With Victoria’s climate changing and severe weather events expected to happen more often, we’re proactively increasing our preparedness and looking at ways we can support the community through these events.
What does this project involve?
In response to community feedback on the need for key services like petrol stations and supermarkets during extended power outages, we’re installing quick generator connection points in Emerald and Cockatoo. This will reduce the time it takes to connect a generator from up to eight hours, down to under three.
We’ll also be modifying the network to ensure the services that are important to the community will be within the area supplied by the generator. This includes Emerald SES and Cockatoo’s Telstra exchange which will enable some mobile coverage.
Why were Emerald and Cockatoo chosen?
Emerald and Cockatoo were chosen for this pilot project because of how impacted they’ve been by storms in 2024 and their close proximity to other towns who can also use the services the generators will supply. Our focus during storms will continue to be on restoring power to everyone as quickly as possible.
Emerald generator connection points
This map gives an indication of the area the generator will be able to supply:
Shops include:
- Ritchies IGA
- Shell Reddy Express petrol station
- Emerald Village Bakery and Café
- Emerald Village Meats
- Emerald SES
- Emerald Medical Centre
- Emerald Hire.
Planned Emerald works
We’ll be working on the nature strip outside Ritchies on Belgrave-Gembrook Road on Monday 21 and Thursday 24 October during the day. To avoid a power outage that will impact shop operating hours, we’ll be doing nightworks on Saturday 19 October and Saturday 26 October. There will be traffic management on Belgrave-Gembrook Road.
Cockatoo generator connection points
This map gives an indication of the area the generator will be able to supply:
Shops include:
- Cockatoo IGA
- Cockatoo Family Medical Practice
- Telstra exchange - this will enable some mobile coverage
- RSL
- Cockatoo bakery
- Cockatoo Pharmacy.
Planned Cockatoo works
To avoid a power outage that will impact shop operating hours, we’ll be doing nightworks on Saturday 19 October. There will also be day works on Monday 21 and Friday 25 October. We’ll be working on the corner of Boronia Crescent and Belgrave-Gembrook Road, there will be traffic management on site to help you safely move through the area.