CopperString

Overview

The CopperString project initially involves building 840 kilometres (km) of new electricity transmission line from Townsville to Mount Isa. It will connect Queensland’s North West Minerals Province to the National Electricity Market.

The project includes: 

• 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission line from Hughenden to near Townsville
• 30kV transmission line from Hughenden to Cloncurry
• 220kV transmission line from Cloncurry to Mount Isa
• substations and workforce accommodation and facilities in strategic locations along the corridor.  

Status

The Queensland Government announced in June 2025 that it will invest $2.4 billion in the State Budget for CopperString.

Powerlink and the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) are now working in partnership to deliver this important project and will prioritise work on the Eastern Link (Townsville to Hughenden). QIC are completing 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 value to Queenslanders, delivers economic benefits to North and North West Queensland, and best meets Queensland's power system requirements.

CopperString will be delivered through leveraging QIC’s infrastructure expertise and its ability to attract private sector investment, together with Powerlink’s transmission experience.  

Project delivery and early works

Since taking over the project in March 2023, Powerlink has progressed through the development and approvals stage. Work has included undertaking detailed design, advancing all project approvals, securing critical electrical equipment, and enhancing overall construction readiness. Sections of the transmission line design have also been modified to address constructability challenges at both ends of the project corridor.

In July 2024, the CopperString project team officially broke ground on the Hughenden Workforce Accommodation Facility (WAF).

Construction work has continued, with the WAF due for completion in the second half of 2025. In 2025/26, on-ground works will begin on the Flinders Substation, as part of the Hughenden Hub. Powerlink is also progressing environmental approvals for the Eastern Link prior to further construction work commencing. 

Suppliers

Powerlink is committed to providing genuine opportunities for industry participation and maximising the benefits that can be delivered through ethically, environmentally and socially responsible procurement. 

​We are continuing to progress further opportunities for local and Indigenous businesses to be involved in the CopperString supply chain.  

	55 works packages released and 2,996 EOIs received
	833 suppliers registered, 326 local and 682 have Queensland offices
	Indigenous business have submitted an EOI for 94% of all works packages released
	96 national and 44 local Indigenous business submitted interest

*Correct as at June 2025

There will be many opportunities to supply goods and services to CopperString. You can register your interest by:  

• ​filling out our online form to be added to the CopperString supplier register (preferred method) 
• ​contacting the UGL CPB Contractors JV via [email protected] or 1800 161 200
• ​contacting Powerlink via [email protected] or 1800 635 369  
• ​registering and creating a business profile on Industry Capability Network (ICN) Gateway

Having an up-to-date capability statement is an important part of registering your interest in providing goods and/or services to CopperString as it helps Powerlink to understand your business and what you can offer. 

Register your interest in supply opportunities

Awarded contracts

Project procurement is being undertaken by Powerlink and the UGL CPB Contractors JV. 

​Powerlink is responsible for the procurement of specialised transmission line componentry and electrical plant. 

​The UGL CPB Contractors JV is responsible for procuring suppliers and subcontractors for the project’s work packages and ensuring these packages are accessible to local industry. They will also procure smaller items and services directly while still following procurement procedures. 

Successful suppliers are encouraged to engage local and Indigenous suppliers as secondary subcontractors to support the local downstream supply chain.

CopperString tenders and work packages

Supplier Capability Development Program 

Powerlink is committed to providing genuine opportunities for local and Indigenous industry participation in the project supply chain.

The CopperString Supplier Capability Development Program is free of charge in line with Powerlink’s commitment to helping build local supplier capability in communities along the CopperString  corridor.

Launched in July 2024, the program includes workshops and one-on-one assistance at various locations. Workshops are open to businesses along the CopperString corridor.

The program helps local suppliers to:

• understand what major project buyers want from suppliers
• be more visible to buyers through quality capability statements and better information on supplier platforms (ICN Gateway and others)
• be compliant with major project requirements
• understand prequalification requirements for major projects and supply chains
• be prepared for tendering and contract management
• build confidence to bid on major project and supply chain work, and network and collaborate with other local suppliers.

The next round of workshops can be attended in person and will also be available online.

Workshop 2: ‘Be prepared for tendering’

• 15 July 2025 - Mount Isa
• 16 July 2025 - Cloncurry
• 17 July 2025 - Julia Creek.

CopperString 2032 Supplier Information Guide provides information about the project’s procurement process and supplier pathways for involvement. 

If you have questions or would like to know more, please contact your local project engagement representative, call 1800 635 369 or email [email protected].

For more information about the project's Australian Industry Participation Plan please contact Susannah Greenleaf, Manager Community and Stakeholders, by email [email protected] or calling 07 4796 5453.

Community and stakeholder engagement 

Powerlink is committed to ongoing genuine and timely engagement to ensure we deliver positive outcomes for landholders, local communities and other stakeholders where our transmission infrastructure is being developed.   

If you have any questions, please contact a local Community and Stakeholder Engagement team member via phone 1800 635 369 or email [email protected]. 

Share your views via our feedback form 

Where you’ll find us next 

The CopperString project team is always out engaging with the community and sharing news about this once in a generation project. Keep an eye on our project page and Powerlink’s social media channels to find out when we’ll be in your community.  

CopperString 2032 Local Community Sponsorships 

We offer local community sponsorship opportunities that provide funds, resources or services that in turn support our corporate reputation and strategic goals along the CopperString corridor. Our framework highlights that sponsorship applications should ideally align with one or more of our key focus areas: empowering communities, protecting and conserving the environment and supporting safety and wellbeing.

If you are interested in submitting a sponsorship request, please review our sponsorship application framework and complete our application form. 

Submit a sponsorship application

Community legacy 

CopperString offers a unique opportunity to invest in North and North West Queensland communities, creating long-term benefits aligned with our commitment to sustainable development.

Powerlink is developing a model to support the delivery of its community legacy investments across all seven Local Government Areas along the corridor which will be implemented over the next 10 years. 

The CopperString community legacy investment approach will support sustainable communities through projects or activities that align with the following two themes and focus areas.

Sustainable Communities – this includes the focus areas of community resilience, social capacity and the environment. Its objectives are to: 

• create sustainable communities
• enhance community and social capacity
• build resilience
• support communities facing vulnerable circumstances
• create a positive legacy
• protect the environment.

Economic Development – this includes the focus areas of local purchasing, skills and training, and employment. Its objectives are to: 

• assist in economic development
• build resilience
• support communities facing vulnerable circumstances
• create a positive legacy
• invest in skills
• grow our regions
• support jobs. 

Learn more about CopperString's legacy.

Indigenous engagement 

Powerlink acknowledges and respects the ongoing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to their traditional lands.

CopperString continues to work closely with Traditional Owner groups along the project corridor including the Bindal People, Birriah People, Jangga People, Gudjula People, Yirendali People, Wanamara People, Mitakoodi and Mayi Peoples, and Kalkadoon People.

Landholders 

Landholder engagement is an essential part of the project’s environmental approvals and delivery process. 

The CopperString project team is committed to engaging early, authentically and often with all landholders as the project progresses towards construction. 

Landholder engagement, including access negotiation and questions and concerns relating to project design, will continue to be undertaken via our dedicated Landholder Relations team.

All activities are undertaken in line with agreed property entry conditions and Powerlink’s Land Access Protocol.  

Our partners 

Powerlink is proud to be a member of all Chambers of Commerce along the CopperString corridor. We also work closely with advocacy and industry groups including Townsville Enterprise, MITEZ Economic Development and Regional Development Australia North and North West Queensland.

In 2024, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with James Cook University (JCU). This agreement with JCU will provide opportunities for local university students in the delivery of the CopperString project. Collaborative opportunities will include work-integrated learning, internships and research into renewable power systems and environmental and biodiversity impact and mitigation.

The CopperString project engages with nine Local Government Areas and includes the townships of Townsville, Ayr, Home Hill, Ingham, Charters Towers, Pentland, Hughenden, Richmond, Julia Creek, Cloncurry and Mount Isa. We continue to work closely with all Councils along the corridor to deliver CopperString. 

Planning and environment

Since Powerlink took responsibility for project delivery on behalf of the Queensland Government in March 2023, the project’s transmission line design and supporting infrastructure have been refined. 

Eastern Alignment 

Detailed design has been undertaken to confirm the most suitable location for the transmission line and supporting infrastructure.

In late 2023, a review was undertaken of the proposed transmission line and substation location from east of the Burdekin River to the proposed Mulgrave substation that identified significant constructability, access and environmental issues.

The alignment follows one of the most extreme sections of the Leichhardt Range where access is not currently possible. Heavy vehicle access is also very limited due to steep terrain and road constraints from the west as well as numerous irrigation channel crossings and narrow gravel roads.

Due to these significant constructability issues, in mid-2024 Powerlink advised landholders and other stakeholders it would assess alternative locations to the north towards the Flinders Highway for the transmission line and substation.

In late August 2024, Powerlink released a Recommended Corridor and Substation Site Selection Report, to landholders, Traditional Owner groups, community members and other stakeholders for feedback. The recommended corridor and substation location were reviewed in light of feedback received and changes were subsequently made to the location of the substation. The Recommended Corridor for the transmission line has now been accepted as the Final Corridor, within which the Transmission line will be located.

A full copy of the Final Corridor and Substation Selection Report (FCSSSR) is now available, along with a supporting Fact Sheet and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document. 

The project team will work with directly affected landholders, Traditional Owners and other stakeholders to undertake a range of environmental, heritage and constructability studies to determine a proposed easement alignment for the transmission line within the final corridor. It will also progress engagement and studies for the final substation site.

Environment approvals 

In September 2022, the Queensland Coordinator-General published an evaluation report on the project’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) determining the project could proceed, subject to conditions, and was referred to the Australian Government for approval.  

In November 2022, a delegate for the Australian Minister for the Environment and Water approved the ‘CopperString Transmission Line Project’ as a controlled action under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), subject to conditions.  

We are continuing to work alongside the Queensland and Australian governments to progress project approvals. At the same time, work is continuing on detailed engineering design, field and geotechnical investigations, cultural heritage and ecological surveys, community engagement and landholder consultation. 

Works regulation amendment 

Powerlink requested that the Coordinator-General recommend to the Minister for State Development and Infrastructure and Governor in Council that Hughenden, Richmond and Julia Creek workforce accommodation and facilities works proceed under a works regulations amendment. 

Under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (SDPWO Act), a works regulation may be made that directs a local body – which includes Government Owned Corporations such as Powerlink – and/or the Coordinator-General to undertake works.   

The works regulation was approved by the Governor in Council on 20 June 2024.  

Ministerial Infrastructure Designation 

CopperString was endorsed for the Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) assessment process on 20 May 2024. This process is managed by the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning with input from other government agencies.  

Core transmission infrastructure such as substations, communications huts and transmission lines, and supporting infrastructure such as workforce accommodation (excluding Hughenden, Richmond and Julia Creek) will be assessed through the MID process.

CopperString will be progressed through the submission of several MID applications to align with project sequencing.

Preliminary engagement has been undertaken with impacted landholders, communities, and other stakeholders at a whole-of-project level to ensure those with an interest in the project had an opportunity to provide initial feedback.

Following lodgement of each MID proposal, the Minister for Planning will initiate consultation by writing to relevant local governments and impacted landholders to invite submissions.

During this time, Powerlink will also undertake public consultation with landholders, community members and other key stakeholders to share project information and how to make a submission to the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning.