The $109.75 million SunSouth Power Project is charging ahead in a bid to ensure power supply is safe and reliable as the population on the Southern Sunshine Coast continues to soar.

The SunSouth Power Project will enhance power supply to current properties between Caloundra and Bells Creek, while accommodating the anticipated influx of 50,000 residents to the Aura community and the planned commercial, industrial, educational, and mixed-use developments in Caboolture South.

Energex Project Manager Kyle Murphy said the new underground and overhead network would stretch 11 kilometres from Meridan Plains finishing at a new substation currently being built at Bells Creek.

“With the new network and Bells Creek substation online, it will take significant load off the existing Caloundra substation,” Mr Murphy said.

“This will be particularly beneficial during severe weather events, allowing Energex technical staff to divert power between both areas, enabling faster restoration if storms or other unexpected issues interrupt supply.”

Civil works on the substation have commenced and one kilometre of underground conduits have been laid ready for the installation of cables.

“The aim is to complete construction early 2027,” Mr Murphy said.

“This timeframe is dependent on weather and natural disaster issues.”

Mr Murphy addressed residents’ concerns about noise and EMF exposure.

“Energex adopts a Prudent Avoidance approach when constructing new infrastructure – such as maintaining appropriate distances away from houses (in this case at least 40 metres for overhead) – as do many other countries including Sweden, Denmark, Norway, New Zealand and many states in the USA,” he said.

“The majority of this project is constructed in road reserves through industrial areas and the Bells Creek substation is approximately 800m away from the closest home and adjacent to the Bells Creek Arterial Road.

“As with any major infrastructure project, at times, heavy vehicle movement and construction noise is unavoidable, however, Energex will work to ensure the majority of construction is carried out between 7am and 5:30pm.”