Power

Power is more often than not required to run an event. The options for power are either established mains power or temporary power i.e. Generators. Some of Council’s parks and reserves have mains power. With the use of power for events comes an increase of risk and you will need to consider this when you are undertaking your Risk Management Plan. The following suggestions need to be taken into consideration to maintain a safe and successful event site. 
Power considerations for all events (indoor and outdoor): 

• Ensure you have a qualified electrician on stand by on the day of your event. 
• Know your exact requirements for your event and the type of power that you will require i.e. 3-phase power, single-phase power. 
• For an event with multiple power requirements, consider a contingency of providing 10% additional power resources to allow for incidentals. 
• If site holders or external parties require power, ask them to nominate their requirements including what needs power and ensure that all electrical items at the event (including coffee machines, PA systems and rides) are tagged and tested. In your confirmation letter to site holders make it clear that they are only to power up what they have been given prior permission for and that all cords are in good functioning order and have been tagged and tested. 
• Do not use power boards or double adaptors as you can overload the points depending on what is plugged in. 
• All extension leads, appliances and anything to be powered must be tagged and tested by an accredited electrician. 
• Don’t assume all power points are in working order. Test them prior to your event. 
• Place the powered items in close proximity to the power source. Power leads are a trip hazard and need to be considered in your Risk Management Plan. Where possible all leads should be taped down or covered by cable matting. If this is not possible you need to place a barrier over the leads so that it is clearly not an access path. 
• Do not join extension leads together to make a long lead as this can overload the cable and can cause fire hazards. Source the one lead for the required length. 
• At any stage of your event, if you or appropriate event staff are not satisfied with the power set up, equipment or leads provided then you must act on it. As the events organiser you have the right to cut access to power based on the safety requirements of your event. 

Power considerations for outdoor events: 

• If you are using mains power either through an established power box or a pavilion you will need to seek permission from Leisure Services. All power boxes and pavilions are locked and you will need to request keys from the Community Events Officer on 9294 5561. 
• If you require generators use a reputable service provider. 
• Prior to placing your order with the generator company know your power requirements. Make sure you discuss the requirement for leads, distribution boards and cable matting (to be placed over leads on the ground). Over estimate your requirements for cable matting. 
• Under no circumstances are leads to be threaded through trees as this can cause fire hazards. Approved equipment for overhead leads needs to be supplied by the Generator Company and installed/set up by an accredited electrician. 
• All electrical work is to be undertaken and checked by an accredited electrician. 

Consider your programming in regards to your power requirements. Generators can be expensive and sometimes noisy to operate. For smaller events, question the value of the powered item as an enhancement to your program weighted against the additional planning and costs associated with your event. 
The three main generators of greenhouse gas emissions at events are patrons’ cars; food kilometres traveled by non-local products; and power used by event equipment including but not limited to lighting, sound systems, power generators. 
It may be possible to reduce direct consumption of power by people providing goods and services at the event by addressing the following:

• Is it possible to switch electricity available on site to ‘green power’? 
• Can one or more generators be powered by biodiesel? Can one by trialled? 
• Consider inviting ‘Future Spark’ to your event for fun, fitness and education. Future Spark provides a facility with bikes which, when pedalled, generate power to the electricity grid and thus provide a green power offset for your event. For instance, 16 bikes pedalled for 1 week raised the power for a 2.5 hour Earth Hour concert 
• Consider inviting the ‘Big Red Bus’ for a sustainably powered music event. 
• Offsetting greenhouse gas emissions 

Once you have considered all possibilities available to avoid and reduce power consumption can the remaining emissions be offset to reduce the environment impact of the event.