Townsville transmission line projects nearing completion

Published Tuesday, 16 October, 2007 at 10:09 AM

Minister for Mines and Energy
The Honourable Geoff Wilson

Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson today announced that Powerlink Queensland would soon complete construction of two new high voltage electricity transmission lines in the Townsville and Thuringowa areas in projects worth more than $42 million.

“The demand for electricity in the northern Townsville and Thuringowa areas is growing rapidly as a result of increasing commercial, industrial and residential electricity use,” Mr Wilson said.

“To ensure a reliable high voltage electricity supply is continued to be maintained to the area, Powerlink will soon complete two major transmission line projects.

“One of these projects is the Bohle River to Townsville (GT) Power Station transmission line project, which will help ensure a reliable electricity supply to the growing Townsville area.

“As part of this $23 million project, Powerlink has been replacing a section of aged transmission line that is reaching the end of its service life.

“The project started in April last year and will be completed next month.

“Removal of the old section of transmission line is expected to be completed next year,” he said.

Member for Mundingburra Lindy Nelson-Carr said the other project nearing completion in the region was a new transmission line between Powerlink’s Ross and Townsville South substations.

“Work on the new $19 million high voltage electricity transmission line began late last year and is expected to be completed this summer,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

“The 17km transmission line follows a route from Powerlink’s Ross Substation at Riverway Drive, Kelso, across the Mt Stuart Army Training Area to Powerlink’s Townsville South Substation off Southwood Road, Stuart.

“This is so important for the region and will cater for future growth,” she said.

Powerlink Chief Operating Officer, Simon Bartlett said the projects were representative of the significant investment being made in electricity infrastructure in the Townsville and Thuringowa area and would underpin the region’s future economic development.

Mr Bartlett said Powerlink had a strong commitment to engaging with communities in areas where it was working.

“We would especially like to thank landowners and residents for their patience and understanding during the construction of the new transmission lines,” he said.

“We will continue to keep the community informed about the status of the projects in the Townsville and Thuringowa areas and will continue to work closely with residents and the local community to try and reduce any inconvenience as a result of our works.”

Other Powerlink projects currently under way include the construction of a new transmission line from Townsville South Substation to a new substation at Townsville East to reinforce high voltage electricity supply to the Port of Townsville and CBD area.

Construction of this transmission line commenced earlier this year and is expected to be completed by mid 2008. Construction of the new Ross to Yabulu South transmission line project is also underway, with site preparations works underway.

The Ross to Yabulu South project will reinforce high voltage electricity supply to the rapidly growing northern and western areas of Townsville and is expected to be completed by summer 2008/09.

Media inquiries: Minister’s Office Brooke Johnson (07) 3224 7332

Powerlink Melissa Azzopardi 0418 181 538