Bayview Heights to Davies Creek Refit Project

Overview 

Powerlink is undertaking refit works on its transmission towers at Bayview Heights in Cairns, running west through the wet tropics rainforest to Davies Creek, east of Mareeba.

This section of line is approximately 16km in length, consisting of 37 towers – some of which are the tallest in Powerlink’s network at 85 metres, designed to sit above the forest canopy. It has been identified that 21 of the 37 towers along this stretch of line require refit maintenance works to extend their operational life.

Far North Queensland experiences extreme climatic conditions including high ambient temperatures, high relative humidity and regular rainfall outside of the wet season. These maintenance works are necessary to help ensure a continued safe, reliable and cost-effective electricity supply to the region.

Refit activities on the towers include:

• checking and replacing any corroded nuts, bolts and steelwork
• re-installing or upgrading tower earthing systems
• replacing tower signs and anti-climbing barriers
• foundation strengthening works
• cleaning, surface preparation and hand painting of towers with zinc-rich paint.

Status 

The three-year project conducting maintenance activities on the 21 towers was completed in early December 2025.