Parts of Central Darling Shire are suffering a power emergency which could last up to 20 days. Wilcannia, White Cliffs and Menindee are isolated without power and the Telstra mobile coverage is a major incident with limited or non-existent phone coverage.

Fuel supplies are affected, particularly with the need to power generators.

The local Emergency Management Committee has been meeting since the situation occurred to ensure any issues are quickly identified to protect the wellbeing of residents.

Issues identified so far surround access to communications, fuel supplies and food security due to refrigeration systems not working.

The Local Emergency Management Committee brings together organisations including Police, RFS, SES, Heath, Education, Transport, Welfare Services, Aboriginal Affairs, NSW Reconstruction Authority, WaterNSW, Essential Water, National Parks and Wildlife and Regional NSW.

Organisations are being briefed with the latest information about the situation and sharing ideas and resources to assist where they can.

At this stage organisations are working on a number of issues including sourcing additional communications devices to provide service, sourcing additional generators, resolving a fuel issue with service station pumps not working, planning for potential food security problems, monitoring information regarding schools and whether they will stay open, and clarifying the situation with aviation fuel at airports.

With communities still without power there are locations available for residents to charge their mobile phones.

Residents in Menindee, White Cliffs and Wilcannia can charge their mobile phones at the following locations: Menindee SES from midday, White Cliffs SES, White Cliffs Hotel (also residents can talk to Matt and Sarah about available freezer space), Wilcannia Council Chambers, and Wilcannia Golf Club after 1pm daily.

People can talk to the SES about small generators for essential services up to 5KVA ONLY.