$47 million project completed ahead of schedule

A $47 million Powerlink Queensland project to reinforce electricity supply to the Brisbane CBD, eastern suburbs and the Australia TradeCoast region has been completed.

Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson said a new transmission line from Belmont to Murarrie would ensure a secure and reliable electricity supply to support development in the region.

“The first stage of the Belmont to Murarrie project was the construction of a new transmission line to reinforce high voltage electricity supply,” Mr Wilson said.

“This was followed by the removal of a superseded section of an old transmission line.

“Electricity demand in the Brisbane CBD, Australia TradeCoast and surrounding areas has continued to grow strongly at around 6% a year,” he said.

State Member for Mansfield Phil Reeves said construction of the new transmission line was completed in September 2006.

“The removal of the old line was completed late last month – about 10 months ahead of schedule,” Mr Reeves said.

“The upgrade means that Powerlink can continue to meet the electricity demand in our fast growing region.

“The growth was driven by increases in population and new commercial and residential developments.

“The high growth rates are expected to continue well into the future,” he said.

Powerlink Chief Executive, Gordon Jardine, said the project included the construction of a 275,000 volt (275kV) transmission line extending from Belmont Substation, at Wecker Road, Mansfield to the new Murarrie Substation, at Lytton Road, Murarrie.

“The project management and construction teams faced several challenges when constructing the new line,” Mr Jardine said.

“One of these challenges included stringing transmission lines across the Gateway Motorway, several arterial roads, and popular green spaces such as Minnippi Parklands.”

Powerlink employed several innovative techniques to help minimise impacts on the environment, local residents and motorists during construction, including using helicopters to string the new lines.

“Constructing a high voltage transmission line that crosses major roads is a complex exercise in project management,” Mr Jardine said.

“By using helicopters to string the lines, Powerlink’s project management teams were able to successfully complete the project with minimal disruption to traffic and local residents.”

The project also included building lines through popular green spaces such as the Minnippi Parklands, which stretch from Tingalpa to Carindale.

Powerlink’s comprehensive Environmental Management Plan helped limit environmental impacts within these areas.

Mr Jardine said Powerlink’s environmental team had worked closely with the construction contractor, the Brisbane City Council, and local environmental groups, including Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee, to ensure the Environmental Management Plan and other environmental obligations were progressively implemented.

“This included establishing new crossing corridors for local Squirrel Glider populations, placing tree hollows and logs found during the vegetation clearing in areas of bushland near Mt Petrie Road to create natural habitats for local fauna and using GPS technology to assess individual areas and selectively clear or trim trees.”

Mr Jardine said the cooperation of landowners, contractors and agencies that Powerlink worked with during construction of the Belmont to Murarrie transmission line helped ensure the project was successfully completed ahead of schedule.

Media Inquiries: Ministerial Office Brooke Johnson (07) 3224 7332

Powerlink Melissa Azzopardi (07) 3860 2806

or 0418 181538