Published on 05 May 2025
Woods Point will soon get additional energy infrastructure to keep the local community online during outages and emergencies.
Council secured a $78,000 grant from Ausnet’s new Energy Resilience Community Fund to provide the new equipment, in addition to contributions from local community members. Installation works are planned to start on 5 May and are expected to take 2 weeks to finish.
The Woods Point Hall will receive a new diesel generator and the Woods Point Museum will be getting a 6.5kW solar array and 15kWh of battery storage. Council has engaged local company Solar Phase to deliver the system.
The new equipment means the Hall and the Museum will be able to offer a self-sufficient powered site during outages. Community members will be able to charge their devices, access a kitchen and refrigerator and take a shower, and the Hall’s rooftop sprinkler system will be able to continue operating if needed.
Mayor Cr Steve Rabie said Council had listened to locals to understand Woods Point's emergency needs.
“The generator and solar system we’re installing is a direct result of the feedback we received from Woods Point locals through our Resilience Benchmarking Project and through working together on the Local Emergency Action Plan,” he said.
“We’re really grateful to everyone who participated in those projects. Thanks to your knowledge we can now deliver this important equipment and be better prepared for emergencies.
“We’re also grateful to Ausnet for partnering with us. Together we’ve worked hard to strengthen our relationship and better support our local communities. It’s leading to great practical outcomes like the new infrastructure,” said Cr Rabie.