Qld: Power supplies should be back today

AAP General News (Australia)
02-01-2004
Qld: Power supplies should be back today

BRISBANE, Feb 1 AAP - Queenslanders still without power after the violent storms of
the past week should be reconnected today.

More than 120,000 homes were left blacked out after Friday's violent storm at about
4.30pm (AEST) with crews from distribution corporation Energex working long hours to repair
damaged power lines.

A spokeswoman for Energex said after another night of work more than 97 per cent of
those affected have had power restored.

"We've got about 3,400 customers still without power and we are hopeful that they should
be reconnected by lunchtime today," the spokeswoman said.

She said helicopters were being used to patrol main power lines around Brisbane to
check for any further damage.

Many Energex staff worked 18-hour shifts in the wake of the storm and additional workers
were brought in from NSW power companies Country Energy and Energy Australia and regional
Queensland company Ergon.

Extra State Emergency Service (SES) teams were also enlisted from outside Brisbane
to help with the storm clean-up.

The Weather Bureau has forecast another fine day for the south-east of the state today,
but warns there is a possibility of thunderstorms developing tomorrow.

A helpline has been set up for people affected by the storms.

Families Minister Judy Spence said the helpline, 1800 440 074, began operating from
8am (AEST) today.

Ms Spence said anyone suffering personal hardship as a result of the storms could contact
the helpline.

"Some people have had their homes damaged, but many more have been without power and
may be in need of essentials like food and medicines which have spoiled in the heat,"

Ms Spence said.

"I am particularly concerned about the elderly, people with a disability and pensioners
who might not be able to replenish their supplies."

Ms Spence said anyone who was concerned about the welfare of a neighbour, relative
of friend should check on them or call the hotline on their behalf if they needed assistance.

National counselling service Kids Helpline is back in business today after falling
victim to the power blackouts.

A spokeswoman for the service said it was estimated between 3,000 to 4,000 phone calls
from children in need had been missed.

The nationwide service operates from suburban Milton in Brisbane and was without power
for 24 hours.

A spokeswoman said power had been restored overnight after Energex lifted their priority
on the repairs list and the service was operating again.

"We are operating again and it's just as busy as ever," a spokeswoman said this morning.

Yesterday a spokeswoman said Kids Helpline had been surprised to find that power company
Energex classified them as a business rather than as an emergency service.

Friday's storm killed one man and left two people, including a child, in hospital.

The 50-year-old farmer died on his Gympie farm and police believe he may have suffered
a heart attack.

Two Korean girls, one aged nine and the other six, were trapped by falling trees at
the University of Queensland's St Lucia campus in Brisbane's inner-west. They were taking
a tour of the university's Great Court when the trees were uprooted and toppled on them.

A spokeswoman for the Royal Brisbane Hospital said the nine-year-old remained in a
critical condition late yesterday, while the six-year-old escaped uninjured.

A woman was also taken to hospital with respiratory problems after the roof was blown
off a hostel in inner-suburban New Farm.

AAP jfs/jv/jlw

KEYWORD: STORMS QLD DAYLEAD

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