The Northern Territory has recommenced rolling out underground power, a program which was previously scrapped in 2012.
Following the devastation of Cyclone Marcus in 2018, the State Government announced it would recommence the program, with works starting at Wagaman Primary School in Darwin.
Nine Darwin schools will be the first to receive undergrounding works including:
- Wagaman Primary
- Alawa Primary
- Jingili Primary
- Parap Primary
- Larrakeyah Primary
- Moil Primary
- Nemarluk
- St Johns College
- Stuart Park Primary
In severe weather events, undergrounded power to schools will help to keep them connected, enabling them to remain open and provide safe environments for children while recovery efforts take place.
Schools will also be offered the opportunity to participate in the program by providing artwork to decorate the substation at their school.
Three million dollars has been budgeted for the school rollout, which is expected to take two years to complete.
Northern Territory Treasurer, Nicole Manison, said, “The Territory Labor Government is delivering a safe, reliable power network for Territorians. This is in stark contrast to the CLP who scrapped the undergrounding power program and hiked power prices by 30 per cent.
“Undergrounding power supply to schools will see almost every Darwin suburb that has above ground power receive a benefit from the program.
“The rollout will support on-going local jobs, ensure more reliable power to our suburbs and enable fast recovery efforts during severe weather occurrences.”
Member for Sanderson, Kate Worden, said, “During Cyclone Marcus, Wagaman School staff and students were unable to use the school for an extended period of time.
“It was the last school back in operations due to no power and it caused issues for parents who needed to get back to some normality.
“Having certainty of power in all weather conditions means Wagaman Primary will be able to get back up and running quickly and students will have limited interruption to their learning.”
