Major boost to Moreton region power supplies

Almost 6000 homes and businesses will benefit from a $5.2 million upgrade to Energex’s electricity substation at Brendale, Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said today.

The recently completed upgrade included the doubling of available capacity at the substation as well as the installation of new switching equipment and improvement to a number of local powerlines.

Homes and businesses in Brendale, Cashmere, Clear Mountain, Draper, Eatons Hill, Warner, Kallangur, Strathpine, Albany Creek, Joyner, Mount Samson and Bray Park are among those which will benefit from the upgrade.

“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.”

Mr Wilson said the main component of the project involved installing a new 25MVA transformer at the substation on South Pine Road.

“Electricity use in the area has risen by more than 30 per cent in the past five years and this increased power use has been forecast to continue,” he said.

“This upgrade will not only improve electricity capacity but will also provide technicians greater switching options to restore power faster after unexpected power interruptions caused by storms, trees hitting powerlines or damage to overhead wires or underground cables.”

Member for Kurwongbah Linda Lavarch 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 Moreton Regional Council area and throughout the South East Queensland,” Ms Lavarch 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.”

Ms Lavarch thanked residents and motorists on behalf of Energex for their patience while the works were being undertaken, especially while overhead powerlines were being upgraded or installed.

During the past four year more than $130 million has been invested by Energex upgrading the electricity supplies in the new Moreton Bay Regional Council area (formerly Redcliffe, Pine Rivers and Caboolture councils).

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.

Media Inquiries: Caroline Kaurila 3224 7332