Updated: 21 September 2018

AusNet Services will undertake important fire season preparation work on the 13th and 14th October between 8.00am and 5.00pm. This will require the shutdown of electricity supply for both days of the weekend.

Outages will impact residents and businesses on both days of the weekend in the areas of Sarsfield, Nowa Nowa, Buchan, Orbost Cann River and Mallacoota. Electricity supply will be restored overnight to minimise the impact. 

Customers in the areas of Bruthen, Swifts Creek and Omeo, will form part of the planned outage for Saturday 13th September but will not be part of the Sunday maintenance work.

The large-scale maintenance program will be conducted on power lines connecting Bairnsdale to Mallacoota, as part of its Summer Safety Program.

Notification letters with details of the electricity outage and tips for being without electricity will be issued to impacted customers prior to the outage. Any further queries, please contact us directly on 1300 362 026.

If an unexpected weather event prevents access to the area over the 13th and 14th October, customers should note that the 27th and 28th October has been selected as a fall back date.

Please click on the headings below to read more information on how to prepare for an outage.

Be fire season ready

Are you prepared for the planned power outage?

Disruption to your power supply shouldn’t mean a disruption to your day. Below are our top tips to prepare for the planned power outage:

• Have emergency contact details easily accessible.

• Prepare a contingency plan by ensuring you have access to battery operated torches, radios and a supply of spare batteries.

• Ensure mobile phones are charged.

• Have a back-up pump if you rely on mains electricity for your water supply.

• Know how to open your garage door manually.

• Provide your mobile number to your electricity retailer, for SMS updates on power restoration.

• Know alarm restoration process around restarting when the power is restored. Consult your alarm manual or contact your alarm installer.

• If using a generator, make sure it is only used to power appliances directly and ensure a registered electrician undertakes any such work around connections. Click here for more information.

We’re preparing the network for summer, are your bushfire plans up to date?

Bushfires

During a bushfire, you may experience interruptions to your electricity and/or gas supply, even if your property isn’t directly affected. For this reason, your bushfire contingency plan should factor in a possible loss of gas and electricity.

Supply considerations

Some things to consider as part of your bushfire plan are provided below:

• The CFA or MFB may disconnect your electricity and/or gas to fight a bushfire, or to prevent other fires from starting.
• Activation of automatic disconnection switches may cut off your electricity supply in high winds or if a tree branch falls on powerlines.
• Damage to powerlines and poles may cause a power outage, meaning you won’t be able to use appliances and communications, such as your telephone, lights, television and radio.
• Sprinkler systems, hoses and pumps may not operate if your mains water supply is affected, or if these systems are powered by electricity.
• Reconnection of your electricity may take up to several hours or even days, depending on the time it takes to access the area, conduct repairs and ensure safety.
  
  

 Plan to survive

• Establish a bushfire contingency plan – be clear about when to leave.
• Install an alternative water supply and back-up generator to pump water.
• Keep a mobile phone handy and try to ensure the battery is fully charged.
• Ensure you have access to battery-operated torches, radios and spare batteries.
• Contact your local community fireguard or CFA to assist with your bushfire plan.
• Review your plan each year and check all related equipment on a regular basis.