Treasure David Janetzki promises CopperString to be delivered under bugdet

The state government has boldly promised that one of the key projects outlined for North Queensland will be delivered for less than its current price tag of $13.9 billion.

Treasurer, Minister for Energy and Minister for Home Ownership David Janetzki with CEO of Townsville Enterprise Claudia Brumme-Smith.

The state government has boldly promised that one of the key projects outlined for North Queensland will be delivered for less than its current price tag of $13.9 billion.

Queensland’s treasurer David Janetzki was in Townsville to begin a road trip to Mount Isa, showing the people of the North and North West his “support for them and their industries” and to engage in discussion surrounding the CopperString project and the future of the Glencore mine.

Joined by the chief executive of Townsville Enterprise Claudia Brumme-Smith, Mr Janetzki said the advocacy had done an “outstanding job” bringing state and national attention to the CopperString project.

Mr Janetzki said the latest costing of the project is $13.9 billion, but he said it should not cost that much.

“I’ve brought QIC (Queensland Investment Corporation) in to work on a delivery plan, bringing their infrastructure capability, partnering with Powerlink,” he said.

“I think we need this project built on time and on budget. One thing I commit, It will not cost $13.9 million. CopperString is too vital and too important for the North and North West and we’re not going to wait, we are not going to tolerate the kind of cost blowouts the former government tolerated”

“It’s important to the economic viability and opportunity of the North and North West that we pull together the vast array of interests and potential to make sure that this is a thriving community for generations to come,” he said.

“We believe in his region, its potential and its possibilities and I’m looking forward to spending the next few days on the road,” he said.

Ms Brumme-Smith said the CopperString project was the “biggest enabler” for not only the North, but Queensland as a whole.

She said CopperString is the single most important enabling project in Northern Australia, with more than 40 per cent of the $40 billion investment pipeline dependent on the delivery of this transmission line between Townsville and Mount Isa.

Treasurer, Minister for Energy and Minister for Home Ownership David Janetzki with CEO of Townsville Enterprise Claudia Brumme-Smith.

On the future of another copper hot topic, Mr Brumme-smith said with 17,000 jobs connected to Glencore it was an issue that went beyond the region.

“This is beyond Townsville, Mount Isa and to some extent the state, because it is a national security issue and we need the federal government not to leave Queensland behind,” she said.

“We’re absolutely writing cheques to any other smelter and we deserve the same.”

“Not only is copper the most strategic metal when it comes to decarbonisations, but it’s also 17,000 jobs in our economy. The copper supply chain is absolutely critical.”

With the federal government labelling the Mount Isa smelter as largely a “state responsibility”, Mr Janetzki said “confidential” discussions were ongoing into the future of operations.

“We’re working constructively in those negotiations,” he said.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Queensland has been good to Glencore and we want to make sure that they’re thinking of Queensland’s interest so we won’t back away from working hard to support Queensland’s interests.”

Mount Isa Mines. Picture Glencore

On what reassurance and clarity he can provide to people living and working in the region, Mr Janetzki said he wants to stand in solidarity with the people for the economic interest that “underpin the North and North West’s prosperity.”

“I’m looking forward to looking in the eyes of the workers, of those people that want to run businesses here, small and family businesses in those outback towns, that know the vast potential for the region,” he said.

The Townsville Bulletin reported on Monday that new predictions revealed North Queensland’s unemployment rate could hit 18 per cent if Glencore closes down operations, to which Mr Janetzki responded that the region is “top of mind.”

“Glencore has a responsibility to be a good corporate citizen. Queensland has been good to them…,” he said.

Treasurer David Janetzki (centre) with Townsville MP's Natalie Marr, Adam Baillie and Janelle Poole, and Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith at the announcement of $1.4bn for the CopperString project in June

Map of the proposed CopperString transmission line. The Reid River realignment highlighted in red.

“In the Budget last month I announced a record investment of $2.4 billion into CopperString, which is an increase on the former government’s commitment, because we are determined that we build CopperString from Townsville to Mount Isa,” he said.

Mr Janetzki said over the coming day he would be stopping in towns along the way to Mount Isa, visiting renewable energy sites, meeting local mayors and local communities before finishing in Mount Isa where he will meet with “key minerals resources interests.”

He will also visit CopperString workers in Hughenden, where a workforce accommodation facility is “on track to be fully operational” by September, with construction of the $225 million Hughenden Hub due to start later this financial year, pending approvals.

Originally published as Treasure David Janetzki promises CopperString to be delivered under bugdet