Editorial: Territorians deserve answers on massive Top End blackout

AFTER Wednesday’s massive power blackout that plunged up to 40,000 homes and businesses into darkness, a detailed report and investigation will need to be conducted and the results of that need to be made transparent to Territorians – who deserve answers.

Fannie Bay Cool Spot chef Krishna Bhubthi cools down while waiting for the power to come back on. Picture: Che Chorley

• Top End businesses lose stock, forced to close early due to blackout
• ‘Gas supply interruption’ at Channel Island caused major blackout in the Top End
• List of suburbs affected by the mass power outage across the Top End
• Power outages across Darwin suburbs, Palmerston and Katherine, according to Power and Water

THE massive power blackout that plunged up to 40,000 homes and businesses into darkness is further evidence of the importance of maintaining our electricity infrastructure to a high standard.

Thankfully, yesterday’s incident only lasted two hours for most people, but it brought back nightmares for those who were here in March 2014, when Darwin was blacked out for 12 hours.

One thing is for certain – when an incident like this occurs it makes people realise how important power is to their lives.

Heather Haines from Parap Fine Foods moves perishable items from the business’ in-store fridge to back-up fridge to save stock. Picture: Che Chorley

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When you can’t turn on your fans or your airconditioners during a stinker of a heatwave in the middle of the Build-Up, it’s a great reminder that reliable electricity is essential to the way we live.

While the blackout was sparked by a gas supply issue, it will no doubt spark fresh debate about what the best type of energy is for the Territory in future years and decades.

As with previous blackouts, a detailed report and investigation will need to be conducted and the results of that need to be made transparent to Territorians – who deserve answers.

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Given the disaster of 2014, Territorians could have expected a similar incident would never have happened again. Sadly, that is not the case.

Eva Lawler is the new minister in charge of this portfolio. She needs to front the cameras today and explain what went so horribly wrong.