Power upgrade to supply major CBD development in Townsville

Work has started on a project to supply power to new residential and commercial developments under construction in Townsville’s booming central business district.

Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said the $1 million Ergon Energy project would supply power to stage one of the $350 million Honeycombe’s Central residential and commercial precinct under construction in Flinders Street.

New underground 11,000 volt cables will run from Ergon Energy’s Neil Smith Substation to Flinders Street. Trenching for the new underground high voltage powerlines has started in selected streets.

Mr Wilson said the project was vital to meet the continued growth in demand for power from new CBD projects.

“This is an important project to meet the growing demand for electricity from new projects in Townsville’s CBD which are gradually coming on stream. Importantly, it will provide a reliable power supply,” he said.

Member for Townsville Mike Reynolds said the work would help meet the anticipated growth in demand for power in the future.

“The Townsville CBD is a hive of commercial and residential development at the moment and we have to make sure we ensure our essential infrastructure, such as electricity supply, is reinforced to keep pace with that growth,” he said.

Mr Reynolds said contractors would undertake road works involving excavation and reinstate roadways with heavy machinery along Sturt Street, Blackwood Street and Flinders Street. Work is expected to be finishing next month.

“Ergon Energy and its contractor will make every effort to minimise impacts on business activities. However, traffic conditions will be changed and some car parks in some of the streets will be unavailable for a short period of time,” Mr Reynolds said.

There will be no planned interruptions to power supply as part of this project

The project also involves the installation of a low voltage network and strategically placed ground - based transformers to supply underground power which are expected to be operational in June 2008.

The upgrade is just one of many projects being undertaken across North Queensland this financial year as part of Ergon Energy’s $83 million capital works program.

Media inquiries: Minister’s office Caroline Kaurila 3224 7332