PREPARATIONS have started to ensure energy and safety measures are in place in the Mildura electorate during the hot weather months in light of possible COVID-19 restrictions.

Member for Mildura Ali Cupper has met with Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio to discuss forming a taskforce as soon as possible to put processes in place before summer.

Ms Cupper said the invitations would be sent to the Victorian Government, Mildura Rural City Council, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), Powercor and other stakeholders to form the taskforce for a COVID-19 energy plan for the Mildura electorate.

The taskforce was originally planned to discuss measures related to load-shedding after parts of Mildura had power cut during a heatwave two summers ago.

“However, things have changed for us markedly in the last few months with the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown measures that have come with that,” Ms Cupper said.

“Until a vaccine is found, the reality is the potential remains for running lockdowns or stay-at-home orders to try and mitigate outbreaks of COVID-19.

“The lockdowns themselves could become a potential health risk in areas like the Mildura electorate as we move into summer.

“This is particularly true for some of our most vulnerable residents in public housing who do not have air-conditioning, or those who can not afford to use cooling regularly. We have to ensure measures are in place in the event stay-at-home restrictions in our electorate.”

Ms Cupper said it remained vital areas that are used as refuges like Mildura Central and The Alfred Deakin Centre in Mildura and Ouyen Service Centre, were not affected by load shedding.