Townsville electricity supply: Dale Last, Mick de Brenni trade barbs

Townsville’s ailing power infrastructure has sparked a war of words between the State Government and a North Queensland MP.

Burdekin MP Dale Last in Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

Townsville’s ailing power infrastructure has sparked a war of words between the State Government and a North Queensland MP.

The stoush began with comments by Townsville City Council candidate for Division 10 Ben Fusco who lambasted Queensland Energy for repeated and prolonged power outages in rural suburbs such as Alligator Creek.

Alligator Creek resident Dale Last, the MP for Burdekin, on Wednesday added to the criticisms of the State Government.

“I’ve raised the issue of the reliability of the electricity supply at Alligator Creek, and in surrounding areas, many times directly with the Minister (Mick de Brenni) and also supported a petition calling for upgrades,” he said.

Ben Fusco, set to contest Division 10 as a candidate for Team Jenny Hill, has lambasted Energy Queensland over its repeated failures to deliver a reliable source of electricity to vast swathes of Townsville, including Alligator Creek. Picture: Supplied

Despite those efforts the Labor government chose to ignore the concerns of locals.”

Mr Last said that as a result of his most recent campaign, Mr de Brenni had made a commitment to a range of actions, “including replacement of some infrastructure and additional equipment to ensure a faster response to outages.”

“More recently a commitment was made to upgrade feeder cables to improve reliability, increase capacity and support future growth,” he said.

“That work is due to commence in April but is long overdue considering the ongoing issue that residents and businesses have been forced to endure for years now.”

Queensland Energy Minister Mick de Brenni (right) and Premier Steven Miles. Picture: Dan Peled

Mr Last said the efforts of the local community had “forced Labor to improve the electricity network”.

“I am proud to have supported those efforts from the very beginning,” he said.

“Now that we have a commitment, I will hold the government to account to ensure they deliver on their promise in full and without delay.”

The minister, however, shot back, saying network upgrades were planned and not in response to “the local member”.

“Dale Last should be embarrassed by trying to claim credit for the work of Ergon sparkies and engineers who were already in the process of planning and delivering these upgrades,” he said.

“Power is an essential service – politics shouldn’t come into it.”

Originally published as Townsville electricity supply: Dale Last, Mick de Brenni trade barbs