Crisafulli Government delivers legacy infrastructure for communities along CopperString corridor

• The Crisafulli Government is delivering priority housing, water and local infrastructure projects to communities along the CopperString route.
• $50 million Community Benefits Fund is supporting critical projects and economic and workforce development across CopperString corridor.
• Treasurer travels Townsville to Mount Isa reaffirming the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to the biggest energy project in North Queensland’s history.
• The Crisafulli Government is delivering CopperString and a plan for Queensland’s future, despite years of eyewatering cost blowouts and neglect under the former Labor Government. 

The Crisafulli Government is delivering priority housing, water and local infrastructure projects to communities along the CopperString route.  

As part of the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to the biggest energy project in North Queensland’s history, $50 million in legacy projects will be delivered to communities in the State’s North and North West. 

Treasurer and Minister for Energy David Janetzki, who is this week travelling the CopperString corridor from Townsville to Mount Isa, has announced the Community Benefits Fund will provide support for key projects in Townsville, Charters Towers, Flinders Shire, Richmond, Julia Creek, Cloncurry and Mount Isa. 

As part of the fund, $4.285 million is set aside for critical local infrastructure projects supporting the $225 million Flinders Substation and Hughenden Hub, as well as an initial $1 million to support detailed design and cost analysis for critical water and sewerage infrastructure. 

During his regional tour this week, Treasurer Janetzki will visit the Flinders Substation where on-the-ground work is already underway. 

It’s just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland’s future after saving CopperString, despite years of neglect and cost blowouts of a staggering $12 billion under the former Labor Government. 

In this year’s Budget, the Crisafulli Government included a record $2.4 billion investment into the project. 

Treasurer Janetzki said the Crisafulli Government was unwavering in its commitment to deliver what is one of the most important projects for the North and North West.  

“The reality is CopperString would never have seen the light of day under the former Labor Government whose gross mismanagement of the project led to staggering cost blowouts,” Treasurer Janetzki said. 

“We included a record investment in this year’s Budget to ensure affordable, reliable and sustainable energy through the delivery of this project. 

“This is real money to build the transmission line and real investment in the economic growth of our State.”  

Queensland Investment Corporation is currently prioritising work on CopperString’s Eastern Link from Hughenden to Townsville, while it carries out a full analysis of options to deliver the best economic value for the Western Link. 

The Crisafulli Government has also established the North West Energy Fund to support communities west of Hughenden until the Western Link is built.   

The $200 million fund will help improve energy affordability and reliability for local communities in and around Mt Isa, Cloncurry, Julia Creek and Richmond.