Overhaul workers generate local business

Published Tuesday, 30 June, 2020 at 02:49 PM

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy
The Honourable Dr Anthony Lynham

Central Queensland businesses are enjoying the “overhaul boom” as the $50 million Stanwell Power Station overhaul brings customers and jobs to town.

Speaking in Rockhampton, Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said final preparations were on target for the two-month overhaul to start on schedule on Saturday.

“Economies around the world have been hit by the global coronavirus pandemic,” the Minister said.

“That’s why Queensland has a plan which includes a $50 billion infrastructure to support jobs.

“We also want to support Queensland businesses wherever we can and that’s what’s happening here.

“The COVID-safe plans are in place, the 150 local workers are hired and specialist workers are still coming in, filling local beds.

“Queensland has tough times ahead, like the rest of the world, but the Government is rolling out our economic plan for recovery, Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs.”

Assistant Education Minister and Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga said the publicly-owned Stanwell Power Station and its overhauls were an important contributor to the CQ economy.

“Every year, these overhauls generate business for local accommodation providers like the Southside Holiday Village,” she said.

“This year, as Queensland recovers from COVID-19, this is a much-needed shot in the arm for the local CQ economy.”

Dr Lynham and Ms Lauga inspected preparations at Stanwell today, including meeting local business Highpoint Access and Rescue, who are working on the overhaul, as well as visiting Southside Holiday Village.

Village proprietors Cindy and Nev O’Neill have overhaul contractors staying in 110 of their 130 cabins, with more to come by Saturday.

“This is important business for us every year, but particularly so this year with COVID-19,” they said.

The overhaul is bringing in 450 specialist workers from other parts of Queensland, interstate and overseas, including steam turbine engineers and turbine maintenance specialists.

Dr Lynham said Stanwell had worked closely with CQ Health on the overhaul COVID-safe plan, which included:

  • digital thermometers for all workers to do daily temperature self-checks
  • temperature checks via thermographic cameras and paramedic checks at the entrance
  • COVID-19 tests for workers during the project
  • an extra 240 cleaning hours a week, particularly for high-traffic areas like lunchrooms.

“These measures help protect the workforce, and the local community, as these workers spend their downtime and their dollars in CQ’s local clubs, pubs, cafes and restaurants.”

Work starts this Saturday, 5 July and continues until 5 September. Queensland’s publicly-owned electricity companies – Powerlink, Ergon, Energex, CS Energy, Stanwell Corp and CleanCo – are investing more than $2.2 billion on capital works in 2019-20, supporting up to 4900 jobs.   

More information on the overhaul can be found at Stanwell’s website.

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Media inquiries: Michael Saunders 0428 411 617