General News
14 October, 2025
CopperString doubts with no plan for Hughenden-Mount Isa link
There is no timeframe for the Western Link that would connect Mount Isa and North West to the national grid.
Brisbane is likely to host the Olympic Games before Mount Isa is connected to the national energy grid, Treasurer and Energy Minister David Janetzki revealed on Friday.
The entire CopperString project was originally due to be completed by 2029, but now only the Hughenden to Townsville section, the “Eastern Link”, has a set timeframe.
Mr Janetzki said on Friday that the eastern section would be completed by 2032, but construction wouldn’t commence until 2028, pending federal government approvals.
The North West, excluding Hughenden, is still far from guaranteed to get the high voltage transmission line extended all the way to Mount Isa.
While the Crisafulli government says it is committed to finishing the job, it has created a mysterious $200 million “North West Energy Fund”.
The Treasurer said this would “support bespoke solution exploration at Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Julia Creek and Richmond”.
When North West Weekly asked Cloncurry mayor Greg Campbell and his Richmond counterpart John Wharton what “bespoke solution exploration” meant, neither was able to provide an answer.
This was despite being briefed directly by Mr Janetzki prior to the launch of the state government’s five-year Energy Roadmap.
Cr Campbell said he thought the $200 million might go towards helping Harmony come up with a temporary solution for its proposed Eva copper mine north of Cloncurry.
“Is that going to be enough to get Harmony started sooner rather than later?” the mayor pondered.
“It could fund a renewable project and storage that would essentially cover the core load of Cloncurry.
“But I dare say getting a solution for Harmony will be part of it.
“We want to see more than just a handout to get a foreign mining company going. We've seen that already and there's probably not a future in it.”
Cr Wharton said he was willing to take the Treasurer at his word that the Hughenden to Mount Isa “Western Link” would be completed, even without a set timeframe.
“I wasn't too concerned,” he said after being briefed by Mr Janetzki, along with the region’s other mayors.
“He gave a commitment to start west of Hughenden as soon as possible
“There is a lot on their plate – it was buggered up from the start.”
Mr Janetzki provided no additional details to the media regarding the Western Link or the $200 million North West Energy Fund.
In the actual roadmap document, it says: “In the immediate term, QIC (Queensland Investment Corporation) will work with generators, developers, investors, industry and communities to open up the North West with affordable and reliable energy – paying forward the benefits of CopperString to regional communities west of Hughenden to Mount Isa.
“The $200 million North West Energy Fund will support local generation and storage solutions – in partnership with the private sector – across Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Julia Creek and Richmond.
“This will deliver improved reliability and lower energy prices by increasing supply across those regions.”
The good news for taxpayers is that the Crisafulli government says it has already identified $2.1 billion in savings to deliver the project.
However, that includes downsizing the Eastern Link from 500KV to 330KV.
“We said we’d save CopperString, and we have. QIC has been out in the field talking to locals and looking at what’s needed for the region and all Queenslanders,” Mr Janetzki said.
“This fund, together with local generation and storage solutions, will ensure lower energy prices sooner for the North West.”
Flinders Shire Council appears to be the biggest winner from the new strategy.
CopperString will also be supported by an expanded $50 million community benefits fund for priority water and sewerage infrastructure in Hughenden, road maintenance and other council-led initiatives.
Early works will also start soon on the $225 million Flinders Substation.
Mayor Kate Peddle welcomed the commitment, describing it as a turning point for the region, saying it laid the foundations for Flinders’ future growth.
“This announcement is exceptional,” she said.
“It supports the people who will build this state-shaping project, and more importantly, positions our community to grow alongside it.
“We’ve experienced historic underinvestment in our core infrastructure, and it’s left us chasing our tails to get ready for this scale of opportunity.
“This announcement ensures council will now have the capacity to provide improved and reliable water and sewerage services – not only to our existing community, but to the expanded workforce that the CopperString project is generating.
“We did not want to miss the chance the CopperString project brings – we wanted to prepare, open our community to investment, and support the people who already call this place home.”
Cr Campbell said all eyes would now be on Harmony as it prepares to make an investment decision on the Eva project.
“We've seen the announcement for the smelter and refinery, which was great,” he said.
“The bulk of copper concentrate is coming from Cloncurry and that project (Eva) becomes critical in the next three years.
“I haven’t spoken to Harmony but if (CopperString) is not coming until 2032 or beyond, does that put a pause on their projects?
“Does that $200 million for the North West make a difference? Is that going to be enough to get Harmony started sooner rather than later?”