The Energy Resilience Community Fund will be offered in tandem with the guaranteed service level payment and prolonged power outage payments already being provided, offering another opportunity for communities to recoup some of the costs from recent power outages.
In late February, AusNet announced a $10m Energy Resilience Community Fund to support local recovery efforts and enhance energy resilience in communities severely impacted by recent catastrophic storms and other electricity reliability challenges.
Ms Cleeland said the fund announcement directly resulted from the community making their voices heard.
“Following months of powerful community advocacy, AusNet are now making several changes to prevent the regular power outages happening across the region,” she said.
“One of the most rewarding new developments for the community is the launch of a $10 million resilience fund, allowing residents and local businesses to recoup costs from the outages.
“I want to thank everyone in the region who contributed and shared your stories with me.
“It was so important to hear from those impacted by these power outages and understand the very real effect this is having on households and businesses.
“Within a month, our collective efforts have compelled AusNet to improve the situation following decades of problems.
“It is inspiring to see what we can achieve as a community when we stand together.”
AusNet Chief Executive Officer David Smales said they are committed to helping the community get back on their feet in the short term.
They also recognise the importance of working with local governments and their communities to strengthen community infrastructure and businesses and help ensure they are better prepared to withstand future weather events.
“The recent storms caused unprecedented damage to local electrical infrastructure, which unfortunately resulted in prolonged outages,” he said.
“And it is predicted these weather events are becoming more frequent and severe.
“In fact, this was the third catastrophic storm to affect some of these communities in as many years.”
The community fund will work in three key areas: immediate support, community infrastructure and resilience, and small business energy resilience.
The community fund will provide immediate support to boost local recovery efforts and assist small businesses most impacted by the power outages who are not eligible for other payments.
The fund will also involve supporting and enhancing community facilities, so locals can better access essential support, information, and services.
AusNet has already provided funding to local food relief charities in affected communities to boost their capacity to feed locals who may have needed to dispose of frozen and refrigerated food during the prolonged power outage.
In March, AusNet included in the Energy Resilience Community Fund a hardship grant of $300 available to cover losses households experienced when refrigerated goods became spoiled due to power outages caused by the storms and a $5000 business grant to small businesses that can provide proof of specific loss.
“I know that recovery is still very challenging for some, and with the cost of living being as it is, we wanted to do more to help people get back on their feet,” Mr Smales said.
Local businesses will also be consulted to determine their specific needs, with support such as education and facilitation of solar and storage solutions to aid in business continuity and other initiatives to foster recovery.
To register your interest and receive further information and updates on the Energy Resilience Community Fund, please email ercf@ausnetservices.com.au.
5°C