An Ergon Energy helicopter line patrol on their way to repair a fault caused by a transformer pole that washed down in the Boyne River near Durong; the crew loaded their ladder and safety equipment under the helicopter, flew to the site, isolated the downed wires and re-energised the line
(Photo: Margaret Westerman)

January 28, 2013

Many parts of the South Burnett remain without power this morning following yesterday’s flooding … and to add to the frustration, Ergon Energy is having communication difficulties due to a Telstra fault.

Here is the latest information as relayed from the South Burnett Disaster Management Committee at 8:45am today:

  • Durong Feeder – past the Stuart River is still out. Ergon crews working on it (150 customers affected)
  • Proston Feeder – broken cross arm. “On the priority list”, (15 customers)
  • Manumbar SWER (single wire earth return) – known wires down, access issues at present (25 customers)
  • Oakfield / Tansey – works in progress, (120 customers)
  • Coolabunia Feeder – out since 4:00pm yesterday. An Ergon crew is on site. Failure now isolated to Summit View estate (four transformers, underground supply). Crew is in the final stages of isolating the fault, and should know details within two hours (100 customers)
  • West Wooroolin – Ergon crew on site have isolated to one transformer and power is expected to be back by 9:45am.
  • South Nanango – Ergon crews have conducted ground patrols and doing switching; power should be restored by 11:30am.

An Ergon Energy spokesman has appealed to customers to have patience.

“Our restoration priority is community facilities – hospitals, waster treatment, shopping centres, banking and schools. Thanks for your patience,” he said.

To add to Ergon’s woes, they have been severely impacted by a Telstra failure which is preventing customers from reporting faults and is limiting communication between some repair crews.

On Friday evening, Telstra’s coastal fibre-optic cable that carries much of the State’s communications needs was damaged by severe flooding south of Gladstone.

This was followed by further damage to a back-up cable north of Harlin late yesterday.

* * *

UPDATE 11:50am: Ergon crews are working to restore power to some flood-affected parts of the South Burnett today, but will have to wait for floodwaters to recede to assist some customers in outlying areas.

Crews have isolated the damaged section of the South Nanango feeder line that resulted in about 1000 customers being without supply overnight.

As a result, only 44 customers in Allen, Andrews, Kassulke, Majors and Tarong Roads remain without power.

Crews will remove a tree that has fallen on to the powerlines and then repair the damage it has caused and expect to reinstate power to the remaining customers about 2:00pm.

Crews are unable to access the Durong South feeder beyond the Stuart River where about 150 customers are without power. They will try to access the area by helicopter once the weather clears and the river falls.

Crews also are unable to access the area where powerlines have come down on the Manumbar SWER until the flood level recedes.

* * *

UPDATE 1:20pm: An Ergon spokesman warned that constantly changing flood waters and telecommunications issues were presenting difficulties for restoration in some parts of the Wide Bay Burnett and could affect current restoration plans.

At Woolooga, there are currently around 900 customers without supply, with restoration expected today.

* * *

UPDATE 2:00pm: Power has now been restored to Nanango. Crews are inspecting the Durong South line from the air.

UPDATE 5:00pm: The helicopter assessing the Durong South line has returned to Kingaroy to refuel. It will pick up a ladder and other items to service the transformer pole washed down in the middle of the Boyne River. They hope to restore power this evening.

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