Major Flood Resilience Upgrades For Ingham Substation Completed!

The first stage of a major upgrade to the Ingham substation has been completed, delivering a crucial boost to the region’s flood resilience ahead of the wet season. The $1.61 million project—jointly funded by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments—has raised the height of critical electrical equipment above projected 2025 flood levels, reducing the likelihood of extended power outages during future deluges.

This investment follows Ingham’s worst flooding since 1967, when severe weather earlier this year left homes, businesses and essential services vulnerable. Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said the upgrade would “help ensure the impacts we saw during the North Queensland floods earlier this year are minimised.” Assistant Minister for Northern Australia Nita Green added the works will give Ingham families and businesses “a sense of security” heading into future wet seasons.

Local leaders have praised the project as a vital step in safeguarding the community and strengthening Hinchinbrook’s critical infrastructure.**

Critical flood-resilience upgrades to the substation serving Ingham in North Queensland have been completed just in time for the wet season — delivering renewed energy security for homes and businesses across the region.

The first stage of the upgrade, jointly funded by the federal and state governments, raised the height of essential electrical equipment above this year’s flood levels. The $1.61 million project was financed using efficiencies from the joint Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). The move reduces the likelihood the substation will require shutdown during major floods — cutting the duration of power outages when the community needs electricity most.

Ingham endured some of the worst deluge conditions in nearly 60 years earlier this year. The upgrade is part of a broader government effort to strengthen vital infrastructure across flood-prone areas.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said the improvements will help shield the community from future flood impact.

“This jointly funded project will help ensure the impacts we saw during the North Queensland floods earlier this year are minimised should a similar event occur in the future,” Minister McBain said.

“This work will have a direct positive impact for Ingham by ensuring there is still access to electricity during future flood events when the community needs it most.”

Assistant Minister for Northern Australia Nita Green added the upgrades were vital for building resilience in remote and northern communities.

“This project will ensure that in the case of future events the community of Ingham is better prepared and more resilient,” Assistant Minister Green said.

“It will provide a sense of security to the people and businesses in Ingham that were hit so hard almost a year ago.”

Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Energy David Janetzki praised the rapid response efforts earlier this year — noting that crews restored power within just 28 hours under extreme conditions — and said the upgrades will help safeguard electricity supply in future flood events.

“By building back better we’re helping future proof the substation for major flooding events in the future,” Mr Janetzki said.

“Ergon crews did an exceptional job supporting Ingham last summer and their tireless efforts ensured the substation was re-energised within just 28 hours of crews gaining access.

“Never has a substation been re-energised so quickly in such challenging conditions and I thank them for their ongoing commitment to the region as they work to complete this flood mitigation project before year’s end.”

Hinchinbrook Shire’s incoming representative Wayde Chiesa described the project as a significant boost to the area’s infrastructure resilience.

“This is about safeguarding the future of Ingham and its people, and I thank the Government for delivering this for this community,” Mr Chiesa said.

“We can’t stop natural disasters, but we can minimise the impacts and that's what this does.
“By raising key equipment above projected flood levels, this will significantly reduce the risk of damage for families, businesses and emergency services.”

Local leadership also welcomed the outcome. Hinchinbrook Shire Council Mayor Ramon Jayo said the upgrades provided much-needed peace of mind for residents.

"We're all very thankful and relieved this work has been undertaken," Mayor Jayo said.

"The community has been concerned this may happen again with a similar occurrence, so we acknowledge these crucial upgrades can alleviate those concerns."

With the completion of this first stage, the Ingham substation is now far better protected against future floods. For many residents and businesses, that means greater confidence in uninterrupted power supply — even when heavy rain hits.