September 25, 2015
Ergon Energy is appealing for land owners considering a burn-off to take care around its infrastructure to avoid power poles being accidentally set on fire.
The number of poles damaged during last year’s fire season dropped significantly, but Ergon is still urging people to be vigilant.
In 2011-12, 141 poles were destroyed by fire throughout Ergon Energy’s electricity region in rural Queensland; this dropped to 11 in 2012-13, 35 in 2013-14 and 27 last financial year.
“The vast majority of last year’s incidents – 17 – were from grass and bush fire activity with just two attributed to land owner burn offs – a very pleasing outcome,” general manager Steve Leighton said.
“It would appear from the figures that property owners are heeding the messages we put out annually about controlled burns.”
Poles can be destroyed by bushfires, grassfires, landowner burn-offs, fires started by lightning, and pole-related issues.
Ergon Energy has more than one million power poles across regional Queensland.
“While last year’s figures are very welcome, we also need to be mindful that favourable conditions in at least some parts of the State have produced an abundance of on-ground fuel and a heightened level of alert,” Mr Leighton said.
“Another important factor to consider is that pole fires pose a potential serious safety risk to the community. Obviously when a pole is burnt down the power lines are brought down as well.”
Mr Leighton asked landowners who see a pole alight to alert Ergon Energy and the fire authorities by dialling 000.
“Attempt to put the fire out if it is safe to do and is contained to the lower base area of the pole,” Mr Leighton said.
