Stephen Jones (Throsby, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I take this opportunity to congratulate the SES, police, emergency services and local government workers of the Illawarra and Southern Highlands. As many members in this place would be aware, those areas have had some pretty wild weather over the last 24 hours. Winds of around 60 kilometres an hour, with gusts of up to 110 kilometres an hour, have hit the Southern Highlands and the Illawarra, bringing down trees and powerlines. Power was cut to 33,000 homes across southern New South Wales yesterday and last night. The SES was reported to have had almost 1,000 calls for help throughout New South Wales, with the majority of these coming from the Blue Mountains, Wingecaribee, Illawarra and South Coast areas. Over 7,000 homes and businesses lost power, including around 2,800 in Bowral, 1,400 in Bundanoon, over 1,000 in Mittagong and 180 in the Hill Top, Colo Vale, High Range and Moss Vale areas. Also, the Illawarra Highway was closed at Moss Vale when a falling tree brought down powerlines.

The weather affected train services and signalling systems on the Southern Highlands and South Coast lines, with delays of up to 30 minutes. It has had a devastating impact on the region. Local residents have been very patient and have been pulling together to assist each other to get through this very difficult time. I would like to once again congratulate all of the emergency service workers and volunteers who have assisted in bringing some normality back to the community. (Time expired)