The outage began around 6:30am on Monday when a vehicle struck a power pole in Birdwoodton, near Mildura. Electricity distributor Powercor initially hoped to restore power by Wednesday afternoon but extended the timeframe to midday Friday for the majority of the network.
Among those left without electricity are 24 supported accommodation homes run by Sunraysia Residential Services (SRS). Marian Luehman, CEO of SRS, said many affected residents are elderly or living with a disability and rely on electricity for medical equipment and everyday tasks.
"Prolonged periods without power can be distressing and isolating," she said. "Uncertainty around restoration timeframes can add further anxiety, particularly for those already facing health or personal challenges."
Ms Luehman called for stronger emergency response arrangements, including access to generators, alternative accommodation, transport assistance and targeted welfare checks for vulnerable residents.
One domestic violence survivor, identified as Sarah to protect her privacy, said the outage has increased her anxiety because her home security cameras are offline. The cameras had previously helped her feel safe after a former partner would watch her property from across the road.
"I spent quite some time not being able to shower or sleep in the dark unless I had someone there to ensure I was safe," Sarah said. "The cameras helped me a great deal."
Victoria Police expressed concern for the victim-survivor and urged anyone feeling threatened to call Triple Zero immediately. However, Mildura Acting Inspector Daron Hulls said police would not respond to alarm activations triggered by the power failure, advising residents to manually lock doors and windows.
In the case of a break-in, Acting Inspector Hulls said victims would need to contact police and provide supporting evidence such as phone calls or observations. He encouraged residents to remain calm and check on neighbours.