Power goes underground to protect community infrastructure

Work has started on undergrounding a stretch of high voltage power lines in Cairns to protect electricity supply during cyclones, Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said today.

The $3 million project involves putting underground a total of 2.5 kilometres of 22,000-volt power lines between the new Cairns North substation in Anderson Street and a major sewerage pumping station at Munro Martin Park.

Mr Wilson said the essential community infrastructure would be safer from cyclones when Ergon Energy completes the project later this year.

“The project is being done under Ergon’s Cyclone Area Reliability Enhancement program, which is designed to protect supply to essential services and major community infrastructure during severe weather events like cyclones,” Mr Wilson said.

The major beneficiaries will be the Queensland Ambulance Service base in Anderson St next to the new substation, and the sewerage pumping station in Minnie St.

Member for Cairns Desley Boyle welcomed news of the project.

“Life in the Far North means it’s not a matter of if cyclones strike, but when, so it is vital we ensure our essential community infrastructure is protected when they do,” Ms Boyle said.

“The Bligh Government is spending $1.9 million every hour of every day to build Queensland’s infrastructure. We are planning for the future.

“I am delighted the government is able to provide this assistance, through Ergon Energy, to making sure our electricity supply is strong in any weather.”

Ms Boyle said the work would not alter individual customer’s connections, which would continue to be supplied from the overhead low-voltage network.

“However, they will have increased safety and reliability of supply as the main feeder lines in the area have been put underground,” Ms Boyle said.

The work is due to be finished before the next cyclone season, which officially begins in November.

Ergon Energy is spending $10 million each year on such projects in the cyclone-prone coastal areas of northern Queensland.

Media contact: Minister’s office 3224 7332.