If you spot a helicopter flying low over parts of the Illawarra during the next week, there's no need for alarm.
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Endeavour Energy crews will take to the skies from Friday as they prepare for next summer's bushfire season.
Four helicopters - which fly between 200 and 400 metres above the ground, at a speed of about 40km/h, and have been modified to limit noise - will be used in the Kiama area from March 29.
The aerial surveys, completed using light detection and ranging technology that capture images of the network, will then shift to Shellharbour and Wollongong, ending in early April.
Endeavour Energy's general manager of network services Scott Ryan said the view from the helicopters provided "a more thorough inspection of the hardware on the top of poles, as well as getting us to areas inaccessible to vehicles."
Mr Ryan said managing the risks of bushfires was an important part of keeping the community safe.
"We are starting our inspections to identify and complete network repairs before the official start of the bushfire season on October 1," he said.
"The aerial patrols identify where repairs are needed, or trees need to be pruned a safe distance to help prevent bushfires being started by powerlines."
Details: endeavourenergy.com.au/aerialpatrols
