Despite major floods, relentless rain, landslides, highway closures and logistical challenges at every turn, Ergon Energy crews have restored power to 33,000 customers.
Ergon Energy Emergency Manager, Chris Hooper, said it was a widespread event that caused network impacts from Cairns to Mackay, including the Tablelands, Innisfail, Cardwell, Ingham, Palm Island, Townsville, Magnetic Island, the Burdekin and Charters Towers.
“It has been a phenomenal effort from our crews to get the lights back on for customers in all affected communities, some of which could only be reached by air or barge at the height of the flood emergency,” he said.
“The Ergon teams in the field, in the network control centre and working behind the scenes met every challenge thrown at them to get the power back on, after landslides wiped out poles and wires, two substations had to be de-energised for public safety, floodwaters washed away a bridge across the national highway, and some aircraft landings had to be aborted.
“When Ingham was isolated, our local crews kept their community safe and paved the way for a complex and challenging restoration effort.
“While the road to recovery will be a long one for some flood victims, the safe restoration of power is a significant step forward for communities as the clean-up continues,” Mr Hooper said.
In the air, on the ground, and on the water, 300 Ergon personnel were involved in the emergency response, including field crews from Atherton, Cairns, Cannonvale, Charters Towers, Home Hill, Ingham, Innisfail, Mackay, Mount Isa, Mossman, Pinnacle and Townsville.
“They pulled out all stops – from our specialist substation crews who flew into Ingham to get the bulk supply point back online in record time, to the lineys and electrical fitter mechanics slogging it out in torrential rain and mud, and the customer service crews who go door-to-door, street by street,” Mr Hooper said.
“I even got back on the tools myself when we needed all hands on deck in Ingham, and the reaction from customers when the lights came back on was a reminder of the powerful impact our crews have on the community.”
Disaster response and recovery is a team effort and the constant hive of activity at the Ollera Creek worksite on the highway north of Townsville was a prime example.
It was here that Ergon Energy crews rebuilt the backbone of the high-voltage network after poles and wires were washed away by raging floodwaters.
At the same site, Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel installed a temporary bridge across the highway then Transport and Mains Roads RoadTek crews rebuilt the bridge.
While the bridge works were underway, Queensland Rail carted first responders, Ergon crews and local residents across the highway on the rail line.
“We never walk alone in disaster response, and we are always grateful to everyone involved for their help and support with logistics, including the ADF who used Chinook helicopters to airlift large-scale generators to critical sites in Ingham,” Mr Hooper said.
“We could not get the job done without emergency services, disaster management groups, local councils, community groups, licenced electrical contractors, and everyone who provided timely information, transport, equipment, accommodation and meals.
“To our customers and communities, who have been incredibly patient, understanding and supportive in some challenging and changing circumstances, a big thank you to you all on behalf of Ergon Energy Network.”
Ergon Energy said that while power has been restored to all properties where safe to do so, there are still some homes and businesses with flood damage that need to be inspected and repaired by a licenced electrical contractor before they can be safely reconnected to the electricity network.
“Once they get the tick of approval, we can restore network supply. If you haven’t received an electrical defect notice and your neighbours have power, but you don’t, please give us a call on 13 22 96 so we can investigate,” Mr Hooper said.
“While the major restoration effort has wrapped up, we will continue to support the community until the last customer is safely reconnected.”
