ABC News (AU)
· collected 2026-09-22 · by Tamara Clark and Grace Marshall
A power outage affecting more than 2,700 homes and businesses in Mildura, Victoria, began after a ute crashed into a critical power pole on Monday. The situation has raised health and safety concerns for vulnerable residents including the elderly, those with disabilities, and victims of domestic violence. Powercor estimates that restoration may not occur until Wednesday night, causing distress among affected individuals who rely on electricity for security systems and medical equipment.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-22,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On Monday morning at approximately 6:30 AM, a utility vehicle crashed into a critical power pole in Birdwoodton, near Mildura, causing a widespread power outage. Over 3,360 homes and businesses lost electricity as Powercor worked to restore power. Initially, Powercor predicted the outage would be restored by 5:30 PM on Monday but later extended the timeline, stating it could last until at least Wednesday night. The prolonged blackout has raised significant concerns for vulnerable residents such as the elderly and those with disabilities who rely on electricity for medical devices and daily living. Victoria Police have increased patrols in the affected area but will not respond to alarms until power is restored, urging residents to manually secure their homes due to security risks.
Written for “Mildura Power Outage” on 2026-10-04,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
In short:
More than 2,700 homes and businesses have been without power in Mildura since a ute crashed into a critical power pole on Monday.
asserted
ute → crash → Monday
Powercor says the outage will last until at least Wednesday night.
asserted
outage → say → night
A power outage in the north-west Victorian city of Mildura is set to enter a third day, raising concerns for the elderly, residents reliant on medical devices and domestic violence survivors.
asserted
outage → set → devices
Power has been out for almost 3,000 residents and businesses since a ute crashed into a critical power pole at nearby Birdwoodton about 6.30am on Monday.
asserted
ute → crash → Monday
As of Tuesday afternoon, 24 supported accommodation homes run by Sunraysia Residential Services (SRS) were among those without electricity.
asserted
homes → support → electricity
SRS CEO Marian Luehman said many affected were elderly or living with a disability, who relied on electricity to power equipment and undertake everyday tasks.
asserted
who → say → tasks
"Prolonged periods without power can be distressing and isolating," she said.
"Uncertainty around restoration timeframes can add further anxiety, particularly for those already facing health or personal challenges."
asserted
Uncertainty → say → challenges
Ms Luehman said the situation highlighted a need to strengthen emergency response arrangements for vulnerable residents, who needed support accessing generators, alternative accommodation, transport assistance and targeted welfare checks.
asserted
who → say → generators
An anxious wait for victim-survivor
Sarah, a victim-survivor of domestic violence whose name has been changed to protect her privacy, said the outage had caused anxiety, because it meant her home security cameras were not operating.
asserted
cameras → change → anxiety
"[Previously, the perpetrator] would park across the road.
asserted
perpetrator → park → road
Some nights he would be standing in the shadows of a tree watching my house," Sarah said.
asserted
Sarah → stand → house
"[The cameras] alert me to any activity around the boundaries of my property and they give me a feeling of safety.
asserted
they → alert → safety
I spent quite some time not being able to shower or sleep in the dark unless I had someone there to ensure I was safe.
asserted
I → spend → someone
The cameras helped me a great deal."
asserted
cameras → help → me
Victoria Police said it was sorry to hear about the impact on a victim of domestic violence, and told "anyone who feels threatened by the presence of someone at their home, or anywhere else for that matter, to call Triple Zero immediately".
asserted
who → say → Zero
Police will not respond to alarms
Mildura police Acting Inspector Daron Hulls urged residents to "remain calm" and "check on [your] neighbours".
Acting Inspector Hulls said Victoria Police had increased patrols around the impacted area, but would not be responding to alarms until power was restored.
"For security, we encourage [residents] to obviously manually lock their doors and their windows, especially if they've got automatic systems in place there," Acting Inspector Hulls said.
asserted
Hulls → respond → place
"[People] need to be aware of alarms because we won't respond to an alarm or a security system that's been triggered by power failures."
In the case of a break-in, Acting Inspector Hulls said victims would need to contact police and may be required to submit extra evidence.
uncertain
victims → need → evidence
"We'll have to rely on some other supporting information, such as phone calls or observations," he said.
asserted
he → have → calls
Outage to last until Wednesday
Powercor spokesperson Jodan Oliver said electricity would likely be restored by Wednesday night, with crews prioritising regular welfare checks for about 130 residents living with life support apparatuses.
asserted
crews → last → apparatuses
He said the outage was an "unusual one".
asserted
outage → say → ?
"The different circuits on that pole, one was very high voltage and we have low voltage as well, which connects people's homes," he said.
"
asserted
he → have → homes
We're checking with customers' properties whether [that high voltage] has entered into people's wiring, switchboards … and potentially caused damage.
asserted
voltage → check → damage
"So we're really keen on people to make any reports to us of any damage they notice at their homes and their switchboards, appliances not working.
asserted
they → make → homes
"
A relief centre has been set up at the Benetook Room of the Alfred Deakin Centre at the corner of Deakin Avenue and Twelfth Street.
asserted
centre → set → Avenue
The Aporia