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Euroa Gazette 120624

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Incorporating the Nagambie Times and Violet Town Sentinel

AVENEL - EUROA - LONGWOOD - NAGAMBIE - STRATHBOGIE - VIOLET TOWN Wednesday, June 12, 2024

Phone: (03) 5795 3041

www.euroagazette.com.au

$2.00 (inc.GST)

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LOCAL KING’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS

PLAYTIME

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COUNCIL HEARS BUDGET SUBMISSIONS

Toy Library committee members, Sally Hayes-Burke and Haley Raglus setting up the toy library with the assistance of toy experts, Roma and Louie.  FULL STORY page 15. PHOTO: Supplied

Funding to fix power woes By LYNN ELDER AUSNET has announced that they are working towards the improved reliability of the Benalla to Euroa electricity distribution line, known as BN11, spending more than $10 million since January with aims of addressing ongoing energy supply issues in the region. Reliability concerns were identified with the BN11 line earlier this year and AusNet has said it has committed to put in place solutions to address these reliability issues. “Due to the high priority we placed on improving reliability for residents and businesses in Euroa and surrounds, we expedited the implementa-

cally for energy resilience AusNet $ $10 million spend p to improve p local electricityy distribution cifi projects. tion of these measures so that they are completed in 2024,” said an AusNet spokesperson. “We anticipate that these upgrades will substantially enhance the network’s reliability and reduce the need for further works. “If additional investments are necessary, we are prepared to make them to ensure a safe, consistent and dependable electricity supply for the community.” In addition to other shortterm strategies already in place, AusNet is installing additional recloser units with units that have greater functionality, at a cost of more than $5.5 million. “This will improve reliability

and bushfire mitigation for the region,” said AusNet Executive General Manager Network Operations Andrew Linnie. “Reclosers have recently been installed at key locations on the 22kV powerline, enabling our operations team to segment the network so outages will impact fewer people. Reclosers are in essence circuit breakers which can identify faults and isolate the part of the network that is impacted by a fault. “What this means in a practical sense is that when the line trips, the reclosers will narrow down the fault location, so we can send crews to fix the problem more quickly,” said Mr Linnie.

The first two reclosers are now in place and operational, with an additional six units to be installed by the end of August. AusNet will also install a bushfire protection switch at the Violet Town Rapid Earth Fault Current Limiter (REFCL) site, which will be operational by this summer. “The switch will allow us to transition between our bushfire mitigation technology and traditional protection systems to maintain reliability while also managing bushfire risk in the region,” said Mr Linnie. “From a customer’s perspective this means if their power goes off due to a fault

or planned maintenance, the smallest number of people will be affected for as short a time as possible.” In response to a question regarding the use of renewable energy options, such as batteries and solar power, AusNet said it would continue to collaborate with local organisations including the Strathbogie Shire to support their pursuit of renewable energy options. It noted various funding sources are available to support such initiatives, including grants from both the state and commonwealth governments. Additionally, AusNet’s Energy Resilience Community Fund provides funding spe-

Local residents should see the commencement of works will commence on July 19 and 20, on McKernan Street and Boundary Road North. The remainder of the work will be completed in August and October around Violet Town, Euroa, Miepoll, Strathbogie and Terip Terip. For anyone who wants to know more about the works being undertaken community workshops are being held: Violet Town Community Complex, Monday June 17, 26pm; Euroa Memorial Oval, Tuesday June 18, 2-6pm and Wednesday June 19, 2-6pm; and Strathbogie Memorial Hall, Thursday June 20, 2-6pm.


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Euroa Gazette 120624 by Provincial Press Group - Issuu