Powerful boost for Sunshine Coast homes and businesses

Work is set to start on a $4 million-plus project to boost electricity supplies to the booming northern end of the Sunshine Coast.

Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said early work on a new substation at Peregian Springs was expected to start next week.

“The Sunshine Coast is one of the fastest growing areas in the ENERGEX South East Queensland distribution area,” Mr Wilson said.

“On average, around 20 new houses and units and four commercial or industrial premises are connected to the electricity network every working day.

“There’s no question that the areas around Coolum and Peregian are surging ahead, with local power demand increasing at rates above regional and national averages,” he said.

Minister Wilson said ENERGEX was investing heavily in the electricity network in the company’s North Coast regional area with more than $85 million allocated to various upgrades in the financial year just past. This expenditure followed an $80 million investment in 2005/06.

“Vegetation work will start at the site of the new substation on Doonan Bridge East Road next week with the project due to run until the end of the year.

“The substation works coincide with more than $800,000 worth of local electricity network upgrades including some underground cable laying and upgrades to overhead lines.

“Once completed, the new substation and an improved local supply network will give ENERGEX technicians more switching options to restore power faster in the event of unexpected damage to the network by storms, wild weather, vehicles hitting power poles or accidental damage to underground cables,” Mr Wilson said.

ENERGEX will take all reasonable measures to reduce inconvenience to the community and thanks residents and motorists in advance for their patience and understanding during this important upgrade to the local electricity network.

The project is part of a record $4 billion-plus five-year capital expenditure program currently being undertaken by ENERGEX.

This financial year ENERGEX is investing $827 million on upgrades to its electricity network while a further $293 million has been set aside to maintain and operate the network – that’s an overall average of more than $3 million a day.

Media Inquiries: Minister's Office      Ellen McIntyre 3225 1819

         Energex Office Hours (07) 3407 4420 or After Hours (07) 3407 5191