Powerhouse was already on-site at Weymul delivering power system upgrades as part of a broader program of infrastructure works across remote Aboriginal communities in the Pilbara. As cyclone Narelle approached, our team didn't stand down and wait.

Before the cyclone arrived, while conditions were still at yellow alert, Powerhouse mobilised to install a temporary fuel pump and took the time to show community members how to operate it themselves. The intention was deliberate: if the community was cut off, they would not be dependent on an external crew to keep the generator running, they could do it themselves.

When the cyclone passed and the river crossing became impassable, that preparation proved its worth. The community was fully isolated, with the river too high and too fast to cross safely. Once the water began to subside, a new problem emerged: the floodwaters had deposited significant volumes of sand across the access road, making it challenging to cross. Powerhouse used an excavator already on-site to grade the road, clearing the way for safe access in and out of the community.

This kind of response sits within one of Powerhouse's broader commitments – the Powering Communities Program. This is an initiative embedded into every remote community project we undertake. For each project, the crew commits a full day of skilled labour, typically 50 to 80 hours, to community-identified maintenance and infrastructure needs. Activities are agreed directly with community members, local coordinators, and Elders in the case of Indigenous communities, and range from licensed electrical repairs to building maintenance, clean-up, and informal skills sharing.

Our engagement goes beyond the work itself. Powerhouse conducts place-based inductions before commencing work on Country, maintains ongoing engagement with Traditional Owner groups throughout delivery, and trains all personnel in cross-cultural communication. Underpinning all of this is a genuine understanding of what power means in these communities – that when the lights stay on, so does water supply, refrigeration, healthcare, and food security. Our team doesn't arrive to tick off a job and leave. We show up knowing our work is loadbearing (literally) and the relationships we build are what help communities stand on their own – especially when a cyclone is coming and they need confidence the generator will keep running.

Power Station Upgrade
Cyclone Preparedness
Community Training
Powering Communities Program