Powerlink Queensland, Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) and Queensland Treasury have met to discuss the continued delivery of the CopperString project in North Queensland following the Queensland Treasurer’s announcement that we will now work in partnership to deliver this important project.
Powerlink will prioritise work on the Eastern Link of the project (Townsville to Hughenden), working in collaboration with QIC while they complete an assessment of the project, focused on ensuring value for money and identifying delivery models to support private sector investment.
The shared focus is to deliver CopperString in a way that represents best value to Queenslanders, delivers economic benefits to North and North West Queensland, and best meets Queensland's power system requirements.
Early works on the Eastern Link will continue to progress, with a strong focus on securing easements, planning and environment approvals, along with preparing to mobilise for construction of the Flinders Substation – the Hughenden Hub – later this year.
Powerlink and QIC look forward to continuing engagement with communities and stakeholders along the corridor as we work through this next stage of the project's delivery. This includes meeting with the North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils in May.
Powerlink and QIC will provide further updates in due course.
