Our preparation for storm & cyclone season

We have a comprehensive range of measures to prepare the network and our employees for the storm and cyclone season.

Typically we:

• Step up our vegetation management program in winter and spring to ensure trees are kept away from powerlines.
• Significantly increase our inventories of poles, cross arms, powerlines, and other hardware - essential to the supply of electricity.
• Undertake regular Summer preparedness planning to prepare our network in major centres for the storm season. Substations are checked and key transmission and distribution lines are inspected.
• Update, test and revise Regional Emergency Management plans.
• Train, prepare and test our employees to respond safely and effectively to emergency situations.

Review & future planning

During the summer of 2010/2011 Queensland experienced unprecedented weather events that resulted in homes and businesses losing power. While the power supply network was restored as quickly as possible, damage to some homes and businesses meant they could not re-connect to the power supply network for months.

As a result, Ergon Energy, Energex and the Queensland Government, through the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, have developed the Planning for stronger, more resilient electrical infrastructure guideline.

The guideline is intended to inform Queenslanders about:

• the electricity supply network and the impacts that flooding and cyclones can have on electricity supply, 
• the impact that the 2010/2011 events had on the electrical infrastructure network, 
• lessons learnt from the recent natural disasters 
• provide key considerations for electricity distribution, land use planning, emergency planning and management, building and design including the home.