United Services Union members from Essential Water have been applauded for their pivotal efforts in alleviating the power crisis that struck Broken Hill in October.
On October 17, a devastating storm toppled seven transmission towers, plunging over 20,000 residents in Broken Hill and surrounding areas into darkness. The situation was worsened when one of the city’s two backup generators failed to operate, and the other broke down, leaving the region with no immediate source of power.
Amid the widespread disruption, Essential Water members stepped up, leveraging their available generators to maintain a safe water supply and feed power into the grid. Their quick actions enabled a staged restoration of temporary power, providing residents with the means to manage essential daily tasks during the crisis.
Living without electricity posed an immense challenge for the city, known for its significant mining operations and remote location. The blackout forced mines to shut, leaving workers stood down, businesses closed, and essential services scrambling to maintain basic functionality.
The contribution of Essential Water workers was instrumental in stabilising the situation, helping to ensure that essential infrastructure like water supply and minimal household electricity needs were met. Their resourcefulness and commitment provided a lifeline to the community during a period of extraordinary hardship.
USU representatives have lauded the resilience and dedication of Essential Water members, underscoring their vital role in safeguarding the well-being of Broken Hill’s residents and supporting essential services during the unprecedented power outage.
The storm and subsequent crisis highlight the critical importance of infrastructure resilience and the unyielding commitment of frontline workers who rise to the challenge when disaster strikes.
