Queensland to spend $1.3bn to get CopperString shovel-ready in 2024

The Queensland government will spend $1.3 billion to get the CopperString 2.0 transmission project to shovel-ready status in mid-2024, paving the way for the 1,100km link connecting North Queensland to the state’s renewable SuperGrid.

The bulk payment is the first major one towards the $5 billion project, and covers everything the project will need to get to full construction, from workers camps to down payments on long-lead time equipment such as transformers.

The big spending announcement comes after the state government pulled $1 billion in June out of its coal royalty kitty in preparation. At the time, a more limited spending estimate for early works — those which don’t include associated costs like for workers camps — was $594 million.

The cash will pay for design and engineering and environmental assessments, 100 permanent jobs, begin procurement of transmission equipment and site development, and pay for easements along the transmission line.

“This historic project, which will connect $500 billion in critical minerals with the largest renewable energy zone on the east coast of Australia, will unlock the next mining boom and jobs across the North West Minerals Province and North Queensland,” says Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

“CopperString 2032 is the largest ever economic development project in North Queensland, and the largest expansion to the power grid in Australia.”

Plans to build the massive transmission line between Townsville and Mount Isa were fast tracked in March, when the state government announced it had bought the project from CuString and would develop it.

At the time Palaszczuk also said a $500 million payment from the coal royalty kitty had been made towards the project.

The latest funding is necessary to get the planning, design and environmental approvals underway, says Powerlink CEO Paul Simshauser.

The Palaszczuk government initially picked CopperString up again in 2020, and it was supposed to be “shovel ready” in 2021 for a 2024 start date. But it’s been on the table for much more than a decade – with the same arguments for it being made when it was originally shelved in 2011.

Keep it in North Queensland

Keeping the construction benefits in North Queensland is a key talking point for those involved with the project, with Simshauser saying they want to see people from the region getting involved.

Minister for resources and Townsville MP Scott Stewart went further, saying the project is for North Queenslanders and should be built by them.

“Every element of this project will be delivered in compliance with our Buy Queensland procurement policy, ensuring as much of this investment circulates throughout North Queensland, building an even more resilient economy,” he says.

Previously Stewart has said he expects around 800 jobs to be supported through the construction of the 500 kV line.

The benefits should be felt quickly with an associated broadband network to be built out and ready from 2024.