Some small measure of relief is becoming available to the affected people and businesses in Ivanhoe, Menindee, Broken Hill, Tibooburra, Wilcannia, White Cliffs and other surrounding communities impacted by the power outages.

The NSW Government has announced 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 available as soon as possible through Service NSW.

If you live in Menindee, head down to the Menindee Civic Hall on the corner of Yartla and Perry Street today, Tuesday October 29, from 10am to 3pm.

If you're in Wilcannia, head down today from 10am to 3pm to the Wilcannia Community Hall, 78 Woore Street.

If you are located in White Cliffs, head down tomorrow, Wednesday October 30 to White Cliffs Sporting Club (Beth Street) from 10 am to 3pm.

For Tibooburra, head down tomorrow from 11am to 2pm to Albert Hall, 34 Briscoe Street.

This follows the severe storm that destroyed seven Transgrid transmission towers on Thursday 17 October, causing significant disruption to the supply of electricity to remote 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, and 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.

“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,” Independent Member for Barwon, Roy Butler said.

"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.”

https://.www.energy.nsw.gov.au/disruption