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Waimate lost electricity on Sunday morning. Alpine Energy chief executive Andrew Tombs said about 1900 properties were affected. (File photo)
Up to 1900 properties were impacted by a power cut in Waimate on Sunday morning. Alpine Energy chief executive Andrew Tombs said power went off at 10.15am following a suspected cable fault or damaged insulator. Tombs said power was restored by 11am. “There may be some temporary power disruptions as we switch load between circuits to allow work to be undertaken.”
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Alpine Energy’s electricty was cut to Waimate for more than six hours overnight Saturday. (File photo)
About 1900 users were affected by a power outage in Waimate overnight Saturday. Alpine Energy chief executive Andrew Tombs said a fault was detected so the main circuit in Waimate was shut off automatically by the protection equipment at about 10pm Saturday and not restored until 4.30am Sunday. “Fault personnel from our service provider Netcon were dispatched immediately following the outage to undertake a line inspection of the overhead power line that feeds Waimate.” He said the inspection throughout the night did not identify a specific cause of fault.
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Government funding of $11.6m was awarded to the Timaru District Council s Theatre Royal upgrade and Heritage precinct project. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, was in Timaru to confirm the Government support for the $23m project which ‘met the criteria of the Government’s ‘shovel-ready’ programme, in that it was ready to proceed and would create jobs. ‘‘The design and construction of the theatre upgrade and new (museum) facility is estimated to directly employ 155-210 people.’’ A planned $7.5m redevelopment of Alpine Energy Stadium received the biggest handout from the Timaru District Council’s stimulus fund. The Fraser Park Community Trust, which runs the facility, received $900,000 of the $1.85m available as the council culled 20 funding applications back to 10 successful projects.
A St John spokesperson said it did not respond. Alpine Energy chief executive Andrew Tombs said a roadside pole was struck causing damage to an overhead low voltage service main. A team of contractors had attended, he said.
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Contractors work to restore power to Bridge Rd in Washdyke at one of two incidents dealt with in South Canterbury on Monday morning. Meanwhile, power was cut to the Washdyke Fire Station on Bridge Rd early Monday morning after a fuse protection device just outside the station failed at 7am. A Fenz spokesman said the station was powered by a generator during the power cut.
“Damage to an underground cable was found to be the cause,” Tombs said. “The outage only affected the high school, and we were quickly able to restore power to the site by rerouting the power. We are currently [as of Monday] making repairs to the damaged cable.” The concert, which had raised about $900 for the Salvation Army’s food bank, featured singing talent from South Cantabrians of all ages, highland dancing, and a brass band. George said the school’s 400-seat auditorium was packed with carolers while others, including rest home residents and people from Australia, caught the concert online.