainfall and flooding events have created unsafe ground conditions and restricted access to parts of the network.

The table below provides a breakdown of how we are performing against our annual targets.

Pole replacement and reinforcement data – as at 31 December, 2022

*Within the 10% tolerance, as agreed under the Bushfire Mitigation Plan.