Queensland increases investment in CopperString

The Queensland Government has announced an increase in its commitment to CopperString by delivering an additional $3.2 billion investment for the project in the upcoming state Budget.

The state government has budgeted $420 million in funding in the 2026–27 Budget, as part of a total $3.2 billion investment to support construction activities for the Eastern Link as well as enabling works for the Western Link, including through the North West Energy Fund. The investment is an $800 million increase on last year’s Budget of $2.4 billion.

“The upcoming Budget strengthens the foundations we laid last year and continues our … commitment to CopperString,” Queensland Treasurer David Janetzki said. “Momentum is building with workers onsite at the Flinders Substation breaking ground right now, an exciting step forward as we deliver CopperString for the North and North West.”

Treasurer Janetzki said there was no time to waste in the critical minerals boom.

“We’ve invested $200 million in the North West Energy Fund to get energy solutions up and running while we build CopperString all the way from Townsville to Mount Isa,” he said. “The North West Minerals Province is one of the richest mineral producing regions in the world, potentially holding $700 billion in critical minerals.”

The North West Energy Fund is intended to enhance affordability and reliability of electricity supply in the North West Minerals Province and surrounding regions, including through gas, storage, and wind and solar projects.

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