Extended, frequent power outages enrage Euroa locals fearing for their safety

Euroa residents suffering from “PTSD” due to “catastrophic” power outages are concerned for their safety as the Victorian bushfire season looms, with locals fed up with government and power company AUSNET.

Euroa power outages are angering suffering residents, who have now launched a petition to local, state government and AUSNET.

Residents from a Victorian town who are suffering from constant and significant power outages are worried for their safety, with a lack of power meaning they cannot access vital emergency alerts.

Euroa, in the heart of Strathbogie shire, has suffered 17 unplanned power outages in the past two and a bit months, and while wild weather may have caused some, many have gone unexplained.

That accounts for an outage roughly every one in 5 days.

Kristy Hourigan, a resident who runs the Euroa Caravan Park is fed up with the power outages and the lack of help from government and power company AUSNET.

“We’ve had 14 power outages in 60 days … Some of them have lasted 24 hours,” Ms Hourigan said.

Ms Hourigan also spoke to the significant mental impact the outages are having on the community.

“It causes a sense of PTSD (among the community),” she said.

Some residents have posted on Facebook dreading coming outages, with Rachael Matthews posting in the Euroa Community Group “Get your genies ready. With this heat I tipping there will be an outage at some point today”.

Another local resident Leanne Waters, who works from home, says when the power is out it often takes out the network, meaning she is unable to work.

“If you are remote, like I am, you are really stuck”, she said.

A petition by residents called “Demand Reliable Power Supply for Euroa VIC, Australia” has been made, with letters sent to local, state politicians and AUSNET as well.

A petition started by Kristy Hourigan as Euroa residents continue to suffer from power outages.

Ms Hourigan wrote an email to state member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland, as well as Murray Plains MP Peter Walsh, titled ‘Urgent Appeal: Mitigate the Devastating Impact of Persistent Power Outages in Strathbogie Shire – Euroa’.

An excerpt of the e-mail sent by Ms Hourigan to Ms Cleeland reads, “Since November 8th, our community has been thrust into 14 power outages, some lasting beyond 24 hours. The repercussions on the lives of residents and the survival of local businesses have been nothing short of catastrophic, especially given the recent hot nights that have exacerbated the suffering of our community.”

The email outlines the human impact of the outages, the impact to local businesses, fuel shortages and generator challenges and the impact of cancelled appointments.

Ms Hourigan believes the Euroa community is ignored by government.

Another angry resident, Mary C. Biviano, also reached out to Ms Cleeland, saying “I am tired of living in a third world country.”

Ms Cleeland has personally experienced the power outages “first hand”, and says “AUSNET is a really hard one.”

Ms Cleeland believes some people are really struggling, and says Euroa has suffered greatly from the constant and long outages – with many lasting over 24 hours.

She also says it has been an issue for over ten years, but the recent consistency of the outages has been “devastating.”

Euroa state MP Annabelle Cleeland is concerned for the long-term prospects of the region if these power outages are not fixed.

The Euroa MP also says that people who live slightly out of town can suffer from water shortages when the power goes out.

She is disappointed with AUSNET, which is a private company.

“This is a private business which is refusing to provide a service to the community, and we have no alternative”, she said.

Ms Cleeland says it is difficult to live in Euroa now, due to society’s reliance on electricity.

Euroa’s power is a based on a single supply line from Benalla to Euroa and Violet Town, which means any trip on that line can affect the region.

Mr Walsh has also been contacted for comment as well.

Locals gather at the Euroa Caravan Park, run by resident Kristy Hourigan.

Ms Hourigan has also reached out to AUSNET, expressing her “deep frustration” with the persistent and unexplained power outages in Euroa.

She said residents were scared of what could happen if a bushfire broke out while the power was out, with many unable to receive emergency updates.

“We miss out on all the emergency alerts from the VicEmergency app … We get thrown into complete darkness,” she said.

“We had a fire back in 2019 and that could happen at any stage while the power is out … It’s not just about not having our airconditioning on, it’s a safety risk.”

Since November 8 2023, there have been 14 outages, with one as recently as January 11, 2024.

In total since November 8 there have been a total of 53.9 hours of power lost, which is mroe than days without power.