Essential Energy is continuing to work to get customer’s power back on throughout the Northern Rivers region. They have another 8,600 customers still waiting to be reconnected.
‘Essential Energy’s focus throughout today remains on deenergising premises that have been flood inundated to ensure the safe restoration of power, and the planning of how to access the network in areas not yet reachable by road to start repairs and support local communities,’ they said in a media release this afternoon.
As at 12pm, just under 8,600 customers remain without power across the flood-impacted areas, these include:
Tweed Valley/Byron Region
Crews are positioned across the Terania Creek area today to make repairs. Work is slow going with excavators being used to create new access roads to the network. Weather permitting, we hope to restore power to customers in this area later this evening.
Crews are working in the Sherries Creek area to make repairs today.
Helicopters are back in the air across the Tweed Valley to assess landslides, washed away roads and how, where and when we can get crews and equipment in to restore power for customers remaining without electricity. This includes assessing Upper Crystal Creek/Huonbrook and Crystal Creek areas for access.
Customers remaining without power include:
- Cudgen/Duranbah – 189
- Pottsville – 59
- Chinderah – 49
- Murwillumbah – 38
- Byrrill Creek – 35
- Main Arm – 25
- Upper Wilsons Creek – 20
- Huonbrook – 13
- Terragon – 9
- Wilsons Creek – 5
- Condong – 4
- Goonengerry – 3
Northern Rivers
Customers south from Woodburn into New Italy and surrounding areas have had the power restored after crews were able to gain access to the network and make repairs. Work is continuing across this area with it hoped to have the power progressively restored to customers over the next 48 hours.
Significant landslides are preventing access to the electricity network that feeds power to Nimbin and surrounding areas – crews are working on a plan for access, however customers will be without power for a number of days.
Customers remaining without power include:
- Lismore -5813
- Ballina – 1562
- Woodburn – 1620
- Kyogle – 108
- Channon – 82
- Rileys Hill – 76
- Lagoon Grass – 57
- Nimbin – 57
- Evans Head – 53
- Cabbage Tree Island – 45
- Mt Burrill – 41
- Bexhill – 37
- Coraki – 22
- Mt Nardi –16
- Lamook – 9
- Jiggi – 5
- Cornndale – 4
- Dunoon – 3
- Cedar point – 3
- Casino – 2
Clarence Valley
Essential Energy crews continue to make repairs where access is available.
‘Despite the devastation, and heartache for many, including several of our employees, the community and local volunteer organisations have been instrumental in their support, assisting with our depot clean-up, storage of electrical equipment for repairs and accommodation and food provisions for our 400 plus team on the ground.
‘Essential Energy team members will also be in different evacuation centres throughout today and coming days, to provide advice to customers on power reconnection and will attend community meetings to answer questions and provide support where needed.’
Updates will continue to be provided for customers through the Essential Energy website and Facebook, and customers can call us on 13 20 80 with questions or queries.
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