Media Release
Minister for Energy and Water Supply
The Honourable Mark McArdle
Call for ideas on flood electrical infrastructure
The Newman Government is seeking feedback to improve the resilience of electrical infrastructure in buildings located in flood-prone areas.
Minister for Energy and Water Supply Mark McArdle today released a discussion paper seeking industry comment on a Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry recommendation to consider introducing a legislative requirement that electrical substations in buildings be located at or above the defined flood level.
Mr McArdle said while electricity distributors recommend electrical equipment be installed above the defined flood level, there was currently no legislative support for it.
"The location of a substation in a high rise building is at the discretion of the building owner, and for commercial reasons, this is often in the basement," he said.
"During the 2011 floods, electrical substations located in the basements of several high rise buildings in the Brisbane CBD were inundated.
"It meant many businesses were evacuated causing major expense and disruption for building owners and tenants, including the Stamford Plaza Hotel, which was closed for weeks.
"We hope to prevent this and reduce the financial impact on businesses in any future floods."
The discussion paper also seeks feedback on a second Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry recommendation to consider introducing a mandatory requirement to seal electricity supply conduits below the defined flood level to prevent floodwaters from flowing through them and flooding basements.
Written submissions on the discussion paper 'More resilient electrical infrastructure in high rise buildings', available at www.dews.qld.gov.au., ends at the close of business Friday 31 August 2012.
Submissions can be posted or emailed to:
Mrs Virginia Hunter:
'More resilient electrical infrastructure in high rise buildings'
Department of Energy and Water Supply
PO Box 15456
City East QLD 4002
2.8.12
COMMENT: This is an excellent opportunity by Minister McArdle for the public to have input into this key issue. As long as development rights continue for single residential property owners without higher costs, this initiative is appropriate for all future major developments in flood areas. - PaulGTully@gmail.com
