MSD -17012022-NSW-E-C-P-SOUTHERN NSW_RUNL_EXT1

Delay due to severe weather events in the South Coast, Snowy Mountains, South West Slopes, Southern Tablelands Districts and Australian Capital Territory District and parts of the Riverina, Central West Slopes & Plains and Illawarra Districts of New South Wales.

As previously notified by Optus on Monday 24^th January 2022, the South Coast, Snowy Mountains, South West Slopes, Southern Tablelands Districts and Australian Capital Territory District and parts of the Riverina, Central West Slopes & Plains and Illawarra Districts of New South Wales were impacted by severe weather on or about Friday 14 January 2022 through to Saturday 15 January 2022. This event resulted in extensive damage to the network. Due to the extent of damage to the network, the impact in the affected region has been greater than initially estimated, and as a consequence of the continued weather effects, the expected recovery date has now been extended to 20 March 2022.

The effect of these circumstances applies to an additional 300 services bringing the total number of services impacted to approximately 660 services. This number may increase as Optus assesses the full effect of the severe weather conditions. Based on current information, the resumption date of normal service operations is expected to be 20 March 2022. This date is indicative only; Optus customers should anticipate that some further delays may occur.

Optus services encompassed in this exemption are in the area bounded by and including, but are not limited to the area starting at Werri Beach following the coastline south past Jervis Bay, Ulladulla and Bermagui to the NSW/VIC border and continues following the NSW/VIC border westerly to Bringenbrong then north to Greg Greg. From Greg Greg the area heads northwest to Munderoo, west to Lowesdale, northwest to Moonbria, and northeast to Mabins Well then north to Goolgowi. The area turns northeast to Tullibigeal, east to Corinella, southeast to Quandialla, and east to Hovells Creek then northeast to Wyangala. From Wyangala the area heads east to Porters Retreat, southeast to Wingello then east back to Werri Beach. All suburbs and towns, off shore islands and coastal areas serviced by Optus within these boundaries are encompassed.

How will this affect you?

Unfortunately, your service may be affected and we may take longer than normal to fix telephone services or complete connections. Services in the area mentioned above with phone numbers in the following number ranges may have been affected:

0242340000 to 0242349999 | 0248541000 to 0248542999 | 0259633000 to 0259763999

0242931000 to 0242931999 | 0248600000 to 0248899999 | 0260232800 to 0260527999

0244059000 to 0244059999 | 0253098000 to 0253098999 | 0260651000 to 0260655999

0244078000 to 0244078999 | 0253106000 to 0253106999 | 0260870000 to 0260879999

0244123000 to 0244299999 | 0253530000 to 0253538999 | 0261180000 to 0261629099

0244410000 to 0244799999 | 0253540000 to 0253548999 | 0261830000 to 0261831999

0244810000 to 0244819999 | 0253553000 to 0253555999 | 0261910000 to 0262999999

0246020000 to 0246020999 | 0259083000 to 0259083999 | 0263800000 to 0263916999

0246031000 to 0246032999 | 0259090000 to 0259093999 | 0264270000 to 0264272999

0246200000 to 0246599999 | 0259138000 to 0259138999 | 0264480000 to 0264599999

0246770000 to 0246849999 | 0259244000 to 0259433999 | 0264910000 to 0264999999

0248200000 to 0248499999 | 0259590000 to 0259598999 | 0269197000 to 0269951499

We’re sorry for any inconvenience this delay may cause but we can assure you we are working hard to get things back on track.

What else do you need to know?

Information as to the nature of the severe weather events, which included heavy rainfall, damaging winds and large hailstones which occurred in the affected regions can be sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). The BOM issued Severe Weather Warnings regarding these events commencing from on or about Friday 14 January 2022 through to Saturday 15 January 2022. Additionally these unusually severe weather events have been widely reported by most of the news media.

Due to this event, we’re claiming an exemption under section 21 of the Telecommunications (Customer Service Guarantee) Standard 2011, including an exemption from the payment of compensation between 17 January 2022 to 20 March 2022 inclusive for any delays in fixing or connecting services, and the keeping of appointments relating to these activities in the impacted area.

Need more information?

If you have any questions regarding your eligibility for a CSG payment under this notice, or wish to have us reconsider whether the circumstances were a proper basis for claiming an exemption, you can contact Optus on 13 39 37 quoting CSG exemption reference number 17012022-NSW-E-C-P-SOUTHERN NSW_RUNL_EXT1

You can also view a copy of this notice on our Internet site www.optus.com.au/msd

If, after calling Optus on the above number, you remain unsatisfied with our response to your query, you have the option of raising the matter with the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO).  Information on the TIO and contact details are available on the Internet (www.tio.com.au) and in the White Pages® telephone directory.