Sydney Terrorism Warning System Reviewed After Power Failure

The 2-hour shutdown yesterday left more than one-third of public address systems in the city center inoperable, New South Wales Premier Nathan Rees told the state parliament today.

“I want this system to operate when it’s needed most,” Rees said, announcing that the government intends to ensure uninterrupted power to all the 49 loudspeakers.

The power cut knocked out 137 sets of traffic lights and left 70,000 homes and businesses in Sydney without electricity after a 132,000-volt cable failed, triggering an automatic shutdown. Roads, including the tunnel under Sydney harbor, were closed and dozens of people had to be rescued from lifts.