Ausgrid launches first community-led resilience hub
Located at the Yarramalong School of Arts Hall, the new back-up power system is the result of 18 months of collaboration between Ausgrid, the Yarramalong School of Arts Hall and Central Coast Council to deliver a fit-for-purpose, locally led solution.
Ausgrid has funded the installation of a solar and battery back-up system, fully automated to disconnect from the grid during outages and use stored solar power to keep the hub powered.
A community afternoon tea held at the hall on Saturday marked a significant milestone in a broader pipeline of initiatives designed to support communities like Yarramalong.
Group Executive Network & Digital Junayd Hollis said the hub has been designed as a safe, trusted place where residents can access electricity, information and support when extreme weather disrupts power, roads and telecommunications.
We know communities like Yarramalong experience power disruptions due to extreme weather. This hub recognises that reality and forms part of a wider suite of work underway to better support communities.
“We know communities like Yarramalong experience power disruptions due to extreme weather. This hub recognises that reality and forms part of a wider suite of work underway to better support communities,
The Yarramalong hub’s development has been community-led with the Committee playing a central role in shaping the design, ensuring it aligned with how the hall is already used and trusted during times of need,
With extreme weather becoming more frequent, we are taking a layered approach, combining our network maintenance and upgrades with community-based resilience solutions.” He said.
The hub has already proven its value. During high winds in early January, the hall remained fully powered while much of the valley experienced an outage - allowing activities to continue uninterrupted, and providing a safe space for the community, exactly as intended.
“This project sets a new benchmark for how we partner with communities that face repeated disruption,” Mr Hollis said.
“It’s not a one-off, it’s part of a long-term commitment to building resilience across our network, where it’s needed most.”
The Yarramalong hub complements Ausgrid’s wider resilience program across the Central Coast, including bushfire-resistant pole wraps, covered conductors, automated restoration technology and faster fault detection to reduce outage duration during storms.
Ausgrid is also working with communities to improve preparedness, including new outage planning tools and on-the-ground support from local Community Resilience Liaison Officers.