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Underground power better than NBN: Opposition

Long-term plan to secure power supplies from threat of future cyclones needs, says Queensland opposition

Putting power cables underground in cyclone prone areas would be a better investment than the National Broadband Network, the Queensland opposition says.

About 200,000 homes had their power cut after electricity lines and substations were damaged by Cyclone Yasi between Cairns and Townsville.

Opposition leader John Paul Langbroek says a long-term plan is needed to secure power supplies from the threat of future cyclones.

"The people of north Queensland are telling me they'd rather have reliable power than broadband," he told reporters in Townsville on Tuesday.

"You can't use broadband if you don't have electricity.

"The opposition has been calling for the progressive undergrounding of electricity in cyclone areas for seven years."

He said a 20-year program was needed to complete the important power upgrades to cyclone proof Queensland.

"There's no doubt it's going to be expensive," he said.

"We're not saying it should be done in one budget cycle but as part of planning for the future."

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