Minister praises Ergon Energy workers

Ergon Energy crews worked around the clock from Friday afternoon until Sunday night responding to storm damage across the Wide Bay/Burnett and Darling Downs.

Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson today paid tribute to Ergon Energy workers who worked over the weekend to restore power to communities hit by the violent storm.

“Around 150 workers went to work after destructive storms brought down power poles and wires and damaged homes and properties across the region.

“The efforts put in by field crews and depot staff ought to be commended,” he said.

On Friday night, around 38,000 customers lost supply across the eastern and southern Downs from 3pm.

Power had been restored to all but 3000 by 8pm that night. Major damage had been fixed and power restored to the majority of homes and businesses by Saturday morning.

On Saturday afternoon and evening, around 50,000 customers across Wide Bay and the Darling Downs lost supply.

By Sunday morning, only around 1000 customers in Wide Bay and 400 in the Toowoomba area remained without supply.

Crews were able to have power restored to most properties by Sunday afternoon.

Response crews worked up to 16 hours straight and were rostered on and off right across the weekend in line with fatigue management procedures.

“At a time when many people are enjoying a relaxed wind-down to Christmas, Ergon Energy workers have done an amazing job to respond so efficiently to such widespread damage,” he said.

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