Monday 4 March 2013

Far North residents have been reminded to be wary of the potential danger presented by trees bringing down powerlines following impacts to the power network yesterday (Ed: Sunday March 3).

Power was interrupted to 80 customers in the Julatten area when a tree came down onto high voltage powerlines along Euluma Creek Road.

Ergon crews worked through less than favourable conditions to restore power as quickly as possible and make repairs to damaged high voltage lines.

Power had also been interrupted to more than 1,600 customers in Mossman, Daintree and coastal areas around Wonga Beach earlier in the day as heavy rain and storm activity worked across the district. Damage to a conductor connection along a section of 22,000 volt network was the cause, possibly from lightning with a storm reported in the area at the time.

“People must be vigilant in storm season when trees come down – if they contact powerlines or bring lines down, stay well away and let Ergon know on 13 22 96 or police on 000 as soon as possible,” Manager Regional Services Geoff Bowes said.

“Any situation like this should be treated as potentially life-threatening and our crews will always attend as a matter of priority,” he said.

Meanwhile lightning impacted power supply to 809 customers in part of Port Douglas last night.

Ergon crews were called to a cable malfunction on part of the Port Douglas network. It is believed the damage was caused by an earlier lightning strike on powerlines nearby.

The Port Douglas repairs were finalised shortly after midnight.