CopperString

Project overview

CopperString supports North and North West Queensland by delivering affordable, reliable and sustainable energy.

With the first stage of the project delivery set to be complete by 2032 (subject to approvals), CopperString will connect the region to the National Electricity Market (NEM), enabling new generation, firming, industrial development and economic growth. 

The project will be delivered in two sections:

The Eastern Link involves building just under 350 kilometres (km) of 330 kilovolt (kV) transmission line from Reid River near Townsville to Hughenden. This section of the project also includes the identification and construction of substation sites and workforce accommodation facilities (WAFs) near the project alignment.

When completed in 2032 (subject to approvals) this section of the transmission line will support a transfer capacity of 1.7 gigawatts (GW) - and 2.9 GW hosting capacity - to meet projected energy demand requirements over the medium to long term.

For the Western Link, a $200 million North West Energy Fund will be used to support local renewable energy generation, battery and microgrids to ensure regional energy reliability improves for communities including Richmond, Julia Creek, Cloncurry and Mount Isa. The fund will be used to partner with the private sector to invest in flexible firming solutions to reduce reliance on gas for baseload electricity consumption, while options to deliver the Western Link are developed.

Status

A new entity will be established by Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) to progress the development and delivery of the CopperString project. Under this approach, the QIC-managed entity will develop, deliver, own, operate and maintain the assets.

Through the project ownership transition phase, Powerlink has been tasked with continuing to deliver activities on the project's Eastern Link (Townsville to Hughenden), including securing easements, planning and environmental approvals and commencing preliminary works on the Flinders Substation.

QIC and Powerlink are committed to working collaboratively to support a smooth transition and are conscious of the need to keep stakeholders informed as things progress.

QIC and Powerlink will finalise work on a transition plan for the project with a focus on detailed design of the operating model and an implementation plan.

In the meantime, work will continue as planned on the range of design, development and early works activities already in progress.

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.  

It is anticipated core transmission infrastructure such as substations, communications huts and transmission lines 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 was undertaken with directly impacted landholders, Traditional Owners, 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 State Development, Infrastructure and 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.

Flinders Substation MID  

Powerlink is proposing to construct Flinders Substation 6km south of Hughenden on Kennedy Developmental Road. This includes the construction of a temporary concrete batching plant within the footprint of the substation and a new water bore adjacent to the substation.

On 4 August 2025, the Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning initiated public consultation by writing to Flinders Shire Council and impacted landholders to invite submissions on the Flinders Substation MID Proposal Report. 

Additionally, Powerlink consulted with directly impacted and neighbouring landholders, Yirendali Nation Traditional Owner group, the community and other stakeholders on this report. The public consultation period ended on Tuesday 9 September 2025.

The project team is now awaiting a decision from the Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning regarding the infrastructure designation request.

We will continue to keep landholders, Yirendali Nation representatives, the community and other stakeholders updated on the process.

An electronic copy of the Flinders Substation MID Proposal Report, Report Summary and Frequently Asked Questions is available on this page under ‘Resources’.

Project delivery and early works

Since March 2023, Powerlink has undertaken an enormous amount of work to progress the project to its current state and is now working collaboratively with QIC to enable ongoing project delivery.  

Work has included detailed design, advancing 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.

Hughenden WAF interim facility manager appointed 

The CopperString project team officially broke ground on the Hughenden Workforce Accommodation Facility (WAF) in July 2024, with construction and commissioning completed in November 2025. 

Sirrom Corporation Pty Ltd have now been appointed to manage the initial launch of Hughenden WAF including the delivery of a safe, secure and healthy environment for all personnel using the accommodation, and to manage the administration, medical and recreational facilities.

Once operational, Hughenden WAF will support workforce requirements for preliminary works at the Hughenden Hub.

On-the-ground works will commence at the $225 million Flinders Substation in 2025-26 (subject to approvals). This will feed new energy generation across the Flinders Shire into the Eastern Link of CopperString, connecting to the NEM.

The Eastern Link will be completed by 2032, subject to planning and environmental approvals required for construction commencement being finalised by 2028.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) – SITES FOR EASTERN LINK Workforce Accommodation Facility

Powerlink conducted an Expression of Interest (EOI) process between 22 September and 24 October 2025 to identify potential sites to locate multiple WAFs across the project’s Eastern Link between Reid River and Hughenden. These temporary WAFs will provide accommodation to house project personnel and are expected to be required for up to five years, including a period of 12 months for construction.

Multiple WAFs will be required to deliver the Eastern Link and may include accommodation facilities, health and wellbeing services, laundry facilities, car parking, workshops, and more. Further information can be found in our CopperString EOI Eastern Link WAF Sites FAQs. 

Submissions have now closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted an EOI. Powerlink has shortlisted the nominations and has commenced site inspections. Successful applicants will be advised as part of the final assessment process.

Suppliers

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

The project is continuing to progress further opportunities for local and Indigenous businesses to be involved in the CopperString supply chain.  

	55 works packages released and 3,065 EOIs received
	852 suppliers registered, 332 local and 696 have Queensland offices
	Indigenous businesses have submitted an EOI for 95% of all works packages released
	115 national and 55 local Indigenous businesses submitted interest

*Correct as at October 2025

To stay informed about procurement opportunities, we encourage you to:  

• ​register your business through our online form to be added to the CopperString supplier register. Registered suppliers also receive project updates via the CopperString newsletter
• ​contacting the project's Local Economic and Indigenous Participation team via  [email protected] or 1800 635 369
• registering and creating a business profile on Industry Capability Network (ICN) Gateway. 
• keep your capability statement current, as this helps us understand your business offering.

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

project procurement

Project procurement, including engaging suppliers and contractors to support project delivery is being undertaken by Powerlink.

​The UGL CPB Contractors JV undertook early procurement and construction activities, including works for the Hughenden Workforce Accommodation Facility (WAF). Powerlink is finalising construction of the facility to ensure it meets operational and workforce requirements for upcoming works.

CopperString tenders and work packages

Supplier Capability Development Program 

The project 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 the project’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.

CopperString 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 the project's Local Economic and Indigenous Participation team on 1800 635 369 or [email protected].

For more information about the project's Australian Industry Participation Plan please contact Sam Scandlyn, Local Economic Participation Specialist, by emailing [email protected] or calling 07 3898 4439.

Community and stakeholder engagement 

The project team 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 by calling 1800 635 369 or emailing [email protected]. 

Share your views via our feedback form 

Where you’ll find us next 

Keep an eye on this project page and Powerlink’s social media channels to find out when we’ll be in your local community.  

CopperString 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.

An expanded $50 million Community Benefits Fund announced by the Queensland Government will deliver critical projects to local communities including community infrastructure, and housing and accommodation, as well as economic and workforce development.

Indigenous engagement 

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

We recognise Traditional Owners have a significant landholding interest and are key stakeholders in our operations. 

Our priority is to ensure we avoid or minimise harm to Cultural Heritage when acquiring easements or land to build transmission assets.

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 Help Our Mob Everywhere (HOME), Townsville Enterprise, Mount Isa to Townsville Economic Development Zone (MITEZ), Regional Development Australia North and North West Queensland, and the Northern Projects Coordination Group run by North Queensland Regional Office of the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning.

In 2024, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with James Cook University (JCU). This agreement with JCU supports opportunities for local university students in the delivery of the CopperString. 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 including the townships of Townsville, Ayr, Home Hill, Ingham, Charters Towers, Pentland, Hughenden, Richmond, Julia Creek, Cloncurry and Mount Isa. We will continue to work closely with all local councils along the corridor to deliver CopperString. 

Planning and environment

Since the Queensland Government acquired CopperString in March 2023, Powerlink has refined the project’s transmission line design and supporting infrastructure.

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 considering feedback received and changes 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 available, along with a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document. 

The project team will continue to 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. The team is also progressing 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 

In 2024, Powerlink requested the Coordinator-General recommend to the then Minister for State Development and Infrastructure and Governor in Council that Hughenden, Richmond and Julia Creek WAF 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.