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Category: Hydro Energy / Electricity Energy and Utilities

Hydro Tasmania hires extra media help in energy crisis

Friday, 29 Apr 2016 05:10:58 | Richard Baines

Hydro has had to respond to many questions about the importation of diesel generators. (ABC News: Ellen Coulter)

Tasmania's state-owned power company has spent thousands of dollars on temporary media and communications staff during the state's ongoing energy crisis.

Key points:

  • Two extra media staff on board in March to help respond to questions
  • Hydro says extra staff also helped cover for sick and annual leave
  • Total bill for extra staff in March $3419

Right to Information documents obtained by the ABC show Hydro Tasmania spent almost $3,500 in March on extra staff to help answer questions as it grappled with low dam levels and the continuing Bass Strait power cable outage.

An external public relations consultant and a communications expert from TasNetworks were engaged by Hydro for a total of seven days in March.

The external consultant worked for five days, while the TasNetworks staff member was seconded for two days.

The total bill for the seven days of work was $3,419, averaging a cost of almost $500 a day.

Hydro stated in the document that it had used its staff in the brand and communications team to manage issues raised during the three months to the end of February, but that because of increased media interest generated by the "energy supply issue" it was necessary to take on extra staff.

The document argues the additional workers were justified:

"The additional resources provided support during a very busy time for the business and to enable the business to meet the demands and expectations of a range of clients, such as the print and electronic media, industry publications, and our own people.

"The additional resources also provided appropriate cover for staff on annual leave and sick days."

March was a testing time for Hydro, with dam levels falling below 14 per cent and Lake Gordon reaching a record low 6.7 per cent capacity.

The extra staff were in addition to Hydro's existing media team.

Hydro will not say whether the consultant has been in April.

AustraliaPlus


 

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