Booming central Gold Coast area benefits from power boost

More than 7000 homes and businesses in the booming Varsity Lakes and Robina areas will benefit from the recent completion of a $670,000 upgrade to the local electricity network.

Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson said the upgrade involved the installation of 2.4km of new underground power cables around the ENERGEX substation at Main Street, Varsity Lakes.

“The project also included a range of associated upgrades in the Reedy Creek Road area,” Mr Wilson said.

“The new cables will provide increased capacity in the local power network as well as catering for current and future growth in the area.

“The Gold Coast is one of the fastest growing parts of ENERGEX’s South East Queensland distribution area with an average of almost 150 new houses, units and commercial premises connecting to the local electricity network every week,” he said.

Member for Mudgeeraba Dianne Reilly said ENERGEX spent more than $330 million upgrading the region’s electricity network in the past three years to meet this massive growth.

“The Varsity Lakes project will benefit homes and businesses in the Robina, Mudgeeraba, Tallai, Burleigh Heads, Burleigh Waters and Varsity Lakes areas,” Ms Reilly said.

“Importantly the project also provides ENERGEX technicians with more switching options to restore power faster should unexpected damage occur to the network.

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

“In the 2007-08 financial year ENERGEX is investing $827 million 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,” she said.

Media inquiries: Brooke Johnson (07) 3224 7332