No decision made on planned power line on the Gold Coast

Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said today that Energex had made no final decision on the preferred route for a planned power line on the southern end of the Gold Coast.

Energex plans to install a 110 kilovolt power line from its Mudgeeraba substation to a proposed new substation at west Tugun in a major boost the power supplies in the region.

“Energex has listened to community concerns and has been back to the drawing board a number of times to come up with an option that has the least impact on local properties,” Mr Wilson said.

“The Member for Mudgeeraba Di Reilly will take to suburban streets tomorrow to talk further to residents about the issue and listen to their concerns.

“Energex has been involved in ongoing consultation with the community and this will continue,” he said.

The Minister said there was a need to strike the right balance between the needs of local residents and the thousands of people on the Gold Coast who will benefit from a secure and reliable power supply.

“They’re always hard decisions to make, but if we simply sat on our hands, we would be letting down up to half a million people who live and work on the Gold Coast and the tourists who holiday there every year,” he said.

“They have every right to demand a government be prepared to take tough decisions on vital infrastructure issues. We wouldn’t have a Gateway Motorway or a South East Busway, an Airport Link or a Tugun Bypass if we didn’t take tough decisions.

“Perhaps the Honourable Leader of the Opposition might like to speak with the Liberal National Party Member for Currumbin before he starts suggesting another route such as through the Tallebudgera Valley?

“Or maybe he would like to justify spending up to $120 million of taxpayers’ money to put the lines underground? Does the Opposition Leader want no lights? Does he want power lines running through the back streets of the Gold Coast?”

Minister Wilson said he would meet with a representative from a Gold Coast community group next week to discuss the issue. The community reference group will also reconvene in a matter of weeks.

Media Inquiries: Ellen McIntyre 3225 1819