General News
9 April, 2025
CopperString redirected as state cites $13.9 billion cost
The North West will have to wait a little while longer to be connected to the national grid.
North West mayors say they are concerned about the future of CopperString after the state government announced that it was delaying the project and changing its direction.
Queensland Treasurer David Janetzki, who is also the Energy Minister, said the government estimated it would cost $13.9 billion to finish CopperString under the original plan, and had called the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) to oversee the project in a bid to find savings and efficiencies.
While the LNP government says it is committed to CopperString, Tuesday’s announcement was a blow for the North West as changes to the project schedule mean there will be little action west of Hughenden in the near future.
Powerlink has been ordered to re-route the project from Hughenden to Townsville, and work won’t start until next year.
Cloncurry Shire mayor Greg Campbell said the news was a double-edged sword, citing the positive of a commitment, as well as the potential for the state government to renege, having created “wiggle room”.
“We had a very brief (online) meeting with the Treasurer and there are positives,” he said.
“He said the extra money ($13.9 billion) is to cover all of the connections to mines and the extra sub-stations that the initial project had omitted.
“If that means the renewable projects can come up quicker once CopperString is built, and that mines can come on quicker once it is built, that is good news.
“But when I asked, ‘will it be ready for Eva Copper by 2029 at the latest?’, I don’t believe I got a commitment to that.
“We can only take him on his word at this point where he reiterated, and reiterated strongly, that they are committed to building it.”
Cr Campbell said the North West had to be viewed as a place for growth and prosperity for all Queenslanders.
He said he was concerned that CopperString was being used as a deflection tool to make the 2032 Brisbane Olympics appear less expensive.
“The cynic in me says, has the price increased because the headline comes out that the Olympics looks cheap? Is CopperString just a cheap victim of being able to improve the perception of the Olympics in the south-east? But that could just be me,” the mayor said.
Mount Isa mayor Peta MacRae said she was concerned by the lack of a solid timeframe given by the Treasurer.
“I told him that it’s great that you’re going to deliver CopperString, but we need to be able to let others know when it’s going to be there so they can make investment decisions,” she said.
“Powerlink always went west because that’s where they had their approvals. They’ve already done the negotiations with the landholders and they’ve got tenancy agreements and land tenure agreements.
“I don’t understand how it’s physically possible for them to pivot and go from Hughenden to Townsville because that work isn’t done. There’s no way they can just turn around and start that straight away.”
Richmond Shire mayor John Wharton said he believed the North West Mineral Province and agriculture sector was too big for the government to turn its back on and that it was unlikely it would cancel its plans for CopperString halfway into the project.
“The mining industry and agriculture on this corridor is second to none as far as GDP for the nation is concerned,” he said.
“So they’ve got to finish it.”
The veteran mayor said the positive of the delay could be more efficiency on the ground.
“I never had a lot of confidence in the project because I saw the way they worked,” he said of Powerlink’s foray into Richmond Shire.
Flinders Shire mayor Kate Peddle is the big winner of the project after Mr Janetzki said “Hughenden will remain the heart of CopperString”.
Cr Peddle said restoring the confidence of the North West should be the priority of the state government.
“While I welcome the government’s attention to the project, our local businesses, major proponents, and stakeholders all need certainty and confidence to move forward,” she said.
“We cannot afford to let more delays undermine the economic future of our community.
“Local contractors and businesses, many of whom have already committed resources, need clear direction.
“They need to know exactly how they can continue their work on this project and when they will see financial commitments from the government.
“It’s critical to keep the momentum going.”
Cr Peddle also expressed her satisfaction that Hughenden and Flinders Shire would remain at the epicentre of the CopperString program.
“I am elated that Hughenden will continue to serve as the hub of the CopperString project. This recognition is vital for our region and shows the commitment to ensuring that our community is at the forefront of this transformative initiative,” she said.
Mr Janetzki said QIC’s infrastructure delivery capability, coupled with Powerlink’s transmission expertise meant that CopperString would not only be “saved” but would deliver value for Queenslanders.
“QIC is Queensland’s finest, and we will draw upon its global experience and ability to attract private sector investment to deliver this economic transformation of the North West,” he said.
“QIC’s work starts today. It will not only oversee the prioritisation of work on the Eastern Link but begin a full analysis of options to deliver the best economic value for the Western Link.”
Mr Janetzki said that by prioritising the Eastern Link, the benefits of the project would be received sooner.
“The sooner we can connect the North West to the National Electricity Market the better,” he said.
Member for Traeger Robbie Katter said he took the Treasurer at his word and that he expected a David Crisafulli-led government to follow through on its promise to complete CopperString.
However, he said the government must provide more information on the rollout.
“I’m highly concerned,” he told North West Weekly after concerns were raised by mayors and industry about unclear timeframes.
“And I’ve expressed that in the strongest terms to the government and I’m satisfied that they understand that.
“The good way to look at that is if the right decisions are made now, then we come out of this thriving.
“In the backdrop of a federal election, I think it will make the next few weeks very, very interesting because the federal government and opposition has not committed a brass razoo to this yet.
“With the federal election here it gives them a chance to come out of the trenches and throw their weight behind this stuff, which might put a whole different perspective on all of this.”