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.
Identifying issues to help keep our communities safe
We use drones as a core part of how we inspect and maintain our electricity network safely, accurately and with minimal disruption to the community.
Our drone program supports year-round inspections across urban, rural and remote areas, helping us identify potential issues early and prioritise maintenance before faults or safety risks occur. Drones allow our teams to capture high-quality imagery of powerlines, poles and associated infrastructure, including assets that are difficult to access by foot or vehicle.
Since 2024, drones have increasingly replaced helicopters for many inspection tasks. They provide a quieter, more precise and less intrusive way to inspect our network, with flight paths that closely follow powerlines and reduce the need to fly over private properties and farmland.
All drone inspections are carried out by licensed pilots in accordance with Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations, under Endeavour Energy’s Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operator Certificate. Our drones are equipped with high-resolution cameras and sensors designed to capture images of electrical assets only, supporting both safety and privacy.
Pre-summer bushfire inspections
Ahead of each bushfire season, we carry out targeted drone inspections across bushfire-prone areas to help reduce the risk of fires starting near the electricity network.
These pre-summer inspections focus on identifying equipment that may need repair or maintenance before the higher-risk months begin. Each year, more than 160,000 power poles and associated infrastructure are inspected across rugged terrain and high-risk locations.
Using drones allows us to safely and efficiently inspect assets in areas that are difficult to reach, while minimising disruption to local communities. The detailed imagery captured helps our teams identify potential issues earlier and take preventative action before conditions become more dangerous.
This proactive approach is an important part of how we help protect communities, property and the environment during bushfire season.
Aerial inspections
In addition to pre-summer bushfire programs, we use drones throughout the year to support ongoing aerial inspections of our electricity network.
These inspections help us monitor asset condition, identify emerging faults and respond more quickly to potential reliability or safety concerns. Drone inspections reduce the need for manual climbing or vehicle access and provide a critical aerial view that is not possible from the ground.
Compared to traditional methods such as helicopters, drones are quieter, more precise and less intrusive. They allow us to inspect infrastructure efficiently while reducing impacts on customers, the surrounding environment and nearby properties.
By using drones as part of our regular inspection program, we can better maintain a safe, reliable and resilient electricity network for the communities we serve.
Aerial powerline inspections
Learn how we implement our annual pre-bushfire season powerline inspections.
Customer notifications
All customers are notified via SMS in the lead up to a drone flying near their property. To minimise inconvenience to residents and livestock during aerial surveys, we also maintain a list of registered customers to be notified by phone, two business days before any scheduled flights near their property.
Make sure that you receive a text message notification of when a drone will be near your property, by ensuring that we have your latest contact details on file.
To receive more information, or be registered on the pre-flight contact list, please call 131 003 or complete our contact form below.
Our drone inspectionsÂ
At Endeavour Energy, we are committed to maintaining the highest safety and reliability standards for our electricity network. As part of our efforts, we use drones to conduct inspections and maintenance of our assets.
We understand that this can raise privacy concerns, and we want to assure our customers that we take these matters seriously.
Why does Endeavour Energy use drones?
Why does Endeavour Energy use drones?
Does Endeavour Energy have approval to fly drones?
Does Endeavour Energy have approval to fly drones?
How can I spot an Endeavour Energy drone?
How can I spot an Endeavour Energy drone?
Do you need to access my property?
Do you need to access my property?
Respecting your privacy
Respecting your privacy
Photos from our inspections
Photos from our inspections
References
References
