Power to the people – Strathbogie calls on AER to approve essential power upgrades

Strathbogie Shire Council is calling for community support to help ensure essential power upgrades in the region can go ahead.

The council has started a change.org petition calling on the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) to approve plans by AusNet to install an Express Feeder, which would significantly improve power reliability in the region.

The AER rejected the plans last year based on a cost-benefit analysis, but AusNet has lodged the proposal again.

The Council is asking every resident in the Shire to sign the petition to send a loud message to the AER that reliable power is a priority for the shire.

Strathbogie Deputy Mayor Claire Ewart-Kennedy said the Council was urging the AER to reconsider the project using a more holistic framework that also included social resilience, emergency management and regional equity.

“Just last week, our power failed us when we needed it most,” she said. “High temperatures, bushfires raging across the shire and large areas of Strathbogie were without power for days.

“It’s not good enough.

“This is our last chance for five years to get this project approved. We need to let the AER know that Strathbogie residents are sick of the black-outs and we want reliable power.

“It should not be a luxury in modern Australia.”

Power is supplied to approximately 5000 customers across the townships of Euroa, Violet Town and surrounding communities via the BN11 Feeder.

It’s the longest single-line feeder in AusNet’s Victorian network at more than 1200km. There’s no redundancy or alternative supply paths and it’s vulnerable to faults as it runs through bushfire-prone areas and difficult terrain.

Cr Ewart-Kennedy said that when the power goes out, it’s often out for hours or days as the entire feeder line needed to be physically inspected for faults before power could be restored.

“AusNet has proposed the installation of an Express Feeder, which would significantly improve power reliability for a large area of the Shire,” she said.

“We need the AER to give this project the green light.

“Every power outage has a significant impact on households, business and industry, and poses an unacceptable risk to the community.

“We can’t attract business if we don’t have reliable power. Families won’t want to move here if they can’t stay cool in summer and keep their phones charged so they can read emergency warnings.

“Please sign the petition and share it with your friends and family.”

Submissions in support of AusNet’s proposal can be lodged with the AER until 19 January.

The petition can be signed at change.org and search for Strathbogie.