Media Centre

31/07/09

Mobile command centre to assist with severe weather cleanup

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Stephen Robertson has today unveiled a new mobile ENERGEX command centre to assist with the cleanup after severe weather.

"The new $85,000 purpose-built mobile centre will be a great asset for ENERGEX in providing the community with the best possible response when the next major weather event hits the power network in South East Queensland," Mr Robertson said.

"The concept for this centre emerged in the clean up of the storms that devastated parts of western and northern Brisbane especially The Gap, in November last year."

"While ENERGEX managed to restore power to most homes within 48 hours and were praised for their quick response, they were determined there were things that could be done better.

"This included closer pre-storm liaisons with vegetation management agencies (especially councils), improvements to work dispatching procedures and a more formalised link with external agencies, such as Ergon Energy, and private electricians to ensure safety issues are at the top of the agenda.

"Another of the key findings was that there was a need to have a forward command/communications facility on the frontline for use by operational staff and the community.

"Over the past six months, ENERGEX has been developing this new purpose built response facility which will be used as a one-stop shop for information and assistance to the community when severe weather interrupts power supply.

"The new command centre includes a range of computer-based data, safety advice, basic amenities, a hub for ENERGEX crews working locally and emergency mobile power generation for the community.

Member for Ferny Grove Geoff Wilson said the new centre would help ensure the best possible response when the next major weather event hits.

"The storms caused hundreds of millions of dollars of damage to the community and significant damage to the electricity network," he said.

"More than 145,000 Brisbane homes and businesses lost power.

"ENERGEX will now be on the ground when these events occur and able to provide the Gap and Hills district with fast, reliable information, some basic essentials and be able to put their power back on much quicker."

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Last Updated 03 November 2009