STAFF WRITERS
THE Network Outage Review has been released, with the state government supporting all 19 recommendations in full, in part, or in principle.
The state government initiated the independent Network Outage Review following the superstorm of February 13 last year, which caused widespread damage to around 12,000 kilometres of powerlines lines, and left more than 531,000 customers off power supply at its peak.
Mirboo North was one of the hardest hit towns in the state, and clean-up efforts are still ongoing.
In response to the review, the government will strengthen oversight and accountability of electricity businesses, by requiring them to report on their emergency risk management practices annually, including emergency resources, systems, processes and arrangements with contractors to do repair works.
The state government says implementing these recommendations will ensure Victoria’s privately-owned electricity transmission and distribution businesses are better equipped to prevent, prepare for, and respond to severe weather events.
“We’re making sure privately-owned power companies put Victorians first when responding to storm events and make reconnecting Victorians to power supply their priority,” Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio said.
“These changes make sure privately-owned power companies are ready to respond, involving them in emergency planning early and ensuring they have enough resources in the right places to undertake emergency repairs.”
The review was led by an independent expert panel, which met with affected communities and ensured that the electricity businesses heard first-hand the experiences of those impacted.
The government will also help Victorians impacted by prolonged outages get access to emergency funds sooner. The Extended Loss of Supply Support Payment Scheme (ELOSS Payment) will require distribution businesses to financially support customers during prolonged power outages after 72 hours. The final design of this scheme and payment amounts will be subject to consultation.
The state government will also formalise resource sharing arrangements between all network businesses to ensure they have the right staff in the right place for a quick response to outages and reduce restoration times for customers.
Distribution businesses will also have to participate in Regional Emergency Management Planning Committees and participate in emergency exercises.
Latrobe Valley homes and businesses battled two huge storm events last year, in February and late August/early September.
The first of the two severe weather events for the latter occurred overnight from Tuesday, August 27 to Wednesday, August 28, as winds swept past the Latrobe Valley and surrounding regions.
The second instance was again overnight from Sunday, September 1 to Monday, September 2, which saw Watch and Act warnings across the state, as wind speeds were anticipated up to 130km/h.
Somewhat ironically, the Gippsland New Energy Conference was held in Traralgon the day after the severe weather event of September 2. Ms D’Ambrosio was in Traralgon for the event.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan was in Mirboo North in the days following the February storm, and announced the joint state and federal government’s Prolonged Power Outage Payment Plan to assist those most affected.
Households without power for seven days after the storm hit were offered $1920 per week for up to three weeks, while small businesses were eligible for payments of $2927.
“We want this payment to be processed as easily as possible for customers to be able to access,” the Premier said at the time.
“(This is) acknowledging that there are still many communities, many power customers who are facing prolonged periods of power outage.”
