Mackay region benefits from cyclone funding increase

Two hospitals and community evacuation centres, a major regional airport, police stations, schools and key shopping complexes will make up some of the facilities earmarked to benefit from increased Cyclone Area Reliability Enhancement (CARE) projects by Ergon Energy this year.

Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson said the funding would enable Ergon Energy to be better equipped to deal with the ravages of the cyclone season.

“The 40% boost to the CARE funding was announced at the 2006 Cyclone Summit Living with Cyclones – Queensland prepared in Cairns last December,” Mr Wilson said.

“The increase of CARE funding to $10 million is primarily due to the success of existing network CARE enhancements – particularly following Cyclone Larry’s impact in far north Queensland earlier this year.

“There’s a raft of network enhancements across several regional cyclone-prone areas,” he said.

Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin said the community will benefit immensely through increases in this important funding.

“The evacuation centre, supermarkets and other key community infrastructure in Mackay and Airlie Beach will benefit directly through the extra funds,” Mr Mulherin said.

“On top of this, stage two of the Mackay Airport connection is ear-marked for upgrades along with the Mackay harbour precinct network.

“The projects are expected to commence later this year,” he said.

The CARE program is aimed at strengthening Ergon Energy’s electricity network against the impacts of storm and cyclone activity along Queensland’s most cyclone-prone coastal zone.

Ergon Energy has dedicated $6 million per year to CARE works since 2001, with recent analysis of the program’s benefits providing firm evidence to support the increase in funding for similar projects.

With around $30 million spent to date through undergrounding works and enhancements to critical areas of overhead high voltage network supplying power to essential community services, hospitals and emergency service facilities, CARE has benefited a number of communities including Port Douglas, Cairns, Tully, Innisfail, Townsville, Ayr, Home Hill, Bowen, Proserpine, Mackay and Sarina.

Media Inquiries: Ministerial Brooke Johnson (07) 3224 7332

Ergon Energy Bob Pleash 0419 714 270