$900,000 Deception Bay power boost

Thousands of homes and businesses in the Deception Bay area will benefit from a $900,000 electricity upgrade, Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said today.

The project will include installing 1.8km of new 11,000 volt underground electricity cables in new or existing pipes under streets surrounding the Energex substation in Lipscombe Road.

The upgrade will boost electricity supply to more than 3000 homes and businesses in Deception Bay and Rothwell.

Mr Wilson said forecast increase in local power usage was the driving force behind the upgrade.

“The Moreton Bay Regional Council area is one of the fastest growing parts of South East Queensland, with dozens of new houses, units and commercial premises connecting to the local electricity network every week,” Mr Wilson said.

“Commercial and residential growth in the area and the increase in use of power-hungry consumer lifestyle products such as home air conditioning has resulted in a sharp increase in power use.”

Member for Murrumba Dean Wells 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 Deception Bay and throughout the South East Queensland,” Mr English 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.”

Mr Wells said the project included some excavation works to lay the underground power cables.

“As a result, local businesses, residents and motorists may experience some noise disruptions, heavy vehicle movement, footpath obstructions and partial road closures,” Mr Wells said.

“Safety measures, including traffic management, will be incorporated in the works.”

On behalf of Energex, Mr Wells thanked residents and motorists in advance for their patience while works are being undertaken and said Energex would take all reasonable measures to reduce inconvenience in the area during this important upgrade to the local power network.

During the past four years, 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 works are expected to be completed by the end of August, weather permitting.

The project is part of a record $4 billion-plus five-year capital expenditure program currently being undertaken by Energex.

In the 2008-09 financial year Energex is investing around $830 million on upgrades to its electricity network while a further $340 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.