New Ergon building powers ahead

The construction site of the new Ergon Energy building in Rockhampton is a hive of activity as workers hit the halfway mark with civil engineering works along Glenmore Road.

Energy Minister Mark Bailey and Member for Rockhampton Bill Byrne inspected progress on the $38 million project during the Palaszczuk Government’s first Community Cabinet meeting in Central Queensland.

“Community Cabinet is an opportunity for ministers and heads of government departments to spend more time in regional areas like Rocky, listening to the local community about local issues of concern,” Mr Bailey said.  

“I know job security is one of those issues. That’s why it’s great to be here with Bill Byrne at this building site. It’s generating more than 300 jobs at a time when job security is more important than ever. It’s also giving a much-needed boost to the local construction industry.”

When completed by the end of the year, the new, centralised depot and office complex will enable Ergon Energy to deliver more streamlined and efficient operations.

Mr Byrne said that with everything under the one roof, Ergon would be able to respond even better to natural disasters like cyclones.

“This job-generating project would have been at risk under the previous LNP government’s plan to privatise public assets. Hundreds of jobs would have been slashed.”

“We went to the election with a commitment to keep these vital public assets and merge the power entities of Ergon Energy, Energex and Powerlink. We will keep our promise to Queenslanders and remain committed to no forced redundancies.”

Mr Byrne said projects like the new Ergon Energy building were delivering major benefits to the region’s economy with materials being locally sourced and a largely local workforce on site.

“It reflects the Palaszczuk Government’s drive to deliver jobs in regional Queensland and provide safe and reliable electricity supplies to households and businesses across our region," he said.

“In the cyclone and summer storm season, it’s not a matter of if we lose power, but when and it’s reassuring to know that Ergon Energy is well-equipped with the resources it needs to swiftly respond to whatever nature throws at our electricity network."

Media Contact:      

Minister Bailey’s Office       0438 768 734

Minister Byrne’s Office       0448 994 172