A $17 million investment has been announced that would duplicate the Benalla-Euroa power line, a major response to nearly a year straight of powerful community advocacy to improve the region’s power reliability.
The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, announced that following multimillion dollars improvements to better respond to power outages, AusNet was continuing their investment with a major project set to take the strain away from the single powerline servicing the region.
“I’m so proud of what we have achieved as a community,” Ms Cleeland said.
“The relentless advocacy of our residents has ensured our towns are getting the attention and power reliability they deserve.”
This week, AusNet announced the completion of several infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving the reliability of the local power network across the Euroa region.
The announcement follows significant power outages in towns like Euroa, Nagambie, Violet Town, and Longwood that left thousands of local residents without electricity for hours at a time.
The recent works included removing hazardous vegetation, animal proofing, and the installation of “TripSavers”, “Intellirupters”, and other technical works to improve the reliability and safety of the power line.
Within AusNet’s statement, it was also revealed that a $17 million project to construct an express powerline from Benalla to Euroa was being submitted to the Australian Energy Regulator.
This would provide the region with a secondary power supply, taking strain away from the existing one.
Ms Cleeland, who has been consistently advocating for improvements to the region’s power supply, welcomed the upgrades and the news of a second powerline.
“Unfortunately, over the last summer and for much of this year, too many households and businesses in the Euroa region have suffered due to regular and prolonged power outages,” Ms Cleeland said.
“It was pleasing to hear that several upgrades have now been completed that are expected to improve the reliability of the energy supply for our residents.
“In particular, I am thrilled to be hearing that a second powerline is being proposed. This is something our community has been requesting for the better part of a year, and it is so satisfying to see this advocacy be rewarded.
“While I am optimistic that these changes will provide more energy security to our residents, it will take until the summer when the power is at its most volatile to ensure these changes deliver tangible change for locals.”
Upgrades already completed include the cancellation of non-critical planned outages, adding more support crews in the region, relocation of the scouting helicopter, repairing defective equipment, reviewing fault restoration policies, and surveying local vegetation.
AusNet will be seeking feedback on the proposal of the second powerline prior to submitting to the Australian Energy Regulator.
