Bushfire aerial patrols
Each year, we use drones to inspect all powerlines in bushfire prone areas as part of our Pre-Summer Bushfire Inspection program.
This involves inspecting over 180,000 power poles in and around bushfire prone areas often across rugged terrain. These aerial patrols help prevent bushfires by identifying where we need to repair equipment before the start of the bushfire season.
Previously, we used helicopters for these inspections. In 2024, we began using drones to offer a quieter and more accurate way of inspecting the lines. Drones have less of an impact on our customers with flight paths directly following powerlines, reducing the need to fly above properties and farmland.
The drones are equipped with high-resolution cameras and advanced sensors. This means we can conduct detailed inspections with a high level of accuracy and speed, even in hard-to-reach areas. While their technology will ensure they only capture pictures of our electrical assets, and not surrounding properties.
The drones are operated by licensed pilots and within CASA regulations under the authority of Endeavour Energy's Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operators Certificate.
Information of drone use
Further information about the use of drones and your privacy is available here.
Customer notification
All customers will be notified via SMS in the lead up to a drone flying near their property. Make sure we have your latest contact details to receive text messages from us.
We also maintain a list of registered customers to be notified by phone two business days before flights near their property to minimise inconvenience to residents and livestock during aerial surveys.
To receive more information, or be registered on the pre-flight contact list, please call 131 003 during business hours or complete our contact form. Feedback on the program can also be provided through our contact form.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Endeavour Energy inspect the poles?
85% of the Endeavour Energy region is within bushfire prone areas. To ensure we keep our network safe, we inspect over 13,000 kilometres of powerlines located in bushfire prone areas every year so we can identify and repair equipment before the bushfire season.
How can I spot an Endeavour Energy drone?
Our drones can be easily spotted. They are fluorescent orange and will only fly above the powerlines. They will also be followed by an Endeavour Energy vehicle marked “Drone aerial inspections”
Will you take a picture of my home?
The drones will only fly above powerlines. They will stop to capture an image at the top of each power pole. The technology of the drones ensures the image is only of the electrical asset, and not surrounding properties. Here’s an example of what we capture.
Do you need to access my property?
In more rural areas, some of our electrical assets are located on our customer’s properties, or only accessible by travelling through a customer’s property as our drone pilots must always be able to see the drone. To inspect these assets we do need to access customer properties. If this is the case we will contact you directly.
Does Endeavour Energy have approval to fly drones?
Endeavour Energy’s drone program operates under a Remote Operator’s Certificate (ReOC) that includes special conditions approved by the Civic Aviation Safety Authority.
Endeavour Energy currently holds an Operations over and near people approval (OONP) Instrument Number - CASA.RPAS.0867. Endeavour Energy also operates under a CASA issued general exemption EX 45/24 to allow flights in a populous area.
More information about these authorisation can be found here.