Crews completing planned maintenance on Magnetic Island
Magnetic Island network upgrade
We’re investing in a range of changes and upgrades to the electricity network supplying Magnetic Island, to improve the reliability of the supply and reduce our impacts on the island’s precious environment.
Magnetic Island is a tropical paradise located around 8km offshore to the north-east of Townsville on Yunbenun Country - the traditional lands of the Wulgurukaba ‘canoe people’.
The island is home to over 2,100 residential and business customers, who predominantly reside in one of the four main bayside communities of Nelly, Picnic, Arcadia, and Horseshoe Bays.
Magnetic Island’s electricity is supplied by two 11,000-volt (11kV) marine cables from the Townsville Marina substation on the mainland at Townsville. The cables then supply the island’s electricity needs via the overhead electricity network from Nelly Bay.
In addition to a significant program of planned maintenance, and upgrades to sections of the low voltage network that were completed recently on the island, we’re planning a series of projects that will boost the safety and reliability of the local electricity network and improve environmental outcomes for the island. These projects include:
Arcadia & Nelly Bay network augmentation works - Upgrade several power poles, cross arms and network hardware in Arcadia and Nelly Bay, install a new switch, and reconductor over 400 metres of 11,000-volt powerline.
Townsville Marina cable upgrades - Upgrade the two 11,000-volt cables at Townsville Marina substation on The Strand foreshore to improve thermal ratings and the capacity of these cables that supply electricity to Magnetic Island.
Nelly Bay to Picnic Bay cable relocation - Relocate a section of the overhead 11,000-volt powerline (between Nelly Bay and Picnic Bay) that traverses the Magnetic Island National Park. This project will improve access to the powerline during maintenance and fault response activities and reduce the impact of our operations on the environment in the National Park.
Nelly Bay to Arcadia Bay cable relocation - Relocate a section of the overhead 11,000-volt cable (between Nelly Bay and Arcadia Bay) that traverses the Magnetic Island National Park. This project will improve access and reduce the impact of our operations on the environment.
Keeping you informed
You can keep up to date and provide feedback on the latest project activities through the following information.
Newsletters
Download the newsletters about the project.
- Project Newsletter - December 2024 (PDF 830.8 kb)
- Project Construction Notice - November 2024 (PDF 1.7 mb)
- Project Announcement Flyer (PDF 650.5 kb)
Subscribe for updates
Subscribe for updates and select ‘Magnetic Island network upgrade’ in the Major Project drop down list. And you can add in ‘Keep me updated’ in the Your Feedback section.
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Photo gallery
Our designers scoping the work along Nelly Bay Road
Scoping in the National Park at Picnic Bay
Engaging with stakeholders as we scope works at Townsville Marina substation
Our community engagement goal
We aim to provide the community with balanced and objective information to help in understanding the need for this project, our delivery approach and how it may affect people.
Our promise
We'll keep the local community informed, and we’ll acknowledge and consider any feedback.
We'll provide information in different ways including, but not limited to:
- project newsletters to all who register for updates
- posting information on social media
- posting information on this website.
Project information and contact details
For more information or to provide us feedback, please contact the project team:
Email: NetworkProjectEngagement@energyq.com.au
Phone: 1300 653 055