Lilydale's weather, homes and network
Storm country
In June 2021 the Dandenong Ranges bore the brunt and thousands of trees came down. In August 2024, AusNet's longest sustained weather event in over a decade hit the Yarra Ranges among the hardest.
Floods too
VICSES lists significant Yarra Ranges floods in 2005, 2010 and 2011, and Lilydale has its own Local Flood Guide.
Bushfire-safety tech at the substation
AusNet's Lilydale zone substation is one of 22 fitted with rapid earth fault current limiters, technology the Victorian Government mandated in 2016 to cut the risk of fires starting from line faults.
A big new estate
Kinley, on the former Lilydale Quarry, covers 163 hectares and is expected to deliver over 3,200 dwellings.
Who to call
AusNet handles faults and fallen lines on 13 17 99, and runs a separate life support line on 1800 818 832.
When the power goes out in a storm
Report it to AusNet
Call 13 17 99 or check AusNet's Outage Tracker. If you rely on life support equipment, use the priority line.
Keep back from fallen lines
Stay more than 8 to 10 metres away, treat them as live, and call 000 if anyone's at risk.
Turn off the main switch if your home was damaged
Only if you can reach it safely. The SES takes storm damage calls on 132 500.
Get it checked before switching back on
Anything wet or damaged needs a licensed electrician to look at it first.
New homes at Kinley and beyond
A new house comes with a modern board, but the extras are yours to plan. On AusNet's network, new rooftop solar needs a solar emergency backstop, which keeps the inverter online. An EV charger needs its own circuit, and Solar Victoria suggests choosing an electrician with experience installing them.
If you're building, decide on the battery, charger and solar before the electrician does the rough-in, so the cable is in the walls before the plaster goes on.
If we lived in Lilydale
We'd keep a torch, a charged phone and AusNet's fault number handy every winter. In an older house, we'd get the board checked before storm season; in a new one at Kinley, we'd ask for space on the board for a battery, even if you're not buying one yet.
Want a specialist to sort it?
Tell us the job and your postcode. We match the licence-checked local electrician who does this kind of work, and they call you. No ring-around, and your number goes to them alone.