Ergon Energy has stepped in to help the Proserpine Show get back on track and stage its annual show for the community this year.
Treasurer Curtis Pitt said the Proserpine showgrounds suffered significant damage when Tropical Cyclone Debbie crossed the coast in March raising doubts the annual show would go head in 2017.
“Locals have bravely shown how life goes on after a disaster and so the show must go on too,” Mr Pitt said.
“The Proserpine Show is an iconic event for communities across the Whitsundays, which makes it doubly important for it to proceed this year.
“The emotional recovery is ongoing and this popular event is something to look forward to.
Energy Minister Mark Bailey said power was one of the Show Whitsundays Committee’s most pressing issues.
“I know Ergon’s local crews worked closely with the Show Whitsunday Committee to repair its electricity network which was severely damaged in the category four storm,” Mr Bailey said.
“Their network was severely damaged and without power the Proserpine Show could not be held at the showgrounds this year.”
Ergon customer delivery manager Chester Brodie said he was pleased to be able to help the Show Committee get their network operating again.
“The crews worked quickly replacing power poles and powerlines while local electrical contractors worked on the Society’s switchboard that supplies power to the showground buildings,” Mr Brodie said.
Show Whitsunday Committee President Donna Rogers said the repair of its network was a giant step forward in getting the 105thshow back on track.
“We are so grateful to Ergon Energy. They’ve not only restored our network but saved our show as well. The show is so important to the Whitsunday community. It brings together all communities in this area for two days of events and activities and that is so important now as our community recovers from Cyclone Debbie,” she said.
The Show’s main pavilion building was completely destroyed and other buildings suffered significant damage, she said.
“However we hope to have most of them repaired in time for the show in late June.”