Latest news with #ClaytonBarr
ABC News
3 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."
The Advertiser
13-05-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
'Putting an end to doubts and naysayers': hospital building set to start
Construction is set to begin on the $138 million Cessnock Hospital redevelopment. The Minns government said the project would begin "in the coming months", with builder Hansen Yuncken appointed after a tender process. Cessnock MP Clayton Barr said many people thought the idea of a new Cessnock hospital was "too good to be true". "But here we are signing contracts and making dreams come true," Mr Barr said. He said the Labor government was "putting an end to all doubts and naysayers". "Before we know it, we will have shovels on site and a brand new hospital rising out of the ground. I can't wait." The project includes a new acute services building with an expanded emergency department, operating theatre, day surgery spaces and two new inpatient wards. It also includes a sterilising services unit, a new medical imaging service and a modern pharmacy. Construction is expected to be complete in 2027. The hospital will continue to operate during the construction period, with "minimal disruption to staff, patients and the community". The project recently gained planning approval and was "shaped by feedback from the community throughout planning and design". Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said "the appointment of the builder marks a key milestone". "The new acute services building will transform Cessnock Hospital, support the latest models of care and provide a welcoming environment," Mr Park said. Hunter New England Health's Anna Styles-Tape, the acting planning director, said "we look forward to work getting underway". Construction is set to begin on the $138 million Cessnock Hospital redevelopment. The Minns government said the project would begin "in the coming months", with builder Hansen Yuncken appointed after a tender process. Cessnock MP Clayton Barr said many people thought the idea of a new Cessnock hospital was "too good to be true". "But here we are signing contracts and making dreams come true," Mr Barr said. He said the Labor government was "putting an end to all doubts and naysayers". "Before we know it, we will have shovels on site and a brand new hospital rising out of the ground. I can't wait." The project includes a new acute services building with an expanded emergency department, operating theatre, day surgery spaces and two new inpatient wards. It also includes a sterilising services unit, a new medical imaging service and a modern pharmacy. Construction is expected to be complete in 2027. The hospital will continue to operate during the construction period, with "minimal disruption to staff, patients and the community". The project recently gained planning approval and was "shaped by feedback from the community throughout planning and design". Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said "the appointment of the builder marks a key milestone". "The new acute services building will transform Cessnock Hospital, support the latest models of care and provide a welcoming environment," Mr Park said. Hunter New England Health's Anna Styles-Tape, the acting planning director, said "we look forward to work getting underway". Construction is set to begin on the $138 million Cessnock Hospital redevelopment. The Minns government said the project would begin "in the coming months", with builder Hansen Yuncken appointed after a tender process. Cessnock MP Clayton Barr said many people thought the idea of a new Cessnock hospital was "too good to be true". "But here we are signing contracts and making dreams come true," Mr Barr said. He said the Labor government was "putting an end to all doubts and naysayers". "Before we know it, we will have shovels on site and a brand new hospital rising out of the ground. I can't wait." The project includes a new acute services building with an expanded emergency department, operating theatre, day surgery spaces and two new inpatient wards. It also includes a sterilising services unit, a new medical imaging service and a modern pharmacy. Construction is expected to be complete in 2027. The hospital will continue to operate during the construction period, with "minimal disruption to staff, patients and the community". The project recently gained planning approval and was "shaped by feedback from the community throughout planning and design". Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said "the appointment of the builder marks a key milestone". "The new acute services building will transform Cessnock Hospital, support the latest models of care and provide a welcoming environment," Mr Park said. Hunter New England Health's Anna Styles-Tape, the acting planning director, said "we look forward to work getting underway". Construction is set to begin on the $138 million Cessnock Hospital redevelopment. The Minns government said the project would begin "in the coming months", with builder Hansen Yuncken appointed after a tender process. Cessnock MP Clayton Barr said many people thought the idea of a new Cessnock hospital was "too good to be true". "But here we are signing contracts and making dreams come true," Mr Barr said. He said the Labor government was "putting an end to all doubts and naysayers". "Before we know it, we will have shovels on site and a brand new hospital rising out of the ground. I can't wait." The project includes a new acute services building with an expanded emergency department, operating theatre, day surgery spaces and two new inpatient wards. It also includes a sterilising services unit, a new medical imaging service and a modern pharmacy. Construction is expected to be complete in 2027. The hospital will continue to operate during the construction period, with "minimal disruption to staff, patients and the community". The project recently gained planning approval and was "shaped by feedback from the community throughout planning and design". Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said "the appointment of the builder marks a key milestone". "The new acute services building will transform Cessnock Hospital, support the latest models of care and provide a welcoming environment," Mr Park said. Hunter New England Health's Anna Styles-Tape, the acting planning director, said "we look forward to work getting underway".
