$930,000 power upgrade to benefit Gold Coast hinterland

Energex is set to start work on a $930,000 boost to power supplies in Mudgeeraba which will benefit more than 1600 homes and businesses in the area.

Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson said as part of the project 2.9 kilometres of underground power cables would be installed.

“The cables will run between the Energex substation in Franklin Drive to the existing power network on Hardys Road,” Mr Wilson said.

“The upgrade is designed to meet the rapid growth in electricity use in the area.

“The Gold Coast is one of Energex’s fastest growth areas.

“In the past two years Energex has spent more than $200 million upgrading the region’s electricity network,” he said.

Member for Mudgeeraba Dianne Reilly said the project would directly benefit homes and businesses in parts of Austinville, Bonogin, Mudgeeraba, Robina and Tallai.

“The upgrade will also indirectly benefit people in Beechmont, Natural Bridge, Neranwood, Numinbah Valley and Springbrook,” Mrs Reilly said.

“This is a great project for the local community.

“Work associated with this project involves excavating and digging trenches to lay new cables.

“As a precaution, Energex will put up safety barriers around the worksite and where required traffic controllers will direct traffic,” she said.

Energex will take all reasonable measures to reduce inconvenience to the community and for any disruption caused during this important upgrade to the local power network.

Energex has a strong focus on installing new electricity works underground where practical.

In the last four years Energex has installed almost 3000 km of new underground electricity cable in south east Queensland – about the equivalent distance of travelling by road from Brisbane to Darwin.

Energex is spending $643 million this year on the electricity network while a further $263 million has been set aside to maintain and operate the network.

Energex supplies electricity to around 2.7 million people in south east Queensland.

The company’s distribution area of 25,000 square kilometres includes almost 50,000km of underground and overhead electricity lines and cables, over half a million power poles, some 40,000 transformers and more than 260,000 street lights.

Media inquiries: Brooke Johnson (07) 3224 7332