- The Crisafulli Government delivers investment to more than double capacity at the North Toowoomba Substation and deliver a new 3.6km underground electricity link.
- Upgrade will provide a dedicated hospital supply and additional capacity equivalent to another 15,000 homes.
- The milestone comes as major construction continues to progress on the new Toowoomba Hospital as part of the Hospital Rescue Plan, delivering three new and 10 expanded hospitals across Queensland.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering health services when Queenslanders need them and healing Labor’s Health Crisis.
The Crisafulli Government is powering Toowoomba’s future with more than $50 million in energy infrastructure to support the new Toowoomba Hospital and the city’s next wave of growth.
Ergon Energy has started work to more than double the capacity of the North Toowoomba Substation, including two new modular switch-room buildings and two 32MVA transformers.
The investment includes $38 million for the substation and associated works and $16 million for a new dedicated 3.6km underground electricity link to the hospital.
Progress on the new Toowoomba Hospital is steaming ahead to deliver at least 538 overnight beds, including 84 dedicated acute mental health beds, as well as a cardiac lab, more dialysis services and a larger emergency department.
The project, being constructed by John Holland Group, is part of the Crisafulli Government’s Hospital Rescue Plan, delivering three new and 10 expanded hospitals across the state.
During their decade of decline, the former Labor Government failed to deliver for Toowoomba. Their plan for a split hospital campus wasn’t backed by clinicians and would have cost the health service up to $400 million in additional operating costs each year.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering health services when Queenslanders need them, healing Labor’s Health Crisis, and delivering affordable, reliable and sustainable power.
Treasurer and Minister for Energy, Minister for Home Ownership and Member for Toowoomba South David Janetzki said the new energy infrastructure would build capacity well beyond the new hospital.
“The new Toowoomba Hospital is a huge investment in our city and we need the infrastructure to match it,” Treasurer Janetzki said.
“We’re more than doubling the capacity of the North Toowoomba Substation, with enough additional capacity to supply the equivalent of another 15,000 homes.
“This is what our Energy Roadmap is about: improving what we have while building what we need for the future.”
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the new underground electricity link was just the latest milestone at the new Toowoomba Hospital site.
“Only two years after being elected, we’ve got the new Toowoomba Hospital back on track after Labor failed to make any progress during their decade of decline,” Minister Nicholls said.
“Connecting the power here is just the next step in delivering this crucial project, but we have so much more to come.
“To date, we’ve poured a million man hours into this project and locals will continue to see a very busy worksite here over coming months, with fit out works already progressing on the lower floors.”
The substation and electricity connection works are scheduled for completion in 2028.
Energy Queensland Chief Operating Officer Jeff Green said the complexity of the energy works required close collaboration with the community and a range of agencies.
“We’ve been working with the Toowoomba Regional Council on everything from vegetation clearing to understanding where their underground services are located along the route to the hospital,” Mr Green said.
“With rail corridor, waterway and roads to plan around, clear communication and coordination with Queensland Rail, Transport and Main Roads and local businesses and residents has been critical.”
The hospital and substation form part of a broader infrastructure program across Toowoomba and the Darling Downs, including the Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project and Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline.
