Latest news with #BrokenHill
ABC News
4 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Power companies should pay compensation for blackouts, NSW parliamentary report finds
Electricity companies that breach their licenses should be forced to compensate customers, an inquiry into a prolonged blackout in Far West New South Wales has found. On the night of October 16 2024 seven transmission towers were knocked out when a severe storm hit the region. One of the two emergency diesel generators was not in service and the other was not operating at full capacity. As a result thousands of Broken Hill residents experienced persistent outages and the Wilcannia, Menindee, Tibooburra and White Cliffs communities were blacked out for weeks. Yesterday the state parliament's Committee on Environment and Planning handed down its report into the incident. Twenty recommendations were made, including allowing the electricity pricing regulator to order a network operator in contravention of its licence to compensate affected customers. The report found Broken Hill electricity supplier Transgrid failed to notify any government agency, regulator or council about the inoperable backup generator. But it also found there was "no clear legal obligation for Transgrid to proactively inform" any regulatory or government body about the situation. The inquiry also examined renewable energy sources in the region, including a large-scale battery system that was unable to be used to provide electricity locally. "It is nuts that you've got all that electricity generation in your own neighbourhood but you can't access it," committee chair Clayton Barr said. "If you're producing electricity in your own backyard and the power goes out, why can't you access it? "That's all a commercial and private business arrangement and it failed the community enormously." Microgrid backup systems for small towns where also suggested, which Mr Barr described as a "no-brainer". Broken Hill mayor Tom Kennedy said the community hoped the report would lead to accountability. "It can have devastating effects for a community … simply because there wasn't enough [redundancy] and power available for Broken Hill in a case of an emergency situation where we had a blackout," he said. "These recommendations will – or are attempting to – ensure this doesn't happen again and doesn't happen … anywhere in the state and, if it does happen, someone is held to account." The Australian Energy Regulator and the Indendent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal are also conducting inquiries into the event. A Transgrid spokesperson said the company was "closely examining the findings and recommendations" of the report. "Transgrid also acknowledges the significant impacts the resulting outage had on the local community," they said. "We have been working with the community and local businesses to assist in the recovery, both through financial assistance in partnership with the NSW government as well as extensive community grants programs."
ABC News
26-05-2025
- ABC News
Andrew Schmidt
Andrew was born in Broken Hill as the second eldest of five kids. He was raised in the 'hill' but was sent off to boarding school in Adelaide to have the rough edges dusted off. When he returned home he started working on the mines at 17 and went underground at 18, where he spent 10 years. Itchy feet lead him to Adelaide where he studied for his travel agent certificate and then returned to Broken Hill where he spent the next 10 years in the travel industry during which he spent five years as an overseas tour guide escorting groups to Europe, USA, Canada, Africa and the UK. This was followed by a career change in 2000 when he moved to commercial radio, before joining the ABC team in Broken Hill in 2003. Andrew's interests outside of work include his position as Vice President of the St Patrick's Race Club (which he reckons is best race meeting in the country) and as Chairman of AFL Broken Hill. He is heavily involved in the community often seen and heard emceeing any number of local events.
ABC News
24-05-2025
- General
- ABC News
Police officers honoured with formal graves in Broken Hill over a century after deaths
On a chilly winter morning in far west New South Wales a small cluster of people stands solemnly over the grave of Sergeant John Everett Lumley. Sergeant Lumley, a NSW Police officer and veteran of the Boer War, died in 1919 aged 39 while posted in the small community of Tibooburra shortly after being hospitalised due to illness, diagnosed at the time as "paralysis". However, until recently, his final resting place was little more than a bare patch of gravel in the Broken Hill Cemetery. Originally from the Lismore area, Sergeant Lumley was one of several officers stationed in the far west who died on duty and were buried far away from their home towns, according to retired Broken Hill policeman Ray Gardoll. "Back in the day you were basically buried within two to three days of your death because the place had no refrigeration," Mr Gardoll said. "And because these people lived so far away, no [relatives] actually got to them to pop a proper memorial on there for them." Mr Gardoll also heads up Back to Barrier, a community organisation dedicated to connecting ex-police who worked in the area. He said when he became aware there were fallen officers interred in unmarked graves, some of whom were also war veterans, he knew something had to be done. With the aid of various historical groups across the state, Back to Barrier's project began with finding and honouring another Boer War veteran and NSW officer. Probationary constable William Harold Blackman was buried in 1901 after dying a matter of weeks into the job. After his grave was located, local tradespeople and volunteers crafted a metal frame atop an elevated grave of crushed rock and fitted it with a plaque to commemorate both his life and his military service. Probationary Constable Blackman was officially honoured with a special ceremony last year, a tradition which continued this week for Sergeant Lumley, 106 years to the day after he died. Both ceremonies were attended by representatives from local and state government, police, and the Broken Hill RSL, as well as patron of the Australian Light Horse Association, Vietnam veteran and retired Broken Hill officer Rodney O'Regan OAM. Mr O'Regan, who dresses in colonial attire during the services in recognition of his long-passed comrades, said he loved being a part of it. "These fellows did really hard times and to be put in an [unmarked] grave in the middle of nowhere — they deserve more," Mr O'Regan said. "I can leave here today knowing full well [they've] been looked after in later life and remembered as they should be." Mr O'Regan also adds a personal touch, supplying an original mounted police saddle from the 1940s with a pair of boots purposefully reversed in the stirrups. The idea of finding and marking police graves is growing, with groups located in Lismore and the state's Central West liaising with Back to Barrier to replicate the project in their own areas. While there is still an unknown number of graves yet to be uncovered, the next Broken Hill officer to be memorialised has already been found in Constable George Bellis, who died in 1918. Constable Bellis' great-nephew Peter Bellis, who has been researching his family history for decades, said he was excited to travel to the Silver City when the new grave would be unveiled in March next year. "I had previously looked up the cemetery records to try and find [George's] grave but I unfortunately could not find any entry," Mr Bellis said. "To now know where he's buried, and to be able to go there next year to commemorate that, is something I'm looking forward to. "I would certainly encourage other families to [get involved] because it provides a connection [and] closure, and you get to essentially reclaim a lost member of your family." But for now, Back to Barrier formally farewells Sergeant Lumley with the words: "He stood his watch. He was the thin blue line. He is now relieved."
News.com.au
21-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Just waiting': $89k home could be Australia's best buy
There's no worries about affordability or interest rates when it comes to this home bargain, all it needs is a lot of TLC. The classic two-bed home with a single bathroom sits on a very generous 904 sqm which leaves plenty of scope for expansion and renewal. It really is 'one for the renovator'. 'Located on a large corner block, this property presents a blank canvas for renovators seeking a project. With its 2 bedrooms and spacious corner block, this home is just waiting for the right person to bring it to life,' the listing for the home reads. Located at 595 Wolfram Street, Broken Hill, NSW 2880, this home is far cry from the over-inflated prices on offer in many of our capital cities. Sales agent Tara Nadge of LJ Hooker said homes under $100k that are liveable seldom come onto the market. 'They do come up here and there but usually they are not inhabitable and have walls missing,' she said. Prospective buyers will want to get in quickly. 'I have had a lot of interest in the property and I'm confident it won't take long to sell,' Ms Nadge said. 'It's ripe for renovating. It's about a two-minute drive to the CBD, a great area for renovating. It's very close to schools and amenities. The street itself has homes worth $100,000 to $500,000.' There is an outdoor shed and old garage on the property and the dimensions of the block mean the only limit is the buyer's imagination. 'It's a large block with possibilities to expand or add external developments,' the listing continues.
Daily Telegraph
21-05-2025
- General
- Daily Telegraph
Menindee teachers making a difference
Don't miss out on the headlines from Education. Followed categories will be added to My News. Moving to a town of 500 people isn't for everyone, but Abby Barcham fell in love with Menindee Central School and its 76 students after her teaching placement. Her enthusiasm converted husband Josh. They moved from Newcastle to teach at Menindee, a remote community an hour away from Broken Hill. The couple have been there for 18 months and have put roots down. Barcham has been christened 'Miss B' by the children and their excitement whenever they see her makes her feel like 'a rock star.' 'When you're in the community you hear your name being yelled out and it's really special being a part of something that's bigger than yourself,' Barcham says. Assistant Principal Joshua Crispin and his wife and fellow teacher Abbey Barcham with some of their students from Menindee Central School. Picture: Supplied Every teacher wants to make a difference, but Crispin believes that living and working in Menindee means 'the difference in Menindee just matters that little bit more.' Barcham agrees. 'You see that direct impact to of your teaching and of your involvement with the families and communities,' she says. 'I pretty much have an open classroom in the morning and will have parents come in. All of our kids on are on personalised learning goals and we do a lot of consultation with our parents. If you're in a larger community, you might only be able to touch base with those parents here and there, whereas in Menindee, it's a constant conversation.' During their time at Menindee, Crispin has led reformed teaching practices, including structured literacy programs. In 12 months, what was 85 per cent below benchmark turned into to 43 per cent of students meeting them. Menindee Central School, near Broken Hill, has only 76 students. Picture: Supplied. By implementing a behaviour curriculum where students are encouraged to believe they are 'Strong in their Identity, and Smart in the Classroom' he is championing their abilities. 'We're in an evidence-based profession, there's so much research into how students learn best. When we came to Menindee, we really had to advocate for our kids, not because we felt like the kids needed saving but because we needed our classroom practice to reflect that they are strong and smart,' Crispin says. 'That changed what literacy looks like in our in our school.' The couple are expecting a baby in July and, in time, bub will attend Menindee Central School. 'Everyone tells you it takes a village to raise a child and we feel so fortunate that we don't just have a village, we have an entire community,' Barcham says. Follow our Australia's Best Teachers advocacy series, in partnership with Officeworks, Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools, Education Perfect and BigAss Fans, at this link.
