Major earthworks are underway for the new Flinders substation being developed south of Hughenden as part of the CopperString transmission project. 

Treasurer and Energy Minister David Janetzki said this was an important milestone, with the substation one of the first major pieces of CopperString infrastructure to move into construction. 

“We have workers on site, local businesses including Wieben Earthmoving and the Warwombie Road Quarry are winning work, and construction is well and truly underway,” he said. 

“CopperString is more than a transmission line – it’s an energy solution for the North and North West and the progress is real including the recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) for further development works for a new battery storage and wind farm to power Dugald River mine on the back of the $200 million North West Energy Fund. 

“The North West Minerals Province is one of the richest mineral producing regions in the world, potentially holding $700 billion in critical minerals and further unlocking opportunities will help deliver even more benefit for Queensland’s economy.”

Related: Energy fund puts wind in Dugald River project’s sails

Member for Traeger Robbie Katter said the government could herald the unlocking of mines with a media release announcing early earthworks for CopperString, but mines and investors were desperate to know the date, the year, even the decade when they would be able to access grid power supply in the North West minerals province.

“There’s not much point continuing to talk about this if you’re not going to offer a bankable date. Without a date, it simply becomes a slogan with no substance,” Mr Katter said.

“I hope the mines we already have now aren’t force to their knees paying some of the developed world’s highest industrial power prices before then, let alone supporting new mines.”

The State Government earmarked $3.2 billion in this year’s Budget for CopperString, while communities on the project route are also benefiting from a $50 million fund for priority housing, water and local infrastructure projects. 

Approved projects under the Community Benefits Fund include Cloncurry’s Scarr St revitalisation project and child care staff housing initiative, Richmond’s housing project, McKinlay’s Julia Creek essential workforce village, Townsville solar and battery energy storage systems and Charters Towers’ Water for Growth project. 

A proposed multi-dwelling housing development in Hughenden was also recently approved by the State Government.

Flinders Shire Council has secured $4.285 million from the Community Benefits Fund to deliver the project, which it described as a major boost to efforts to address the shire’s housing shortage and support future workforce growth.

“This is beyond exciting for our council and our community. Housing is one of the biggest constraints on our ability to grow,” Mayor Kate Peddle said.

Cr Peddle said the council would now test the market before determining the final configuration of the development.

“We want bang for buck. The $4.285 million is secured, but the final dwelling yield, design and delivery arrangements aren’t predetermined, and that’s important,” she said.

Cr Peddle said the announcement demonstrated the importance of ensuring major projects such as CopperString delivered measurable and lasting benefits to the communities supporting their development.

“CopperString is critically important to the future of North and North-West Queensland. Increased electricity supply and transmission capacity can help unlock new industry, investment and development across our region,” she said.

“But our position has always been that major development in our region must also deliver measurable community benefit.”

• This story was updated on September 30 to include comments from Mr Katter.