Jason Wood (La Trobe, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last weekend gusts of wind exceeded 100 kilometres per hour in some parts of Victoria. This caused a lot of damage and cut power to 80,000 homes, roads, public places and countless businesses. Sadly, at the moment we still have 3,000 houses up in the Dandenong Ranges unconnected to power. These people have food going off in their fridges. Businesses cannot open up. It is very tough.

I take the opportunity to thank the SES for the incredible work they have done in my electorate in Victoria and also the CFA volunteers. I hate to think of how many jobs they have been to. In fact, I believe over 4,000 trees come down in the Dandenong Ranges.

We have situations at the moment. This morning I spoke to Dianne Jonker, who lives in Menzies Creek, where 18 trees have fallen down in the street, knocking out 18 different power sources. Dianne, like other residents, has been frustrated with AusNet with regard to the time when the power will be restored. I make the point that AusNet, the guys on the ground, are doing a fantastic job getting around and cutting up the trees, but it would be great to get back to people like Dianne with a time and date and stick with it, because it is becoming exceptionally frustrating. I do feel very sorry for the residents with no power in the Dandenong Ranges.