Sunshine Coast powering ahead

Every week on the Sunshine Coast, around 130 new homes and 20 businesses are connected to power and that number is expected to grow.

That’s why Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson was in the region today – to announce a multi-million dollar upgrade of the Energex electricity network.

“The Sunshine Coast is one of the fastest-growing regions in the Energex network and we need to keep up with the demand so that people who live and work here have a reliable and secure power supply now, and well into the future,” Mr Wilson said.

Minister Wilson inspected a substation at Sunrise Hills where he announced plans by Energex to spend more than $7 million on a major upgrade of the substation.

“More than 27,000 homes and businesses on the northern end of the Sunshine Coast, including Tewantin, Noosa, Cooroy, Noosaville, Coolum, Peregian, Eumundi and Yandina will benefit from a more reliable and secure power supply.

“Demand for power on the Sunshine Coast is set to rise by up to 40 per cent in the next six years. That’s a massive increase and that’s why the Bligh government is planning for and managing that growth,” Mr Wilson said.

“We’re working with Energex on a range of projects to benefit the Sunshine Coast region. Sunrise Hills is but one,” Mr Wilson said.

The Minister said Energex is investing around $180 million in the region in the years ahead.

Other major upgrades planned, completed or underway include:

·$40 m transmission line between Palmwoods and Pacific Paradise;

·$8 m substation upgrade and three new underground cables in West Maroochydore area;

·$3.3 m substation upgrade at Mooloolaba;

·$9 m substation and distribution upgrade at Currimundi;

·$5 m substation upgrade at Peregian;

·$9.8 m substation upgrade at Caloundra;

·$5 m substation upgrade at Cooroy; and

·$5 m substation upgrade at Gympie.

In recent years ENERGEX’s presence on the Coast has been growing just as the population continues to boom.

“In the past three years, staffing levels have almost doubled with more than 200 staff now based in the region.

Media Inquiries: Ellen McIntyre 3225 1819