Gympie flood affected homes, businesses and community groups receive power again
Gympie homes, businesses and community groups will finally have power after nearly two weeks without it, as licensed electricians are deployed across the region to get the power up and running. Here is what you need to know:
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Queensland Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Minister Mick de Brenni was in Gympie on Tuesday with the Electrical Trades Union to turn the power back on at hundreds of Gympie homes, businesses and community groups that have been without power since the flood crisis unfolded in February.
Operation Energise, a task force of licenced electricians that helps restore power to affected areas after natural disasters, has previously been used in the wake of cyclones Larry, Oswald, Marcia, Yasi and Debbie, as well as the 2011 Brisbane flood, the 2013 Bundaberg flood and the 2019 Townsville flood.
The February 2022 floods were the worst seen in the Gympie region for more than a century, after the Mary River peaked at almost 23m.
Across the Gympie LGA, 13,689 homes and businesses lost power.
On Tuesday morning, Mr De Brenni met with electricians from the ETU and Powerlink at the Gympie Energex site, before electricians were dispatched to various homes, businesses and community groups around the region.
There, they will conduct a safety inspection, perform any necessary repairs and complete the electrical contractor certification.
Energex will then restore power.
Mr De Brenni said electricity had been restored to 99 per cent of affected areas.
“Operation Energise ... will be making sure it’s safe inside homes and community groups that require safety checks to get the power reconnected,” he said.
“We welcome the ETU’s leadership in partnership with Queensland’s publicly-owned power companies focusing support on vulnerable households while thanks go to the Master Electricians who will focus on properties that are insured.”
Operation Energise co-ordinator and ETU president Keith McKenzie said this would be the operation’s tenth run.
The operation will run from Gympie to the Bundamba and Goodna regions from March 8-18.
Anyone in need of help is encouraged to call 1800 338 937 (1800 ETU YES).
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