Aerial view of Townsville showing residential houses, river in the middle and mountains on the right
You’re seeing information for
Greater Queensland
Not on the right website?
Go to the Energex website

Commercial & residential subdivisions

There are two types of residential subdivisions, Urban Residential and Rural Residential:

  1. Urban Residential subdivisions have an average lot size smaller than 2,000 m2 and have frontages of 15 to 25 metres
  2. Rural Residential subdivisions have an average lot size greater than 2,000 m2 each.

There can also be Commercial subdivisions. The electrical infrastructure in new commercial subdivisions is designed according to lot size, unless you specify a higher load.

Charges for electrical infrastructure vary, as they are based on the individual requirements of each request.

Note: As a minimum, we require provision for a 3 phase 30 kVA supply to each commercial/industrial lot, unless otherwise notified and agreed.

For relevant specifications, refer to our manuals in the Document library.

There are two categories of subdivision:

  1. Contestable Subdivisions – Underground subdivisions only, typically involves more than two (2) lots
  2. Non-Contestable Subdivisions – Overhead subdivisions or where one (1) block is being split into two (2).

1. Contestable subdivisions

  1. 1 Enquiry

    You will first need to decide who will be undertaking the design and construction of your subdivision electrical works. Subdivision construction is considered contestable work (excluding overhead supplied subdivisions which can only be constructed by us).

    If you would like to use an approved service provider to design and construct the electrical works, please engage an Approved Subdivision Design Consultant (PDF 169.9 kb) who will complete the online developer enquiry form.

    We will contact you within 5 business days (or other agreed date) to confirm details and provide more information on the process.

    We’ll also provide you with a Works Request number. This number should be referenced on all future communications with us.

    If you have multiple (two or more) stages, a Master Plan showing the lots and transformation locations for the entire development is required.

    If a formal planning study is needed, we'll provide a quote and time frame for this work.

    A design concept/master planning meeting can be requested by selecting the ‘Concept meeting’ check box when completing the developer enquiry form.

  2. 2 Design

    Your design must be completed by a design consultant from our Subdivision Design Consultants List (PDF 169.9 kb).

  3. 3 Application

    To apply for connection to our network, you must engage a consultant from our Subdivision Design Consultants List (PDF 169.9 kb) who will submit an application to ccg.contestable@ergon.com.au.

    There will be various costs, including an application fee, design fee and site inspection charges. See our latest price lists on our Connections charges web page.

    For us to process your application, the following is required:

    • Acceptance of the application fee, design fee and any other relevant charges
    • An electronic copy of the proposed subdivision Electrical Reticulation/Street Lighting plan and other plans detailing other services (i.e. sewerage, water, storm water, telecommunications, and gas)
    • A copy of the local government’s conditions for the development approval
    • Details of the construction contractors you have engaged from our Subdivision Construction Contractors List (PDF 191.1 kb)
    • Nomination of the materials suppliers for any Category A materials.
  4. 4 Offer

    We will make a connection offer within 65 business days of receiving your completed application. It must be accepted within 20 business days.

    You may accept our connection offer and enter into a new Negotiated Connection Establishment Contract by:

    • Returning signed copies of the relevant documents
    • Paying any relevant fees
    • Satisfying all other requirements set out in the contract by the due date.
    Connection offer terms

    If the connection offer is not accepted within 20 business days (or other date agreed in writing with us), it will automatically lapse. If you wish to recommence the project at a later date, a new connection application will be required along with the relevant application fee.

  5. 5 Construct

    Site construction works may only commence following a pre-start meeting and confirmation that design plans have been reviewed and approved by us.

    We need to inspect conduits or other such infrastructure before its buried or hidden from view. We may also do random audits at any time during the construction phase without notice.

    We’ll conduct a final audit after construction is completed. Any defects found during this final audit must be rectified before a Certificate of Acceptance can be issued.

  6. 6 Connection

    It’s important that you notify us of the expected completion date well in advance, so we can schedule the final testing and commissioning works. This helps to ensure the timely connection of the development.

2. Non-contestable subdivisions

  1. 1 Enquiry

    If your subdivision falls under the non-contestable category, please lodge a detailed enquiry on the Customer Self Service Portal. Alternatively, you can engage an electrical contractor to submit it on your behalf.

    For your enquiry to be reviewed swiftly, please provide the following:

    • Council Decision Notice
    • Survey Plan (DXF or DWG file)
    • Lot Layout (PDF).
  2. 2 Review of request

    When your enquiry is submitted, we will review it and either contact the applicant to request further information or raise a Work Request (WR) to initiate the project.

    Once a WR is raised, your enquiry will be closed, so that the request can be tracked in a single location. You will be provided a WR reference number for use in any correspondence with us.

    There will be various costs, including an application fee, design fee and construction charges. See our latest price lists on our Connections charges web page.

  3. 3 Offer

    Once the request has been properly reviewed and investigated you will be made a Connection Offer.

    You may accept our connection offer and enter a Negotiated Connection Establishment Contract by:

    • Returning signed copies of the relevant documents
    • Paying any relevant fees
    • Satisfying all other requirements set out in the contract by the due date.

    We will provide a Certificate of Supply to the relevant council once full design and construction fees have been paid or, if no works are required by us, on confirmation of payment of the application fee.

    Connection offer terms

    If the connection offer is not accepted within 20 business days (or other date agreed in writing with us), it will automatically lapse. If you wish to recommence the project at a later date, a new connection application will be required along with the relevant application fee.

  4. 4 Design

    Once the offer has been accepted, your detailed design requirements will be completed by us.

  5. 5 Construction

    Site construction works will commence once design has been completed and any associated fees paid.

  6. 6 Connection

    Upon completion of relevant construction works, connection of the development/site will be undertaken.