Stage Two of an essential upgrade to a major Ausgrid power line in Muswellbrook (NSW) has begun, with a helicopter airlifting power poles to the location.
Currently two sets of powerlines run along one line of poles. The new line of poles will allow these powerlines to be separated, making the power supply safer and more reliable for all homes and businesses in the Upper Hunter.
The helicopter collects the poles from a storage area at the Muswellbrook subtransmission substation near McCullys Gap and delivers them along the power line route to the northern side of the New England Highway.
Stage One of the work involved installing the poles between the southern side of the highway and the Mitchell Line substation on Mitchell Line Road.
Ausgrid General Manager Network Operations David Pengilly said a helicopter was the safest and most efficient way to deliver the poles.
“The terrain makes it difficult for standard vehicles and cranes to access and install the poles so close to the existing powerlines,” Mr Pengilly said.
“Using the helicopter allows crews to do this work safely, and quickly.”
