Major construction for Queensland’s landmark Copperstring energy project has reached an important milestone, with heavy civil earthworks now underway at the site of the new Flinders Substation, south of Hughenden.
The Queensland government committed a record AU$3.2 billion in this year’s State Budget to secure the transmission project.
Once complete, the infrastructure will unlock access to the North West Minerals Province, a region estimated to contain over AU$700 billion in critical minerals. The project aims to provide the transmission capacity required to support new mining developments.
Crews are currently delivering foundational civil works, including building a new access road, upgrading the entrance at Kennedy Developmental Road, and preparing the main substation footprint. Bulk earthworks at the site are scheduled for completion by the end of this year.
“Copperstring is more than a transmission line – it’s an energy solution for the North and North West and the progress is real including the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for further development works for a new battery storage and wind farm to power Dugald River Mine on the back of the $200m North West Energy Fund,” said Treasurer and Minister for Energy David Janetzki.
“The North West Minerals Province is one of the richest mineral producing regions in the world, potentially holding AU$700 billion in critical minerals and further unlocking opportunities will help deliver even more benefit for Queensland’s economy.”
The state government is also rolling out a AU$50 million Community Benefits Fund to support local infrastructure across regional corridors from Townsville to Mount Isa. Approved regional projects include the Scarr Street Revitalisation in Cloncurry, the Julia Creek Essential Workforce Village in McKinlay, and water security initiatives in Charters Towers.
To accommodate the influx of workers and support economic expansion, the government recently approved a multi-dwelling housing development proposed by the Flinders Shire Council in Hughenden.
Additional clean energy proposals are also advancing alongside the project, including a prospective wind farm and battery storage facility to supply the Dugald River Mine.
