Newsroom

January 30, 2025

North Queensland leaders have welcomed the LNP Crisafulli Government’s most recent reaffirmation of its plans to progress the multi-billion dollar CopperString project, the largest ever economic development project in the region.

Last week, Queensland Treasurer David Janetzki delivered his Mid-year Budget Review, re-affirming the LNP’s iron-clad commitment to completing the build of 840km-long electricity transmission line from Mount to Townsville.

In the 2024-25 Budget, $712 million was committed to the project in order to break ground and commence phase one of the build.

Katter’s Australian Party Leader and Traeger MP Robbie Katter said he welcomed the LNP’s ongoing commitment to the project, which he said would be a game-changer for North Queensland.

“The new Premier, and Treasurer’s, ongoing promise to build CopperString is absolutely the kind of commitment and investment in our future that North Queenslanders want to see,” he said.

“I have long argued that Queensland’s economic future exists in our region, and whether you’re looking at it from an industrial and mining perspective or from the region’s capacity to generate renewable energy, the North is where these opportunities are.

“The Mount Isa to Townsville economic corridor is extremely valuable to the entire State and I am reassured that, through their ongoing promises to see this major project through to completion, the new Crisafulli LNP Government are acutely aware of that.”

MITEZ CEO Maria James also welcomed the new Queensland Government’s ongoing commitment.

“The CopperString project is transformative, it will ensure the long-term viability of the North West, and the new State Government knows the potential at stake,” she said.

“Every mining company, emerging miner, even graziers and croppers, need affordable, reliable and consistent power.

“Even more so, CopperString can unlock new industry in the North West if there is access to cheaper power to value-add through refineries or agricultural processing facilities.

“I can understand the incoming Government’s need to scrutinise CopperString, and without a doubt that cost is high – the cost of not delivering the project however is much, much higher, and every day we delay those costs to the North West mount.”

In his final Budget last year, former Labor Treasurer Cameron Dick provided forward estimates for the project of just over $4 billion dollars.

Inflation and other factors have pushed the project’s cost higher, and Mr Katter has repeatedly warned Powerlink – the state-owned asset management corporation that has been contracted to manage and deliver the project – to ensure efficiency and to minimise wastage throughout the construction process.