Solar and battery systems have been installed at 20 Rural Fire Stations across the Central Coast to ensure services can continue to operate independently should a grid power failure occur during natural disasters.
Central Coast Council Director Environment and Planning Alice Howe said the initiative would be of particular importance to the many community members who lived in isolated and vulnerable areas across the large local government area, who had previously faced limited access to basic needs such as power and vital emergency services during natural disasters.
“The installation of solar and battery systems at local Rural Fire Stations will provide the community with the assurance that they can access emergency services during times of need,” she said.
Howe said Council had partnered with NSW Public Works to manage the initiative, which was jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments.
“The ability to generate and store renewable energy also provides economic benefits, including savings on the consumption and cost of electricity,” she said.
Council Administrator Rik Hart said the move would help ensure that local emergency services were prepared when faced with natural disasters.
“It is crucial that our local fire services can maintain operational during a bushfire and these new resources will help to achieve that,” he said.
“It also serves as a timely reminder to our community about the importance of being prepared for emergency events at home.
“I urge residents living near bushland to understand the potential bushfire risk to their property and learn how to reduce that risk.
“Being prepared for bushfires can save lives and property, which in turn helps us to recover from these events more quickly when they do occur.”
Stations which have received battery systems only are Dooralong, Mangrove Mountain, Kulnura, Pearl Beach, Empire Bay, Somersby, Matcham-Holgate, and Phegans Bay.
Stations which have received both Solar PV and batteries are Avoca, Yarramalong, Patonga, Mount White, Gwandalan, Killcare, Wagstaffe, MacMasters Beach, Ourimbah, Wadalba, Lake Munmorah, Mannering Park and Charmhaven.
To know your risk and have a plan ready, go to rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare
The projects were co-funded by the Australian and NSW governments through the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund.
Source:
Central Coast Council