Experts to review Vic storms blackout to avoid repeat

Damaged transmission towers at Anakie on Wednesday, 14 February, 2024. Picture: AAP Image/Con Chronis

Callum Godde, AAP

Experts will review the lead up to and fallout from the destructive storm event that crippled Victoria’s electricity transmission network.

Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio has commissioned an independent review into the wild weather event on 13 February which left more than half a million properties without power.

“We had a similar review following the 2021 storm events,” Premier Jacinta Allan told reporters on Tuesday 20 February.

“It is appropriate and usual practice that following a weather event like this you engage the expert advice to look at what happened and then put in place any further recommendations.”

Energy Safe Victoria had already announced it would investigate the collapse of six transmission towers near Geelong.

Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto had accused the State Government of failing to act on previous network reliability warnings and flagged plans to set up a parliamentary inquiry.

The South Gippsland town of Mirboo North was among the communities hardest hit by the storms, with at least 16 homes rendered uninhabitable.

Residents have been told they can resume using water indoors but should hold off outdoors as the water treatment plant is still operating through a generator.