The situation
In October 2024, a severe storm caused a major electricity outage in the Far West region of NSW, leaving over 10,000 residents without power, including 47 life support customers.
The outage affected many communities in the region including Broken Hill, White Cliffs, Wilcannia, Menindee and surrounding areas.
The power outages as a result of the storm were ongoing and posed a serious challenge for Emergency Services Organisations (ESOs) attempting to support affected residents.
During this time, NSWTA deployed generators to the closest PSN site in Menindee to ensure the network remained stable and operational.
To support ESOs by boosting PSN coverage in the region, NSWTA recognised an urgent need to bring additional PSN sites in the area online early. The site at Thackaringa, which had been under construction, was identified by ESOs as a critical asset in strengthening communications to the region's emergency services and the affected communities.
The response
Despite the PSN site in Thackaringa still being under construction and lacking key infrastructure, NSWTA led a coordinated effort across multiple agencies to bring the site online in just four days.
This collaboration ensured that critical communication services were restored to support emergency operations. Key steps included:
- Site assessment and planning: A quick assessment with the project lead identified what was required to get the site online. This prompted a joint effort to identify key actions to bring the site online and plans were created and implemented to fast-track completion as a best-efforts site.
- Infrastructure deployment: NSWTA worked closely with partners to secure and dispatch the required infrastructure, including generators and satellite communication equipment (VSAT) for backhaul connectivity. This involved synchronised efforts to rapidly mobilise these resources from various locations and included approvals from various authorities including the Rural Fire Service for the deployment.
- Operational and logistical support: Operational teams deployed power and VSAT services, while the NSW Police Force provided vital logistical support by transporting critical equipment to Broken Hill. This cooperation ensured assets arrived at the site swiftly and overcame the challenges posed by the region’s remoteness.
- Installation and activation: Rigging teams installed antennas and feeders at the site, while field teams set up the generator and satellite equipment. The seamless integration of these efforts brought the site online, ensuring reliable connectivity for emergency services within an unprecedented timeframe.
Outcome
Throughout the ongoing power outages in the region, the PSN remained stable and operational.
The successful activation of the PSN site in Thackaringa in just four days provided much-needed communication support to ESOs in the Far West region of NSW and allowed them to stay connected and safe during a period of uncertainty.
This rapid deployment ensured that ESOs had the tools they needed to assist affected communities and respond to the ongoing crisis.
By quickly deploying vital mobile infrastructure, NSWTA ensured that communication remained uninterrupted, enabling timely emergency responses and enhancing the region’s overall resilience in the face of disaster.
Benefit
The rapid activation of the PSN site at Thackaringa demonstrates NSWTA’s agile deployment capabilities can deliver reliable communications infrastructure under challenging conditions, ensuring emergency services can respond effectively when it matters most.