Bligh Govt delivers power to the people

Power supplies to Cairns city will be boosted by 25 per cent when a new $30 million-plus

Cairns North substation is switched on later this year.

Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson, in Cairns for the historic sitting of State Parliament, inspected the new substation today while testing work was being completed.

“We’re delivering vital electricity infrastructure from Badu Island, out west to Birdsville, and everywhere in between,” Mr Wilson told State Parliament.

Minister Wilson said the Cairns North substation was an important link in Ergon Energy’s plans to meet the growing demand for power in northern areas of the city and the gateway to the region – the Cairns International Airport.

“Cairns is growing rapidly and so is the demand for power here. New homes and businesses and the popularity of air conditioners have pushed up power consumption in the far north by more than 10 per cent in the past five years,” he said.

Member for Cairns Desley Boyle welcomed the power boost to the region.

“The Bligh Government has its sights set firmly on the future of the far north.

“We’re looking beyond the horizon, beyond the boom by planning and building now,” Ms Boyle said.

“We’re giving locals and visitors to our region a secure and reliable electricity supply that will serve the region well into the future,” she said.

Minister Wilson said the new substation would take very high incoming voltage.

“It takes 132,000 volts and transforms it down to 22,000 volts so that it can be fed into homes and businesses.

Mr Wilson said Ergon Energy was spending more than $130 million on electricity infrastructure in the far north this financial year.

The new substation is part of a $54 million project that includes high voltage underground cables.

“We’re building a stronger electricity network for the people who live and work here and that’s because good governments plan for the future,” he said.

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Another government-owned corporation, Powerlink, is investing more than $215 million over the next three years to boost the high voltage transmission grid from Cairns to the Cassowary Coast and the Tablelands.

A number of major Powerlink projects are underway and these include refurbishing the Cairns substation, building a new one near El Arish to boost supply to Mission Beach, and major new transmission lines.

“We’ve just built a $90 million transmission line from Tully to Innisfail,” he said.

“Right across the state we’re delivering a secure and reliable electricity supply for all Queenslanders.

“When the Coalition last had control of the electricity network they plunged the state into darkness for four whole days.

“Now they’re at loggerheads over whether to privatise electricity generators. The Liberal National Party deputy leader ruled it out, ruled it in, and ruled it out again.

“And while they agree to disagree, the Bligh government has its sleeves rolled up and is getting on with the job of improving services for all Queenslanders,” he said.

Media Inquiries: Ellen McIntyre 3225 1819