General News
18 April, 2023
Beach donates funds for project
A CAT 50kVA generator is ready to power the Port Campbell community in future emergencies, with funds provided by Beach Energy to the Port Campbell Progress Group.
A CAT 50kVA generator is ready to power the Port Campbell community in future emergencies, with funds provided by Beach Energy to the Port Campbell Progress Group.
Power generation during emergencies was identified as a priority need for community emergency planning after the devastating St Patrick’s Day fires in 2018 caused widespread power outages.
Phillip Younis, who is a member of Port Campbell Progress Group, Port Campbell Life Saving Club and Port Campbell SES said on the night of the St Patrick’s Day fires, “hundreds of people left their homes and sheltered in their cars and on the foreshore at Port Campbell”.
“There was a lot of confusion and without adequate power, the surf club couldn’t provide the support needed,” he said.
Port Campbell Progress Group, led by the late Jon McLeod, co-ordinated meetings with the shire and town’s emergency service groups to discuss how the community could be better prepared for future emergencies.
Discussions with Beach Energy led to funding for the purchase of a generator as part of the Port Campbell Local Emergency Plan.
The generator is owned by the Port Campbell community, with the Surf Club housing the generator at the clubrooms and ensuring ongoing maintenance.
“The generator is portable, so in the case of an emergency it can be moved to where it’s needed, and it is configured with multiple outlets so it can be used to boil a kettle or power a building,” Mr Younis said.
Amanda Nash, president of the Port Campbell Progress Group, thanked Beach Energy for its support.
“We are very grateful to Beach Energy for its support and funds to purchase the generator,” she said.
“The generator is a great community asset which will allow community groups to provide the services needed in future emergencies.”
Beach Energy’s senior community relations manager (VIC) Sharon Donovan said Beach Energy was pleased to support the purchase of a generator for the Port Campbell community that will provide a significant benefit when dealing with future events.