Seaspray Surf Life Saving Club (SSLSC) can now operate as an emergency resilience hub, thanks to AusNet’s Energy Resilience Community Fund.
SSLSC received over $302,000 in major grant funding from AusNet this year to fund solar panels, a full battery energy storage system and a back-up generator.
AusNet Executive General Manager Distribution, Andrew Linnie, said the funding has enabled the Club to operate as an energy resilience hub during power outages and extreme weather events.
“When operated by the Club, the community can have showers, cook food, charge devices, stay safe and connect with other community members during emergency events and extended power outages,” said Mr Linnie.
Seaspray Surf Life Saving Club’s Marty Jackson said the region is prone to high impact weather events which can impact power infrastructure and cause long-term outages.
“The Club also supports police and other emergency services which makes funding for the creation of the emergency hub particularly important. A continuous power supply will make sure telecommunications and first aid services, vital in saving lives, can be maintained,” said Mr Jackson.
AusNet’s Energy Resilience Community Fund supports projects that will help build long-term community energy resilience and provide support to communities during severe weather events.
“Through AusNet’s Energy Resilience Community Fund we have helped create over 50 community energy resilience hubs within our network so far, with 20 hubs now ready for community use during emergency events.”
“We know how important energy is to our communities’ and customers’ lives. That’s why we’re actively investing in our network to improve reliability and resilience. Also, through these grants we’re building community energy resilience and helping people to stay connected and safe during prolonged outages and emergencies,” said Mr Linnie.
AusNet established the $12 million Energy Resilience Community Fund following the severe storms in February last year, to support projects across AusNet’s electricity distribution network in eastern and north-eastern Victoria, and Melbourne’s north and east.
To date, AusNet has provided over $8.3 million in grants and donations through the Fund.
The final round of Major Grants is now open with stage one (initial proposals) closing in late January 2026. Round four Energy Resilience and Energy Education and Literacy Grants will open in late February 2026.
Be prepared for summer
Summer can be a particularly challenging time for electricity customers. On top of the bushfire risk, summer often brings with it intense thunderstorms that can damage infrastructure.
“It’s important that the energy network is ready for summer and severe weather events. We have been working all year to prepare the electricity network for what Emergency Management Victoria have advised us is likely to be a hot, dry summer,” said Mr Linnie.
What you can do to prepare for power outages: Customers can amplify their prep with these simple steps:
A – Always have a power outage plan and an outage kit ready during outages or extreme weather.
M – Mobile and email shared with your electricity retailer so we can send you SMS and email updates during an outage.
P – Practice using our Outage Tracker, so you know how to get information and updates during an outage.
If you’re a life support customer, make sure your emergency plan is up to date and ready to action if the power goes out.
For more tips on how to be power prepared go to www.ausnet.com.au/amp.