General News
10 July, 2024
Hughenden thrilled to be the first cog in $5 billion CopperString project
The first sod was turned on the accommodation village to house up to 550 workers.
Hughenden has become the official heart of the CopperString project as construction commences on Queensland’s largest regional power project.
Work has begun on the first and largest workforce accommodation site which will house those charged with building the 840km high voltage transmission line, aimed at unlocking critical minerals and renewable resources.
The camp, on the eastern outskirts of town, will house up to 550 construction workers at its peak. These workers will construct a nearby substation and progress early stages of the transmission line development heading west from Hughenden to Mount Isa.
Construction includes site preparation and civil works, as well as installation and maintenance of accommodation quarters over the site’s five-year life span.
At the sod-turning ceremony on Tuesday, Premier Steven Miles and the Powerlink team were officially welcomed by Yirendali Traditional Owner James Hill, who gave a detailed history of the adversity his people had faced over the past century.
For some of the Elders present for the ceremony, it was the first time in decades they had been back on their Country.
Mr Miles said the project would be a game-changer for the North Queensland economy.
“CopperString will be the catalyst for transforming Queensland’s North and North West – opening up mining opportunities, creating more jobs and unlocking critical minerals which will be essential in developing renewable technologies,” he said.
“This is the start of a long and exciting future for the region and our state.”
Deputy Premier Cameron Dick added: “CopperString 2032 lies at the heart of Queensland’s economic transformation.
“By connecting the mineral wealth of our state’s North West to Townsville’s manufacturing precincts and port, we are creating the opportunity for more Queensland minerals to be processed in Queensland, creating skilled jobs in new industries.
“We are also making it easier for industrial-scale renewable projects right across Queensland’s north to feed into the national grid, helping deliver more affordable, renewable energy.”
Resources and Critical Minerals Minister Scott Stewart said having access to high voltage power would allow new mining projects to begin in the North West.
“All of North Queensland understands the immense opportunities that CopperString presents for local jobs both directly and indirectly,” he said.
“CopperString will help unlock potentially $500 billion of critical minerals deposits in the North West Minerals Province.
“Critical minerals are the next big boom for the resources industry and the feedback I’ve had from companies is that this project is key to unlocking those opportunities.”
Work on the transmission line is due to commence mid-2025.
Once complete to Mount Isa, work will then commence on the eastern portion of the line from Hughenden back to Townsville.
Starting this month, Powerlink will offer free sessions for businesses along the CopperString corridor to build their capabilities.
The program includes five workshops and one-on-one assistance to help businesses build confidence to bid on major projects and supply chain work in the region.
The first workshop is in Hughenden on July 23, followed by Richmond on July 25.
For more information and to register, either call 1800 635 369 or visit powerlink.com.au/CopperString2032.