Coast included in emergency bunker and resilience plan

THE Victorian government is preparing to announce locations and funding for emergency fallout centres across the region and plans to increase network resilience in bushfire and storm-affected towns.

Stakeholders including electricity distributors Powercor and AusNet Services have assisted in preparing the Energy Resilience Design Studies which determines the feasibility of back-up power systems for essential services and community hubs along with large microgrids to boost the energy security of entire towns.

Each have been developed in response to the June and October 2021 major storm events that led to prolonged power outages in numerous towns and areas, as well the Black Saturday and Black Summer bushfires that devastated much of Victoria and Australia’s east coast.

The Surf Coast Shire Council is one of 14 Victorian councils that has been consulted by government and relevant departments including the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) on local areas of need, and the location of new emergency centres.

The inter-agency consultation process has also included talking to local community groups and site owners, Bushfire Recovery Victoria, Monash University, CFA, SES, Water Authorities, Sustainability Victoria, DELWP Water and Catchments Group, ARENA, Telstra, NBNCo, Emergency Management Victoria.

Lorne and Apollo Bay have each been named as possible sites for refuge centres and the Victorian government is expected to announce funding for several facilities prior to the November 26, state election.

“With climate change set to increase the frequency and intensity of storms, we’re developing solutions that can minimise the impacts of power outages during extreme weather events,” a government spokesperson said.