Ventia redefined service excellence in the aftermath of a recent storm event at Woomera, South Australia. A storm front moved through the Roxby Downs, Woomera, and Pimba townships in the late afternoon on 17th October 2024, resulting in damage to the high-voltage network and widespread power outages in the region.  

What problem needed to be solved?

While ElectraNet, the local energy provider, worked to restore power, Ventia ensured continuity for Defence and the Woomera community.

How did the solution come about and what challenges were overcome?

The Ventia team was well prepared with emergency back-up generators and robust food and fuel stocks. We initially worked with Defence to determine how to respond to the outage. With additional hired generators, we kept critical systems operational throughout the outage. A trailer-mounted back-up generator, and additional generators provided free-of charge by BHP at Olympic Dam, provided additional assurance. 

What was the impact?

Ventia successfully kept critical infrastructure humming including:

• The Wilson Guard Hut
• Sewerage Treatment Plant
• Heritage Centre – with a communal fridge/freezer for vital food and medicine, and a community laundromat
• The Eldo tavern – offering two air-conditioned rooms and meal facilities 
• Swimming pool pump and filters, to minimise downtime once power was restored.

We cleared roadways of fallen trees, and worked across the whole base to make safe, complete critical maintenance, and remove debris. The Ventia fire team conducted continuous patrols of buildings which lacked power for fire alarms. 

Power was returned on 3rd November, and the team carefully managed the end of the outage. We chose to stagger residents returning to their homes to avoid an overload on air-conditioning units. Electricians also switched off mains power in unused accommodation to avoid surges and equipment left inadvertently on.