The Queensland government has unveiled a record AU$3.2 billion investment for the CopperString electricity transmission project in its upcoming 2026-27 State Budget, marking a financial boost for North Queensland’s energy infrastructure.
The announcement coincides with workers officially breaking ground this week at the Flinders Substation near Hughenden, signalling the start of early works on the project’s Eastern Link ahead of bulk earthworks scheduled for next month.
The funding package includes AU$420 million allocated for the 2026-27 financial year to drive construction on the Eastern Link and fund enabling works for the Western Link.
This latest budget commitment represents an AU$800 million increase over the previous year’s allocation of AU$2.4 billion, reinforcing the government’s target to complete the Eastern Link by 2032.
“The upcoming Budget strengthens the foundations we laid last year and continues our record commitment to CopperString,” said Treasurer and Energy Minister David Janetzki.
“Momentum is building with workers on-site at the Flinders Substation breaking ground right now, an exciting step forward as we deliver CopperString for the North and North West.”
The government has also directed AU$200 million into the North West Energy Fund to secure short-term power solutions, including renewable energy and storage options for operations like the Dugald River Mine, while the main line is built from Townsville to Mount Isa.
“That’s why we’ve invested $200 million in the North West Energy Fund to get energy solutions up and running while we build CopperString all the way from Townsville to Mount Isa,” Janetzki said.
The infrastructure pipeline is designed to unlock the North West Minerals Province, a region estimated to hold up to AU$700 billion in critical minerals.
Additionally, a AU$50 million Community Benefits Fund is being rolled out to assist local councils along the project corridor with priority housing, water, and infrastructure initiatives.
Queensland Resources Council CEO Janette Hewson welcomed the funding boost, stating that reliable energy is vital for international resource markets.
“A reliable and affordable energy supply is crucial to unlocking the region’s significant potential to be a major global supplier of critical minerals,” Hewson said.
“Common user infrastructure projects like CopperString are essential to develop the resources needed to feed the demand from defence, electrification, and the AI boom.”
