Transgrid under pressure as NSW inquiry examines how failed backup generators left Broken Hill in the dark

NSW premier Chris Minns says state’s far west let down by privatisation after region’s only working large-scale emergency generator failed

Chris Minns is flying to Broken Hill after a storm left about 20,000 people without power and put pressure on the energy operator Transgrid to explain why it did not have a backup plan to prevent the outage.

The New South Wales premier will meet affected residents on Thursday after announcing an inquiry and declaring a natural disaster to unlock emergency relief funding for the outback town and surrounding communities.

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‘Streets were flowing’: Broken Hill reeling after record rainfall and deadly flash flooding

Man killed while trying to help friends as sudden downpour damaged roads and footpaths

Broken Hill, in far western New South Wales, has been left reeling after record rainfall led to a drowning death and damaged roads and footpaths.

The State Emergency Service was called to several flood rescues after up to 140mm of rain fell on parts of the city on Tuesday afternoon.

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