Two CBD black-outs in as many days get customers hot under the collar


Homes and businesses in the Cairns CBD have sweltered through a second day of power outages.

More than 300 Ergon Energy customers between the Esplanade and Sheridan Street lost electricity just before 1pm today as the outside temperature hovered around 31 degrees celcius.

Power was restored to all customers by 3.30pm.



It followed black-outs for more than 1600 Ergon customers across the CBD, Portsmith, Westcourt, Bungalow and Manunda yesterday, caused by separate cable faults.

A spokesman for Ergon Energy said the most recent outages are unrelated.

“Today was different to yesterday.

“There was a fault between two substations, which the crews are repairing,” he said.

“Because the power is underground, it makes it hard to pin-point the fault.”

Posts to social media, though, showed frustration with the region’s only electricity service provider.

“Can you imagine the outcry if Brisbane CBD lost power two days in a row?

I feel for small business owners,” said Greg Howarth.

“We need another supplier,” added Laurine Keily.

“Competition is a good thing.”

Others, though, were more sympathetic.

Jacqui Ryan said, “Fact of life living in the tropics.

“Ergon do a great job considering.”