August 27, 2020
The South Burnett community will be kept safe during the upcoming $36.2 million maintenance work at Tarong Power Station despite the influx of hundreds of workers into the region.
Tarong power stations Acting Site Manager David Janes said ensuring the safety of the 550 overhaul contractors, Tarong Power Station workforce and the entire South Burnett community was the site’s primary focus in the lead up to the project.
“Almost 90 per cent of our overhaul workforce are from within Queensland, mainly from local rural and regional areas,” Mr Janes said.
“The overhaul attracts contractors to fill a range of roles including welding and boiler making, mechanical and electrical trades, technical engineering specialists, riggers, scaffolders and cleaners.
“This work will deliver an important economic injection to the region, when it’s needed most.”
Stanwell is working closely with Queensland Health to implement a COVID-19 safety plan, as a small number of highly skilled, specialist, interstate workers will be required for the overhaul.
Every generating unit in every power station in the National Electricity Market is required by law to undergo a regular, scheduled maintenance overhaul. This overhaul is critical to ensure the reliable supply of electricity over summer.
Mr Janes said Stanwell had undertaken rigorous planning to ensure the safety of employees, contractors and community members while the power station undertook this statutory maintenance.
“We have already introduced a range of safety measures to our site, including thermographic cameras to check workers’ body temperatures on their arrival, additional cleaning, and detailed physical distancing and hygiene campaigns.”
Tarong Power Station’s Unit 2 overhaul will start on September 12 and continue until November 1.
It will inject a much-needed boost into the South Burnett’s hospitality, accommodation and tourism sectors.
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