AusNet is prioritising power restoration for homes and businesses in the Walwa and Longwood bushfire-affected regions, with strike teams currently on site. Our Bushfire Recovery Teams will continue to assess and restore power as quickly and safely as possible. This will involve rebuilding the network in areas that are severely impacted.
Strike team staging area for Walwa bushfire area power restoration
Walwa region
We have been restoring power for customers progressively over the past few days and we have had a generator powering the Corryong township since Sunday, 11 January. We currently have 648 customers in this area without power. Over the past 24 hours our vegetation crews have been clearing burnt trees and other vegetation to provide a safe working environment for AusNet’s crews. With a significant presence on the ground, our goal is to restore power to all customers in this area by the end of the weekend.
Longwood region
We have been able to restore power for around 800 customers in this area over the past 24 hours. We have also installed mobile generation at Ruffy to power the CFA and the community centre. We have been able to conduct aerial inspections of about 90 per cent of the network in this area via our helicopters and we continue to work with emergency authorities to get early ground access to bushfire-affected areas. There are currently around 1,200 customers in this area still without power. So far we have identified around 140 poles and other electricity infrastructure that need to be replaced.
We hope to be able to complete all assessments and provide updates to customers, including any estimated restoration times, by the end of the weekend.
We acknowledge that this is a difficult time for many communities and we understand the importance of knowing when power will be restored. Our teams are working hard so that people can plan their return to their communities.
AusNet’s Emergency Management Mobile Assistance Vehicles (EMMAs) will be located in bushfire-affected community areas to provide information and support, help people charge their devices and to access the internet to check in with family and friends. Specific locations and times will be updated on our Facebook page.
Prolonged Power Outage Payment
The Victorian and Federal Governments are providing financial relief to households impacted by the January 2026 bushfires and heatwave.
Subject to specific eligibility criteria, residential customers without power for seven cumulative days 7 January 2026 will be eligible for $2,380 per week for up to three weeks.
AusNet will directly contact all customers who are eligible for this Prolonged Power Outage Payment, inviting them to apply.
Further information on eligibility and how to apply for the PPOP is available on AusNet’s website: www.ausnet.com.au/emergency-response.
Assistance and further information
Our Bushfire Support line is open 8am to 8pm seven days a week on 1300 561 171 for questions about recovery, support and re-establishing electricity connections.
Customers can continue to report any faults to 13 17 99. We ask that people stay clear of any damaged infrastructure or powerlines for their own safety.