CopperString: Crisafulli State LNP Government commits to NQ power project
The State Government says it is calling in new “infrastructure expertise” to deliver the problem-plagued CopperString project.
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The Crisafulli Government says it is calling in the “infrastructure expertise” of Queensland Investment Corporation to deliver the problem-plagued CopperString project as it reveals that it will prioritise the eastern link from Hughenden to Townsville.
“QIC is Queensland’s finest, and we will draw upon its global experience and ability to attract private-sector investment to deliver this economic transformation of the North-West,” Treasurer and Energy Minister David Janetzki said on Tuesday.
“We’re cleaning up one of the most disgraceful cases of fiscal vandalism under the former Labor Government and we will deliver CopperString with an expanded early works package that will include a record capital investment.”
The State Government revealed that the full cost of the transformative 1,100-kilometre high-voltage electricity transmission line from Townsville to Mount Isa has blown out from nearly $2b to almost $14 billion.
Mr Janetzki said QIC’s infrastructure delivery capability and Powerlink’s transmission expertise would not only save the project but deliver value for Queenslanders.
“Despite the cost of the project blowing out under Labor from $1.8 billion in 2020 to $5 billion in 2023, then to $9 billion after the election and $13.9 billion with the network connections needed, the Crisafulli Government is delivering this project for the benefit of Queenslanders,” he said.
“We’re committed to working in lockstep with local communities in a calm and methodical manner to ensure we’re delivering the best project for the North-West.”
He said the QIC’s work “starts today”.
“It will not only oversee the prioritisation of work on the Eastern Link but begin a full analysis of options to deliver the best economic value for the Western Link.”
Mr Janetzki said the benefits of the project would be received sooner by favouring the eastern corridor.
“The sooner we can connect the North West to the National Electricity Market the better,” he said.
“Prioritising the Eastern Link will also allow focus to be placed on connecting renewable generation in the proposed Flinders Renewable Energy Zone.
The minister said Hughenden would remain the heart of CopperString.
“The Hughenden Hub of the Eastern Link, which will begin construction later this year, pending federal approval, will create 100 jobs,” he said.
“We want to reassure the communities and the businesses in the North and North West of the State we’re committed to saving CopperString.”
The project is designed to connect Queensland’s North-West Minerals Province to the national electricity grid.
Mr Janetzki said it was developing a new energy roadmap to “respect Queenslanders’ money, and boost market confidence and investment”.
“Unlike the former Labor Government, we’ll be transparent with the people of Queensland on costs and time frames.”
Opposition Leader Steven Miles rejected LNP claims that it had saved CopperString, saying, “they’ve cut it”.
“It’s another dud deal from David Crisafulli, who is now delivering half of what was promised,” he said.
“Just as the ratings agencies predicted, the LNP is letting their creative accounting run riot as they lay the foundations for savage cuts in the budget.”
Mr Miles said the announcement would drive investors away, jeopardizing $500b in opportunities and thousands of jobs.
He said Mr Crisafulli and Mr Janetzki needed to guarantee that the project would be delivered in full by 2032.
“Or admit that the LNP’s only plan was to keep coal-fired power plants running long enough for Peter Dutton to build his nuclear reactors in our backyard.”
Mount Isa mayor Peta MacRae expressed reservations, saying that while the proposal sounded good in theory, she did not believe the eastern link, intended to be stage four of the project, had been properly scoped.
“Negotiations with the traditional landholders, landowners and approvals haven’t progressed as far as they have going the other way (west),” she said.
“I think it’s going to be good in theory but I’m not sure how it’s going to be practical.”
Ms MacRae said proponents planning on launching projects in Mt Isa “now have uncertainty about time frames”.
“And it’s at a time when we can least afford to not have confidence with the closure of our underground copper mine and questions about the smelter.”
Flinders Shire Mayor Kate Peddle said she was “elated” that Hughenden would remain at the centre of the project that would unlock the potential of the Flinders Renewable Energy Zone.
“This recognition is vital for our region and shows the commitment to ensuring that our community is at the forefront of this transformative initiative.”
She said, however, that the government must “deliver a clear, actionable plan” that included a final financial decision.
“The delays have gone on long enough, and our businesses and communities need certainty … the lack of clear timelines is causing unnecessary doubt and frustration,” she said.
“Let’s get on with it – announcing financial commitments and a detailed roadmap is the next critical step.”
EARLIER: Crisafulli remains committed to CopperString
Townsville MP Adam Baillie says the State Government is committed to CopperString despite the cost of the transformative North Queensland power project blowing out to $13.9b.
Mr Baillie, speaking in Townsville on Tuesday, said it had been almost a year since the then State Labour Government broke ground on the 840km energy transmission link connecting Mt Isa to near Townsville in Hughenden in July 2024.
“By now the community was rightly expecting to see poles and wires go up (but) unfortunately in that time all we’ve seen go up is the price and that’s not good enough,” he said.
The ambitious investment is intended to provide access to renewable energy as well as power the critical minerals sector in the North-West, generating significant investment and creating thousands of jobs.
Mr Baillie reiterated that Premiere David Crisafulli was “committed as a government to get CopperString installed and to see CopperString go right through till the end and that’s what we will do”.
He said additional details would be released on Tuesday afternoon.
“But, rest assured … the Crisafulli government will deliver CopperString and we’re going to do it as best we can.”
Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith said it was “never great” to comment on a “cost blowout”.
The cost of the project was initially estimated at $1.2b, which had increased to $9b in December last year.
“We know that this is the most important project for the North, it’s enabling a $40b investment pipeline and without it we cannot deliver on the best solar resources, we can’t keep our smelter and refinery open and we can’t open those new copper mines,” she said.
“It’s a project we need to see going forward and we are hearing all the right noises out of the Crisafulli government that they are committed to the project.”
Ms Brumme-Smith said TEL was looking forward to hearing additional details from the government later on Tuesday, including about costs, time frames and how the project would be managed going forward.
“We understand (the LNP) have only been in government for a short period of time but it is about making sure that it is being delivered as effectively as possible.”
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Originally published as CopperString: Crisafulli State LNP Government commits to NQ power project
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