The Coomba Park community has taken part in drop-in sessions with Essential Energy to discuss plans for a stronger, safer electricity network, designed to boost reliability and reduce bushfire risk. Over two days (5–6 November) at the Coomba Aquatic Club, residents had the opportunity to learn about what is being proposed, ask questions, and provide feedback on three key initiatives aimed at strengthening their power reliability.

Protecting the powerlines from encroaching vegetation, an emergency back-up generator and fire-resistant composite power poles were the key topics discussed during the event. Energy network experts from across Essential Energy’s resilience initiatives spoke to residents about vegetation management, network planning, and emergency planning.

Coomba Park residents have faced their fair share of challenges during increasingly more intense storms, floods and bushfire seasons. With the lakeside community connected to the main electricity network by a single powerline, it is more susceptible to power outages which are becoming more frequent and longer lasting, as its residents know all too well.

The majority of outages have been caused by vegetation such as trees and large tree branches coming into contact with the powerlines during weather events. Innovative digital network modelling has identified the Coomba Park area as a high-risk zone for bushfires. To help reduce the impact on the community, Essential Energy is proposing some key solutions to increase the reliability of power.

Replacing older timber poles with fire-resistant composite poles offers greater durability and a more resilient network in extreme weather conditions. At the same time, increasing the vegetation clearance around powerlines will reduce the chance of unplanned power outages also help protect both the community and the network during the high-risk bushfire periods.

Piet Litjens with community members discussing proposal for a backup generator.

Essential Energy’s Head of Stakeholder Relations, Mitchell Hume, says the proposed plans are to give the community confidence that action is being taken to make their power supply safer, more reliable and future-ready.

“We’ve listened to the community and understand how challenging power outages can be, especially during storms or bushfire season. Our modelling shows this area is at higher bushfire risk, so we’re taking steps now to provide the community with a more resilient power supply with a backup generator when it’s needed,” Mitchell says.

Part of the plans include community funding for Landcare Australia, NSW Rural Fire Service, Australian Men’s Shed Association and the Coomba & District Progress Association with funds distributed according to the number of votes received from residents.

Essential Energy will continue working closely with the community as the project progresses.