Half a million people were left without power after collapsed transmission lines prompted one of the largest outage events in the state’s history.
More than 3000 customers remain without power a week on from the violent weather, with authorities saying the power will be restored by Friday at the latest.
The government today bowed to pressure, launching an independent inquiry into how the power networks handled the storm damage.
Families were left homeless and tens of thousands of homes and businesses were without power following wild storms a week ago.
Tens of thousands of customers in the state’s hardest-hit areas, in Melbourne’s Yarra Ranges, South Gippsland and the Bass Coast were still without power late last week, compromising businesses.
Energy minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the review would be conducted by experts to look at exactly what went wrong.
“We want to get to the bottom of exactly what has occurred,” D’Ambrosio said.
“The review will complement the work done following the 2021 storms to make sure our energy network can handle extreme weather events.”
Severe thunderstorm causes commuter chaos across Sydney
The review will focus on the preparedness of energy distribution companies who responded to the extreme weather and will look at the restoration of supply.
It will also investigate if there were any material opportunities that could have enabled a more rapid reconnection of customers.
It’s unknown who will sit on the expert panel or how much it will cost.
Opposition leader John Pesutto today slammed the government for allegedly being forced into the inquiry.
“Last night (Premier) Jacinta Allan and her government were dismissing our call for an inquiry as a stunt,” Pesutto said.
“This morning they’ve backflipped.”
