Three Gold Coast substations are set to share in $45 million worth of upgrades as part of a multi-million dollar project by the Queensland Government, with planning for another $8.5 million project currently underway.
Nearly 13,000 homes and businesses in Surfers Paradise will benefit from the funding originally set out in the Queensland Government’s 2019-20 budget.
The project, which is in the planning and design stage, comes hot on the heels of Energex upgrades at three other Gold Coast substations.
The multi-stage upgrade to substations at Palm Beach, Bundall and Labrador is now complete and is bolstering power to more than 17,000 local homes and businesses.
The overall project involved the installation of new transformers at Labrador while at Palm Beach and Bundall, Energex crews upgraded electricity switching equipment.
The Surfers Paradise project is scheduled to begin in 2020. The work will include the installation of a new transformer in the Ferny Avenue facility along with associated electrical work.
Energy Minister, Dr Anthony Lynham, visited the Palm Beach substation to inspect the recently-finished project.
“The main part of the work at these zone substations was to replace equipment that had reached retirement age, plus new buildings and associated works,” Dr Lynham said.
“This particular substation is an important part of the electricity distribution network for the Gold Coast and provides supply to about 9700 customers in the Bilinga, Currumbin, Currumbin Waters, Elanora and Palm Beach areas.”
Dr Lynham said the upgrades to the substations were part of the State Government’s investment in infrastructure for Queensland communities to support current and future growth.
“While people are the heart of any community, infrastructure is the backbone and a quality electricity network certainly injects the lifeblood into the things people do every day.”
Member for Gaven, Meaghan Scanlon, said a safe and reliable electricity network was essential for the Gold Coast not only to provide the region with a dependable power supply, but also to support growth for business and the local economy.
“These upgrades will help bolster the local power network for many years to come as the government continues to invest responsibly in the state’s electricity supply.”
