Four transmission towers have been erected as the clean-up starts after the huge storms that have left the city in darkness.

NSW Minister for Climate Change, Heritage and Energy Penny Sharpe was in the city over the weekend to survey the damage and situation. She spoke to the public Saturday and Sunday.

On Sunday, she said had visited the site where the towers were being replaced.

Once all seven towers are up, the conductors will be strung and once they are clipped in and it is safe to do so, the towers will be energised, according to the Transgrid spokesman at the press conference on Sunday.

Minister Sharpe offered her gratitude to the many staff who had been working hard to rectify the situation.

“There are two towers up and we are seeing a third one getting put into place. We are hopeful for a fourth today but that is subject to the wind,” she said on Sunday.

“For the second night in a row, power remained on to the full region – thanks to the network of generators that are servicing the area.

“All customers of the Far West have power, there was no need for load shedding during yesterday’s evening peak.”

Minister Sharpe said there is not any planned outages for the next 48 hours.

The main back up generator is operational, she said.

She said the solar battery is being tested and will be ready to help with peaks in power.

Minister Sharpe and Barwon Member Roy Butler also visited Tibooburra, Milparinka and Packsaddle on Saturday afternoon.

Minister Sharpe did remind people to lower electricity usage at 5.30pm to help with peak energy times and prevent any trips to power.

Power was restored to the last customers at 11.30am Saturday and there were no further load shedding occurrences.

“The four portable generators Essential Energy has commissioned are operational and are supplying Wilcannia, Menindee, White Cliffs and Silverton,” Minister Sharpe said during her Saturday press conference.

“Transgrid has synchronised the bank of portable generators but did not need to turn those on to meet demand.

“I would just like to acknowledge they now have 100 staff to accommodate.

“Transgrid is connecting another two banks of portable generators to be available to meet the evening peak from (Sunday) night. More generation is coming in all the time.

“Thank the local workers who are working 24/7, they’re doing incredible work – I know they are tired, but we are incredibly grateful for all their efforts.”

Local Essential Energy teams have been supported by extra crews from Albury and Orange, with more arriving tomorrow from right across the state to support the local community and help ensure the most reliable power supply possible for our customers.

The power supply for Essential Energy customers across the Far West of NSW remained on overnight following the connection of extra generation, and the community minimising their power usage during the peak time of 5.30 – 10.30pm.

Essential Energy’s focus on Sunday was a contingency planning and testing for if the Transgrid generator fails, monitoring of load across the network throughout the day and preparation of smaller generation for critical customers.

“We want to thank the community for the ongoing support, especially with being mindful of their power usage throughout the day. We still need the community to use power during the day as normal, but to switch off non-essential appliances such as pool pumps, clothes dryers, dishwashers and similar between 5.30pm and 10.30pm,” an Essential Energy spokeswoman said.

Recovery Assistance Points

During her Saturday press conference, NSW Minister for Climate Change, Heritage and Energy Penny Sharpe announced that there would be Recovery Assistance Points set up in the city.

“From Tuesday, there will be Recovery Assistance Points to assist people with any other issues they are dealing with,” she said.

“It provides face to face support and resources to help residents and businesses recover.

“It’s also where the food support – both vouchers and hampers will be available.

“The RAPs will be open from 10am – 6pm at the Aged Persons Centre (in Blende Street) and the RFDS Wellbeing Centre (in Blende Street).

“There will be access to mental health services, community not for profit services and Services NSW will also be there.

“There will be a business concierge there to help businesses get information.

“St Vincent de Paul and the Red Cross, Legal Aid and an Insurance counsellor.”

There will also be smaller set ups in Menindee from Tuesday at the Menindee Civic Hall from 10am  – 3pm.

In Wilcannia, also on Tuesday from 11am – 3pm at the Wilcannia Community Hall.

White Cliffs will see a RAP from 10am – 1.30pm at the White Cliffs Sporting Club and on Wednesday at the Tibooburra 11-2pm at Albert Hall.

Information regarding financial payments will be at these points.

This article appeared on A Home in the Outback on 28 October 2024.