20,000 Gold Coast homes and businesses get $6.7 million power boost

More than 20,000 homes and businesses in eight Gold Coast suburbs will benefit from a recently completed project to increase the electricity capacity at ENERGEX’s Burleigh Heads substation.

Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson said the $6.7 million upgrade involved the installation of a new transformer at the Kortum Drive substation.

“The new transformer is designed to cater for a surge in power demand in the area as well as to meet future growth,” Mr Wilson said.

“The Gold Coast area is one of the fastest growing parts of ENERGEX’s South East Queensland distribution area with dozens of new houses and units and commercial premises connecting to the local electricity network every working day.

“And there is no question that the areas around the city’s central and southern suburbs are surging with local power demand increasing at rates above regional and national averages,” he said.

Member for Burleigh Christine Smith said more than 20,000 homes and businesses in Burleigh Heads, West Burleigh, Burleigh Waters, Elanora, Andrews, Reedy Creek, Varsity Lakes and Tallebudgera would directly benefit from the substation upgrade.

“The increase in the substation capacity and associated local supply network upgrades will not only improve existing electricity supplies, but will provide ENERGEX technicians more switching options to restore power faster if unexpected damage to the network occurs,” Mrs Smith said.

“ENERGEX is investing to improve the electricity network in the South Coast regional area with more than $115 million allocated to various upgrades in the recently completed financial year.

“This expenditure follows more than $105 million invested in 2005/06,” she said.

The Burleigh project is part of a record $4 billion-plus five-year capital expenditure program currently being undertaken by ENERGEX. ENERGEX is investing $827 million this year on upgrades to its electricity network while a further $306 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: Brooke Johnson (07) 3224 7332