FIRST STAGE OF SUBSTATION REBUILD COMPLETED

The first stage of a $27.3 million project to rebuild the West Darra Substation has been completed, Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson said today.

“The rebuild is important to ensure electricity demand in the South West Brisbane area can continue to be met now and into the future,” Mr Wilson said.

“Electricity demand in the area is forecast to grow strongly at around 8% a year over the next three years.

“The rapid growth that is being experienced in the area is due to significant residential, commercial and industrial development,” he said.

Member for Mt Ommaney Julie Attwood welcomed the completion of the first stage of the project.

“The population of the South West Brisbane area continues to grow at a rapid rate,” Mrs Attwood said.

“To meet this growth, Powerlink is replacing the equipment at the West Darra Substation, which is more than 40 years old.

“Powerlink’s project to upgrade the facilities that service this area is a welcome investment in the essential infrastructure of this area,” she said.

Powerlink Chief Executive, Gordon Jardine said the replacement of equipment at the West Darra Substation was scheduled to occur over two years, with stage two to be undertaken next year.

“The work includes removing all of the existing substation equipment, and installing new equipment within the existing substation boundaries,” Mr Jardine said.

"This is occurring in two stages, to enable the substation to continue to maintain a reliable supply of electricity throughout the project.

“This is a significant project, and when completed will help build on new infrastructure that Powerlink has recently completed in the South West Brisbane area, further strengthening the high voltage electricity network.”

Mr Jardine said Powerlink was working closely with the local community during the project and was undertaking the work in accordance with a comprehensive Environmental Management Plan to help minimise impacts during the replacement project.

“We thank our neighbours and the local community for their patience during the rebuild project,” Mr Jardine said.

Powerlink crews and contractors are scheduled to return to the West Darra Substation site to commence work on stage two of the project in early 2008.

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

Powerlink Melissa Azzopardi (07) 3860 2806