50,000 homes and businesses benefit from Northside power boost

Homes and businesses in seven northern Brisbane suburbs will benefit from a recently-completed $15 million-plus upgrade to Energex’s electricity supplies in the region.

Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson said the project would reinforce power supplies to more than 50,000 northside homes and businesses by strengthening the local power network.

“The multi-stage project included the installation of six power cables between the Bunyaville substation on Old Northern Road and the Stafford substation in Appleby Road,” Mr Wilson said.

“Energex also undertook a range of associated works in surrounding streets as part of the project.

“This has been one of Energex’s largest suburban Brisbane electricity upgrades carried out in recent years,” he said.

Member for Stafford Stirling Hinchliffe welcomed the upgrade to the local area.

“This is good news for residents and businesses heading into the busy summer period,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“The upgrade will ensure we have a more robust power supply with a boost capability to meet current and future demands.

“Importantly the additional capacity will give Energex technicians more switching options to restore power faster should there be unexpected damage to the network,” he said.

Mr Hinchliffe said electricity use in the area was increasing at rates above regional and national averages with dozens of new houses and units and commercial premises connecting to the local power network every week.

“The growth has been a result of many factors including local commercial and domestic growth, affordable home air-conditioning and households and businesses using more electricity than five years ago,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“Suburbs which will benefit from the upgrades associated with this project include Chermside, West Chermside, Stafford, Stafford Heights, Everton Hills, Everton Park and McDowall.

“I’d like to thank local home and business owners and motorists for their patience during the necessary upgrade work,” he said.

The 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