DRONES were in the top five presents at Christmas and Energex have put out a warning to keep the tech savvy toys away from powerlines.
The announcement came after a rise in numbers of drones that have had to be removed from the state- owned electricity company’s infrastructure.
The Annual Report 2022-2023 from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority estimated that 1.8 million Australians owned and flew drones for sport or recreation, with that number to expected to have grown in the past 12 months.
Energex area manager Renee Kath told media last Tuesday that its field workers had seen a number of drone collisions with their infrastructure.
“We’ve steadily seen a rise in the number of drones being flown into powerlines, and unfortunately, it’s not just a nuisance; it can be dangerous,” Ms Kath said.
“In some cases, a drone stuck in powerlines has caused extended power outages, affecting thousands of homes and businesses.
“It’s important that people understand the risks involved and take care to avoid flying near any of our electricity assets.”
Scyne Advisory for Airservices Australia conducted a study into future growth in the drones and air mobility market throughout the country, with results suggesting large expansion.
The commercial drone market is predicted to grow by an average of 20% per year over the next 20 years to reach 60 million flights by 2043.
While drones can offer hours of fun, Ms Kath warns that flying them near powerlines poses serious safety concerns.
“The last thing anyone wants is for their Christmas present to end up tangled in a live powerline, bringing down powerlines and causing a risk to anyone nearby,” she said.
“We recommend parents supervise children who are using drones to ensure they don’t fly anywhere near these hazards.
“And if the worst occurs and a drone gets caught in powerlines, substations, or transformers, it is vital that you don’t try and remove it because there’s a real risk of a life-threatening electric shock or worse.”
