Published Thursday, 16 August, 2007 at 02:43 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Mines and Energy
The Honourable Geoff Wilson
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
SUPER ‘NERVE’ CENTRES TO POWER REGIONAL QUEENSLAND: PREMIER
Ergon Energy’s new control centres in Townsville and Rockhampton – worth a combined total of $60 million – are set to change the way the company responds to emergencies in regional Queensland, Premier Peter Beattie said at today’s official opening.
“For the first time, control centre operators in Townsville and Rockhampton will have control of almost the entire Ergon Energy electricity network,” Mr Beattie said.
“That’s no simple feat when you consider a supply network of around a million power poles, 150,000 kilometres of powerlines and more than 300 substations,” he said.
“These super control centres – the first of their kind in Queensland – will be the nerve centre of the network and either one of them will be able to take over in an emergency.
“If for some unforeseen reason Townsville is out of action, then Rockhampton will swing into gear.”
The Premier said the new centres would be backed by facilities in Cairns, Maryborough, Mackay and Toowoomba and supported by crews on 24-hour rosters at depots across Ergon Energy’s entire electricity network.
“They’ll also boost safety for field staff,” he said.
“If you’ve got workers in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night, looking for a wire that’s down, with the rain and wind lashing around them, it’s a difficult place to be making decisions.
“With this new centralised system, there will always be someone at the control centre to guide them with the precise information at their fingertips.”
Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said communities spread across regional Queensland would be the big winners.
“They’ll reap the benefits of a better and safer electricity network,” Mr Wilson said.
Minister Wilson said a record amount of almost $800 million would be spent by Ergon Energy on its capital expenditure this financial year.
“More than $80 million has been earmarked for vegetation management to make power lines safer in the lead up to the summer storm season, and $10 million has been set aside for cyclone-prone communities,” he said.
“When disaster strikes, Ergon Energy is resourced to swing into action and can move hundreds of people around the State to restore power.
“This is timely given weather bureau predictions of more severe storms on the horizon.”
Member for Rockhampton and Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology Robert Schwarten congratulated Ergon Energy workers at Rockhampton’s new control centre.
“It’s not a matter of if, but when summer storms hit the tropics and I take my hat off to the workers who will be out there restoring power to our regional communities.”
Chair of the Ergon Energy Board Keith Hilless said the new control centres at Townsville and Rockhampton are world-class.
“These centres are set to play a crucial role in further strengthening our electricity network,” Mr Hilless said.
“Ergon Energy will be better equipped to mobilise its resources to restore electricity as quickly as possible to affected areas without jeopardising the safety of crews,” he said.
Media contacts:
Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Minister Wilson’s Office 3225 1819
Minister Schwarten’s Office 3237 1184
“For the first time, control centre operators in Townsville and Rockhampton will have control of almost the entire Ergon Energy electricity network,” Mr Beattie said.
“That’s no simple feat when you consider a supply network of around a million power poles, 150,000 kilometres of powerlines and more than 300 substations,” he said.
“These super control centres – the first of their kind in Queensland – will be the nerve centre of the network and either one of them will be able to take over in an emergency.
“If for some unforeseen reason Townsville is out of action, then Rockhampton will swing into gear.”
The Premier said the new centres would be backed by facilities in Cairns, Maryborough, Mackay and Toowoomba and supported by crews on 24-hour rosters at depots across Ergon Energy’s entire electricity network.
“They’ll also boost safety for field staff,” he said.
“If you’ve got workers in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night, looking for a wire that’s down, with the rain and wind lashing around them, it’s a difficult place to be making decisions.
“With this new centralised system, there will always be someone at the control centre to guide them with the precise information at their fingertips.”
Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said communities spread across regional Queensland would be the big winners.
“They’ll reap the benefits of a better and safer electricity network,” Mr Wilson said.
Minister Wilson said a record amount of almost $800 million would be spent by Ergon Energy on its capital expenditure this financial year.
“More than $80 million has been earmarked for vegetation management to make power lines safer in the lead up to the summer storm season, and $10 million has been set aside for cyclone-prone communities,” he said.
“When disaster strikes, Ergon Energy is resourced to swing into action and can move hundreds of people around the State to restore power.
“This is timely given weather bureau predictions of more severe storms on the horizon.”
Member for Rockhampton and Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology Robert Schwarten congratulated Ergon Energy workers at Rockhampton’s new control centre.
“It’s not a matter of if, but when summer storms hit the tropics and I take my hat off to the workers who will be out there restoring power to our regional communities.”
Chair of the Ergon Energy Board Keith Hilless said the new control centres at Townsville and Rockhampton are world-class.
“These centres are set to play a crucial role in further strengthening our electricity network,” Mr Hilless said.
“Ergon Energy will be better equipped to mobilise its resources to restore electricity as quickly as possible to affected areas without jeopardising the safety of crews,” he said.
Media contacts:
Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Minister Wilson’s Office 3225 1819
Minister Schwarten’s Office 3237 1184