Parts of the local government area (LGA) including Bass Hill, Georges Hall and Villawood, suffered through recurring electricity outages between Saturday, November 28 and Tuesday, December 1, but unfortunately the blackouts during the weekend heatwave were not an isolated incident.
A spokesperson for the Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON) confirmed that they had received a number of complaints regarding power outages in the Bass Hill and Villawood areas with customers advised to go back to Ausgrid in the first instance.
Bass Hill resident Mariana Tokic said the area’s electricity needs had increased due to growth in recent years.
“We aren’t asking for special treatment, we just want regular energy supply like the rest of Sydney,” she said.
Adding her voice to the frustrated chorus, State MP for Bankstown, Tania Mihailuk, met with residents in Bass Hill on Friday to call on Ausgrid and the NSW Government to invest in upgrading and maintaining electricity distribution infrastructure.
“This is just another example of how the Government’s energy privatisation agenda has delivered nothing but soaring bills, job cuts and outdated infrastructure, and ultimately worse outcomes for energy users,” she said.
Apologising to customers, a spokesperson for electricity distribution company Ausgrid said “extreme weather” was behind a cable fault that impacted approximately 4,600 customers at the worst point in the heatwave on November 28, with another 1,200 properties affected over the next two days.
He said work was underway to fix faults on cables at the substation that feeds Bass Hill, with other equipment replacement taking place as part of broader upgrade projects over the next 12-18 months.
“We encourage customers impacted by the outages to submit compensation claims for food spoilage,” he said
“These claims will be prioritised and can be made online at Ausgrid.com.au/claim.”
