Zinfra marks first year of distribution operations and maintenance services agreement with AusNet
The agreement was established to provide essential operations and maintenance services across AusNet’s electricity distribution network, supporting planned maintenance, fault response, customer connections and network improvements across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Throughout the year, Zinfra has also delivered a significant bushfire mitigation program across Victoria’s highest bushfire risk areas, completing 24,400 hours of bushfire mitigation works and raising and managing 4,557 notifications during the peak fire season. Across the broader Network Delivery program, teams have completed 310,000 maintenance hours, managed 12,125 notifications, serviced an 89,000km² network area and delivered 170,000 fault repairs.
Zinfra General Manager of One Distribution, James Quigley, said the first year of the agreement reflected the strength of the partnership between Zinfra and AusNet and the commitment of the people delivering critical work across Victoria.
“Reaching the first anniversary of the DOMSA is an important milestone and one that reflects the dedication of our people and the strong partnership we’ve built with AusNet,” Quigley said. “Our teams work every day to safely maintain and improve the electricity network that powers homes, businesses and communities across Eastern Victoria, often in challenging environments and changing conditions.”
AusNet Services General Manager, Network Operations and Delivery Ross Young said the partnership with Zinfra focuses on delivering reliable power to businesses and households.
“Together, we’ve continued to strengthen the network while maintaining a strong focus on safety, operational excellence and delivering reliable outcomes for customers,” he said. “Our teams were responsive and worked rapidly during the Victorian bushfires to help keep communities connected and safely restore power as quickly as possible.”
Quigley highlighted the 76 apprentices working across the contract, developing the skills and experience they’ll need for long term careers in the industry.
“For our 2027 intake, we’re expecting to increase that number to around 90 apprentices, helping build the skilled workforce needed to support Victoria’s evolving energy network for years to come,” he said. “What has been particularly pleasing over the past 12 months is the collaborative approach between our teams and AusNet.”
Over the past 12 months, Zinfra has delivered a broad range of planned maintenance activities including the bushfire mitigation program, emergency response works, new connections, and customer works, while continuing to invest in workforce capability, operational improvements and innovation to support the long-term performance of the electricity network.