Authorities throughout Queensland have taken significant action in response to an increase in copper theft, as thieves are causing damage worth millions of dollars.
Because of the substantial impact on the network, Energy Queensland has modified its strategies to help contain the situation.
Energex regional manager Chris Graham told Queensland, “We’ve had incidents where the copper thieves have taken up to 1000 meters of cable in one night.”
Since 2020, copper crime on Queensland’s power network has tripled; in only the past year, there were nearly 400 occurrences.
Targets include new housing developments, sports teams, and commercial establishments.
There are rumors that burglars are disguising themselves as tradespeople in order to go undetected.
The wire was sold by the culprits to scrap-metal traders, who melted it down and reshaped it so that it could be used primarily in electronics.
Daniel Cunningham of Queensland Police stated, “People are driving commercial utes and stealing copper while dressed in high visibility.”
“I would encourage anyone if they do see anything to report it.”
Nevertheless, workers have switched out copper for aluminum at several of its locations as repair costs have increased to more than $4.5 million annually.
“There’s no scrap value for the copper thieves in this cable, so there’s no point in them trying to steal this cable,” Graham stated.
