July 24, 2018
A two-phase shutdown at Tarong Power Station which is due to begin on August 24 will inject millions of dollars into the South Burnett’s economy.
A spokesman for Stanwell Corporation, which operates the power station, said as many as 500 contract personnel would be employed during the course of this year’s shutdown, in addition to permanent staff at Tarong Power Station.
Preliminary work to prepare for the project will occur between August 24 and September 5.
This will be followed by specialist crews of skilled technicians and trades people, who will be carry out the bulk of the maintenance work from September 28 to November 27.
Contractors from outside the region will require accommodation in the area during the two shutdown periods, and many other local businesses will benefit from purchases made by contractors during their stay.
The shutdown has been held at roughly the same time each year since 2007.
It is a significant component of Stanwell’s ongoing maintenance program to ensure the power station continues to deliver a reliable electricity supply.
Stanwell said the period has been chosen to provide minimum disruption to the South Burnett’s annual festival program and tourism marketing efforts.
The company said it always tried to accommodate the needs of the regions it operates in, and the shutdown was timed to coincide with the end of the South Burnett’s peak tourism season.
The company had also looked at the region’s annual events calendar and believed the shutdown should have a minimal negative impact on the majority of events.
