On-ground works are underway on a $6 million project to maintain a critical transmission line perched on a steep Far North Queensland mountainside.
Member for Barron River and Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said safety and reliability of the line was fundamental to a safe and reliable power supply for local businesses and households.
“This is a cost-effective project for our publicly-owned electricity assets, extending the life of this vital line by 15 years,” he said.
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Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said crews started on site last weekend, working on the 50-year-old towers that bring electricity from Barron Gorge Power Station to the Cairns area.
“This four kilometres of line runs through steep terrain in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area next to the Kuranda Scenic Railway line,” he said.
“This is a cyclone-prone area, so strengthening tower foundations along the length of the line is critical.”
Dr Lynham said work included strengthening the foundations of some of the 18 towers.
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“Some of these 50-year-old towers are on a very steep incline, with a three-metre difference in the height of the legs on one of the towers, so this project has its challenges,” he said.
“Given the difficult terrain, the project team is using a range of different methods to access and work on sites, including modified equipment and all-terrain vehicles.”
The project will support 17 jobs and is expected to be complete by late 2019, weather permitting.
