“In Times of Need, People Have Turned to Their Local Club” Says Kevin Anderson

During the debate, the Hon. Kevin Anderson MP said that “people are in desperate, dire need of support and help” and suggested that the Government should “take a leaf” out of the book of ClubsNSW and other community groups who are “backing in” Broken Hill.

“For example, a pledge from ClubsNSW of $50,000 for whatever they need… from Mounties, $100,000 to use as they see fit — logistics, freight, fuel supply, water. That’s what support looks like! There is no strings attached,” he said. 

“In times of need, people have turned to their local club — the Wilcannia Golf Club, the Musicians Club.

“Michael Boland has been going over and above, opening his Club yet again for communications so that loved ones can contact each other, for meals, for showers… to get on the WIFI to find out what’s going on with local businesses,” he continued. 

Richard Williamson MP said that “no power, or limited power, is having a tragic effect on communities” and that it will take them a long time to recover.

“I’d like to put on the record my thanks for the community of Broken Hill — like the Musos Club that are providing relief, meals, WIFI, air conditioning. 

“Imagine if it was your business throwing out fridges and freezers of rotten food… imagine if it was your mum or dad, your elderly relative, sitting in a 40-degree room without air conditioning. Or a newborn child.

“I’ve heard today that residents have been throwing out food with no confidence of restocking because they have no confidence that the power will stay on.

“I hope when the Premier visits tomorrow that he does everything within his power to support those people, to give them compensation and cash to let them buy food.

“Broken Hill, tomorrow I hope you get the best of what the NSW Parliament can deliver.”

Power has been progressively restored in Far West NSW as an inquiry has been announced into how the region was left without backup electricity.

Severe weather and a possible tornado knocked down seven transmission towers last week, leaving residents in Broken Hill and surrounds without electricity for more than two days and an intermittent supply over the weekend.

On Monday, the town's only working backup generator overheated and shut down, causing a second blackout. 

NSW Premier Chris Minns announced that a natural disaster declaration for Broken Hill has been signed off on, and that everything is being done to restore electricity supplies to the region. 

Since the beginning of the emergency, local clubs have been tirelessly looking after residents — in particular, Wilcannia Golf Club and Broken Hill Musicians Club. The latter is offering free soft drinks and coffee, as well as $10 meals and a place for those impacted to enjoy the respite of the air conditioning as temperatures soar above 30 degrees. The Club has also ordered pre-cooked roasts from Mildura, which Broken Hill Musicians Club General Manager Michael Boland said would be distributed to those most in need free of charge.

NSW Premier Chris Minns is set to visit Broken Hill later today.