Powerful boost for Gold Coast electricity supply

The switch has been flicked on $45 million worth of upgrades at three Gold Coast substations with planning for another $8.5 million project already underway.

Nearly 13,000 homes and businesses in Surfers Paradise will benefit from a multi-million dollar upgrade as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s 2019-20 Budget,

The project, which is in the planning and design stage, comes hot on the heels of Energex  upgrades at three other Gold Coast substations.

The multi-stage upgrade to substations at Palm Beach, Bundall and Labrador is now complete and is bolstering power to more than 17,000 local homes and businesses.

The overall project involved the installation of new transformers at Labrador while at Palm Beach and Bundall, Energex crews upgraded electricity switching equipment.

The Surfers Paradise project is scheduled to begin in 2020. The work will include the installation of a new transformer in the Ferny Avenue facility along with associated electrical work.

Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham visited the Palm Beach substation today to inspect the recently-finished project.

“The main part of the work at these zone substations was to replace equipment that had reached retirement age, plus new buildings and associated works,” Dr Lynham said.

“This particular substation is an important part of the electricity distribution network for the Gold Coast and provides supply to about 9700 customers in the Bilinga, Currumbin, Currumbin Waters, Elanora and Palm Beach areas.” 

Dr Lynham said the upgrades to the substations were part of the Palaszczuk Government’s investment in infrastructure for Queensland communities to support current and future growth.

“While people are the heart of any community, infrastructure is the backbone and a quality electricity network certainly injects the lifeblood into the things people do every day,” he said.

Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said a safe and reliable electricity network was essential for the Gold Coast not only to provide the region with a dependable power supply to homes but also supports growth for business and the local economy.

“These upgrades will help bolster the local power network for many years to come as the government continues to invest responsibly in the State’s electricity supply.” 

“The massive upgrade to three of the Gold Coast’s larger substations and planned upgrade of a fourth require quite a lot of complex construction in the immediate area and I thank the local community for their understanding while these necessary upgrades were underway.’’

Media: Minister Lynham’s office – David Potter 0428 411 617; Energex – Justin Coomber 0437 472 442.