Emerald’s Gem Community Arts Centre is set to become a crucial lifeline for locals during power outages, thanks to a $50,000 grant from AusNet.
The funding will support the installation of a solar system with a backup battery, strengthening energy resilience for Emerald and the surrounding semi-rural communities.
The project will see 33 solar panels, a 12kW inverter, and a 2.76kWh usable battery installed at the Arts Centre, creating a space where residents can come together during blackouts to cook, shower, charge devices, and socialise.
The Gem Community Arts Centre, already a well-known local hub with bathrooms, a commercial kitchen, and a large meeting space, will provide much-needed comfort and connection in emergency situations.
Treasurer of Gemco Players Community Theatre Inc, Non Blair, said the funding came at a crucial time.
“Emerald Township is particularly susceptible to unplanned outages, with 85 outages recorded on the BGE23 feeder servicing the Arts Centre in 2023–24, more than three times the network average,” Ms Blair said.
“This system will increase community certainty and reduce the stress and danger that prolonged power outages bring.”
She said the project would help reduce isolation during emergencies by providing a safe and functional place to work, play, cook, shower, and connect.
“Many residents work from home, especially since COVID, but unreliable mobile coverage and power outages often force people onto the roads during clean-up, increasing risks and slowing recovery,” Ms Blair said.
AusNet’s investment is part of its $12 million Energy Resilience Community Fund, launched after the storms of February 2024.
To date, nearly $5 million has been granted to establish more than 40 resilience hubs across the state.
“Over the past five years, our electricity network has weathered some of the most formidable challenges in recent memory, from devastating fires to wild weather and powerful storms,” an AusNet spokesperson said.
“These events have tested us but revealed the resilience and determination of Victorian communities.”
The spokesperson said the grants support a wide range of energy resilience initiatives, from powering community hubs and mobile shower centres to trailer-mounted generators and upgraded infrastructure.
“When we work hand-in-hand with communities, we unlock solutions that are not only practical but meaningful,” they said.
“Together, we’re creating spaces that keep people safe, connected, and informed during emergencies.”
Installation of the solar system at the Gem Community Arts Centre, carried out by Envirogroup, will begin in the coming months, following recent roof plumbing and assessment works.
With this project, Emerald’s community is one step closer to facing future power challenges with greater confidence and resilience.
