AusNet Services customers from Bairnsdale to Mallacoota were affected by planned outages over the weekend as a large-scale maintenance program was conducted on power lines as part of its Summer Safety Program.

The Summer Safety Program works with communities to reduce the risk of bushfire, the weekend’s work involving more than 200 workers across 300 sites conducting maintenance and replacing approximately 80 poles.

One crew in the Nowa Nowa area had to briefly take safe position in the trucks while an inquisitive red belly black snake inspected the site before slithering on.

“We would like to say a big thank you to the community for their patience while we conducted this important bushfire mitigation work,” an AusNet Services spokeswoman said.

“We understand the inconvenience of being without electricity and we sincerely thank our customers.”

She said now is the time to prepare for summer and work together to reduce the risk of bushfire in our communities.

“While we’re preparing the network for summer we encourage our customers to start preparing their bushfire plans,” she said.

“During a bushfire, you may experience interruptions to your electricity and/or gas supply, even if your property isn’t directly affected.

“For this reason, your bushfire contingency plan should factor in a possible loss of gas and electricity.”

Contact your local CFA to find out how you can prepare your property for bushfire season