Ergon crews work around the clock to restore power

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
22/03/2010
Ergon crews work around the clock to restore power

Ergon Energy crews are working around the clock, repairing power lines and restoring power to households and businesses in the wake of ex Cyclone Ului.

Energy Minister Stephen Robertson said up to 280 Ergon Energy workers were hard at work, battling bad weather in the cyclone-damaged region, with Energex crews on standby, ready to swing into action.

"Around 39,000 homes and businesses lost power on Sunday when the cyclone crossed the coast. By midday today, around half had their power back on," Mr Robertson said.

"Ergon crews have put in a mighty effort. They're out and about in that bad weather right now, doing what they do best. It's not a 9 to 5 job; it can be hazardous and for that we owe them our thanks.

"Ergon Energy hopes to have power restored to the majority of households and businesses sometime tonight.

"They've advised me that by midnight tomorrow, there will be around 2,000 homes without power," he said.

Minister Robertson said the damage was not confined to overhead power lines.

"A number of households and businesses in the Airlie Beach business precinct where there are underground power lines, also lost supply.

"Overhead lines feed the power underground and if there's a violent storm or cyclone and trees fall on those overhead feeder lines, everyone's in the same boat whether their supply is underground or above ground," he said.

"The Leader of the Opposition wants them all underground. His comments are reckless and ill-informed.

"On 2008 estimates, it would cost more than $35 billion to do what he suggests. Electricity prices would skyrocket and it would cost every man, woman and child in Queensland $8,750 a year.

"You have to ask the question: What services would he cut? Would he close our hospitals, shut down our schools, and slash the roads budget?"

Mr Robertson said more than $740 million had been spent maintaining and strengthening Ergon's electricity network.

"The fact that power has been restored to the vast majority of households and businesses in the cyclone-damaged region shows the importance of investing in our electricity network," he said.

Permanent Link: Ergon crews work around the clock to restore power
Publish Date: 22 Mar 10