Upgrade to boost power supplies to 7000 homes and businesses

Work is underway on a $1 million-plus power upgrade project supplying almost 7000 homes and businesses in the Redbank Plains area, Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said today.

The Energex project will include the installation of new overhead powerlines and underground cables from the Redbank Plains substation on Redbank Plains Road to Eagle Street.

Mr Wilson said the upgrade was among a number of electricity supply improvements carried out by Energex in recent years to meet the growing demand for power.

“The Bligh Government is planning for the future and getting on with the job of building tomorrow’s Queensland, today,” Mr Wilson said.

“We are spending $1.6 million every hour of every day to build our infrastructure, including electricity infrastructure.

“The planned upgrade in Redbank Plains will allow us to cater for the current and future growth in demand for electricity expected in the western suburbs.

“The increase in power demand has been a result of many factors including significant local commercial, industrial and domestic growth.”

Mr Wilson said the new powerlines and cables would also offer Energex technicians greater options to restore power faster by allowing them to redirect electricity from other parts of the network should an unexpected interruption occur during storms or other interruptions.

Member for Bundamba Jo-Ann Miller said the upgrade would help ensure the growing demands for power in the region were met in years to come.

“The State Government and Energex are committed to providing a reliable electricity network in the western suburbs and throughout the South East Queensland,” Ms Miller said.

“Importantly, the increased capacity resulting from this upgrade will give the district the means to continue expanding and creating local jobs without placing undue pressure on the electrical network.”

Energex Principal Environment Adviser Dr Jan Green said measures were being taken to minimise any detrimental impact on the environment.

“The work at Redbank Plains has been planned according to an environmental assessment,” Dr Green said. “To safeguard the endangered vegetation in the area, we use a directional drilling technique, which avoids clearing trees in such sensitive areas and helps to retain the biodiversity of the area.”

Dr Green said some vegetation removal and tree trimming was usually required to ensure a safe delivery of electricity supply to homes.

Areas which will benefit from the upgrade include Redbank Plains, Brookwater, Goodna, Bellbird Park, Collingwood Park, Blackstone and New Chum.

Work on the project is expected to be completed by November.

Ms Miller said Energex would endeavour to minimise disruption to residents, motorists and pedestrians. It is not expected that power interruptions will be required.

“Energex thanks residents in advance for the understanding during this necessary upgrade work,” Ms Miller said.

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 around $800 million on upgrades to its electricity network while a further $300 million-plus has been set aside to maintain and operate the network – an overall average of more than $3 million a day.

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