Emergency Power for Woods Point
Published on 20 December 2024
Woods Point will be more resilient during power outages and emergencies with thanks to a major grant from Ausnet’s Emergency Resilience Community Fund.
Mansfield Shire Council applied for the fund on behalf of the Woods Point community, which will enable the purchase and installation of solar panels and a back-up batter on the Woods Point Museum and a generator for the Community Hall.
Mayor Cr Steve Rabie said he was pleased Council was able to help the community by applying for the grant.
“The Woods Point community is impressive in their resilience and self-reliance. When Council was doing the Resilience Benchmarking Project, the community told Council what they needed to be safer and have a place to go during extended power outages and emergencies. We listened. Now, the Woods Point community will have what they need to remain self-reliant during an emergency,” he said.
“The Woods Point Community Hall has sprinklers on the roof and wifi for emergency communications. The generator is the last piece of the puzzle, giving the community somewhere to go to access water, communications and power.
“Council is grateful to Ausnet for the grant funding and to the community members who have pushed for the services that enhance their self-reliance. They have committed to helping with this project, including continuing their contribution by installing the concrete pad for the generator. This community look out for each other and we are proud to be able to lobby for what they need to keep themselves safe.”
Andrew Linnie, Executive General Manager, Distribution from Ausnet, said:
"I am delighted to congratulate the Mansfield Shire Council on securing a Major Grant from the Energy Resilience Community Fund for the Woods Point community. This project represents an important step in bringing energy resilience to one of the most remote communities in our electricity distribution network, helping Woods Point to stay connected, supported and safe during prolonged outages and emergencies.”
Jan Van Der Schaft (President) of Woods Point Progress Association said she was thrilled with the announcement.
“We know what we need to keep ourselves safe in this terrain, but we don’t have the resources and capacity to apply for grant funding. We would like to thank Council for their work in looking out for funding for this project and applying on our behalf.”
The $78,647 grant funding from Ausnet’s Emergency Resilience Community Fund will see the supply and installation of a 15KVA Generator on the Woods Point Community Hall and a 48 Volt – 15.0KWh Battery storage system with 6.5kW solar array on the Woods Point Museum.
The Woods Point Community Hall is identified in the Woods Point Community Safety Plan as a Relief Centre during times of emergency. The Hall has been fitted with a kitchenette, has a toilet and shower. External sprinklers are fitted on the roof and the site has satellite communications (community Wi-Fi). The Woods Point Museum is managed by the Woods Point Progress Association.
For more information about the project, contact Council by emailing council@mansfield.vic.gov.au
ENDS