NSW Government and Transgrid announce support package for Far West residents impacted by electrical outage

The NSW Government is today announcing financial support to residents and small-to-medium sized businesses in the Far West of the state impacted by the major electrical outage in the region.

The electrical outage community support package is being delivered by the NSW Government with a contribution from Transgrid. This support will be provided as soon as possible through Service NSW.

This follows the severe storm that destroyed seven Transgrid transmission towers on Thursday 17 October, causing significant disruption to the supply of electricity to the remote communities of Broken Hill, Tibooburra, Wilcannia, Menindee, White Cliffs and other surrounding communities.

Over 12,000 properties have been without power, many for prolonged periods over the past week causing disruptions to families, businesses and community.

The electrical outage community support package will be available to impacted households and small to medium-sized local businesses.

• Payments of $200 will be made available to each of the residential electricity account holders impacted by the outage. These grants will be available via Service NSW.
• Payments of $400 will be made available to impacted small-to-medium businesses. These grants will also be available via Service NSW.
• While these grants are being established, the NSW Government will continue to support people’s immediate needs with pantry staples, fresh produce, food hampers and mobile cold rooms being made available in partnership with Foodbank NSW/ACT at key locations in the Far West to support communities where impacts have been greatest.
• The NSW Government is also bringing together agencies and industry to support longer term recovery needs including working with the insurance sector to provide clear advice to people, charities and mental health support.

The community support package is being provided by the NSW Government and will total $4 million, including a $1.5 million contribution by Transgrid.

This package is in addition to a range of actions the NSW Government has already taken in the week since the power outage.

A Natural Disaster Declaration was swiftly issued, unlocking State-Commonwealth disaster funding for the Broken Hill and Central Darling Shire Local Government Areas, as well as the Far West Unincorporated Area.

The NSW Government has also declared an Electricity Supply Emergency for the Far West region of NSW under the Electricity Supply Act (1995). This declaration allows the Minister for Energy to give directions considered to be necessary to respond to the electricity supply emergency.

The situation remains uncertain with work underway to restore mains power to the region. The region is primarily relying on Transgrid’s large-scale back-up generator while the company constructs interim towers which are expected to be in place by 6 November 2024.

Transgrid and Essential Energy are getting more generators into the region to reduce reliance on the main back-up generator and it’s hoped that will negate the need for rolling blackouts that keep the wider network stable.

To ensure the existing back-up generator can continue to function and meet community needs, particularly during the evening peak, communities are being asked to reduce energy use where possible between 5.30pm and 10.30pm (Australian Central Daylight Time). Key steps include:

• Turning off any non-essential appliances.
• Using lights only in occupied rooms.
• If you are using air conditioning, consider raising the set point temperature to about 26 degrees and close all blinds, windows and doors.

Outside these times, the community should continue to use electricity as they normally would.

Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns said:

“This support package is a critical way to provide much needed relief to the people of the Far West impacted by the outage as we work to get the lights back on and support to those who need it.

“The effects of this prolonged outage are having a significant impact on local residents’ daily lives, that’s why I am in the region today meeting with residents and businesses who have been impacted by this outage.”

Minister for Energy, Penny Sharpe said:

“Electricity is a part of everything we do – at work, at school and at home – and we’re doing everything we can across government to support communities. This will be a challenging time for the next few weeks.

“The best way to avoid load shedding is for households and small businesses to reduce their use of energy during the evening peak of 5.30 to 10.30pm.

“This could be as simple as using the dishwasher during the day rather than at night, or turning off lights when rooms aren’t being used.”

Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib said:

"We have teams on the ground responding to what we know has been a difficult period for the people of Far West NSW, and today’s package is an important addition to the support already announced under the Natural Disaster Declaration.

“Emergency response personnel from the Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Service are providing ongoing support for Far West communities, including generators and emergency connectivity. Thank you to the volunteers who are helping communities during this time.”

Independent Member for Barwon, Roy Butler said:

“NSW communities in the Far West region of NSW are experiencing significant hardship across the Far West, and this package will go some way toward addressing the impacts at home and work.

"I wrote to the Premier on Monday asking for compensation for individuals and businesses, and I thank the NSW Government for such a quick response.

“The people of Far West NSW deserve a reliable supply of electricity and a robust back-up system, and the Government is taking action to ensure that is the case going forward.”

CEO Transgrid, Brett Redman said:

“Transgrid acknowledges the impact of the outage and is working with the NSW Government and Essential Energy to do everything we can to reinstate the permanent power supply as soon as practicable.

“Our primary focus is on safely restoring supply and working to minimise impacts to the community. We hope that this financial support goes some way to assisting those impacted during the past week and we again thank the community for their patience.”