Flying-Fox Power Line Electrocution

Multiple Animal Electrocutions in the Same Location - Electrocution Hot Spot.

Flying Fox babies are repeatedly requiring rescue from the same spot where their mothers continue to be electrocuted due to exposed power lines. 

These Electrocution Hot Spots occur because power lines either run through or close to fig trees or flowering Eucalyptus trees where flying-foxes forage for food. Certainly trimming the trees is not an option because it removes the food source for wildlife and reduces the tree's canopy which is both detrimental to the aesthetic of the suburb and also to the mitigation of hot summer temperatures.

Ausgrid has previously stated in correspondence that they only replace wires which require repair or maintenance with bundled cable. In other words, there is no program to proactively replace the wires with bundled cable where it impacts our wildlife. This attitude is no longer acceptable in NSW, Queensland, Victoria or anywhere in Australia.

Electricity Distribution Companies which own, maintain and operate electrical networks in Australia, have a responsibility to ensure that its assets have minimal impact on wildlife.

We ask that you take action with us to MAKE SOME NOISE targeting whoever the Electrical Network Company is in your area. It may be Endeavour Energy, Essential Energy, ENERGEX Limited, Ausgrid, AusNet Services, Ergon Energy, Victoria Power Networks Pty Ltd and so on........ 

For example, we suggest writing a letter of complaint to you local energy provider using the links below:

AUSGRID NSW

ENERGEX QLD

ENERGY SAFE VIC

SA POWER NETWORK SA

WESTERN POWER WA

Example letter:

Dear Ausgrid, 

In situations of multiple animal electrocution (two or more) at the same location Ausgrid continues to fail to insulate, bundle or otherwise make the wires safe. It is entirely unacceptable for female flying foxes, with a pup on board, to be killed at locations where the wires are known to be unsafe and where flying foxes, or birds, or possums, have died previously. 

Ausgrid needs to formulate a policy not just of assisting rescuers to retrieve orphaned flying fox pups but of actively preventing recurrence. 

It is important that Ausgrid's Asset Management Group understand, that the cost of cherry pickers, trucks, the labour costs of linesmen including the time taken to either rescue and/or remove dead flying-foxes, large birds and possums, would be significantly more than a section of aerial bundled cable installed in a notorious Electrocution Hot Spot.

Ausgrid has previously stated in correspondence that they only replace wires which require repair or maintenance with bundled cable, in other words, there is no program to proactively replace the wires with bundled cable. This attitude is no longer acceptable in NSW, Queensland or Victoria.

Kind Regards,

Message from our friend Lawrence Pope:

President: Friends of Bats & Bush Care Inc. Victoria

'I am the president of the Friends of Bats & Bushcare Inc group in Victoria (A Parks Victoria `Friends Of` Bats' group) and am responding to the distress of our colleagues in NSW. Active wire insulating is common in Victoria when multiple animal electrocution occurs. I have been asked to assist in generating a campaign to bring this issue to the attention of the public and the government. My hope is that progress can be made without unnecessary time wasting or negative publicity. Thank you'.

Flying-Fox Supporters concurs with Lawrence Pope's view and suggests that FFS supporters and members write a similar complaint to Ausgrid or to whoever their Electricity Distribution Company may be.

Nearby residents contacted both Ausgrid and WIRES seeking a solution in the following 'Hot Spots'.

* Chalmers Street, Prince Alfred Park, Surry Hills, Sydney NSW

* Intersection of Catherine Street & Mount Vernon Street, Forest Lodge, Sydney NSW

* Lyons Road, East of Great North Road, Five Dock, Sydney NSW (large fig trees overhang electrified wires)

Negotiation with Ausgrid about insulating the wires at these two locations to prevent multiple animal electrocutions is ongoing.

We would also like to make a special mention to iNaturalist, which is a project created to encourage people to lodge sightings of flying-foxes killed and injured on powerlines: This project has been initiated by Dr John Martin, Research Scientist, Taronga Conservation Society Australia: 

Email: jmartin@zoo.nsw.gov.au

Letter of support from Clover Moore: