- The Crisafulli Government’s 2026-27 Budget to deliver record $3.2 billion CopperString investment.
- Ground broken at Flinders Substation with early works progressing on Eastern Link after years of delays and billions of dollars in blowouts under the former Labor Government.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland’s future and a better lifestyle through a stronger economy after a decade of decline under Labor.
The Crisafulli Government has further strengthened its commitment to CopperString by delivering a record $3.2 billion investment for the project in the upcoming State Budget.
Works are also progressing after years of delays under the former Labor Government, with ground broken this week at the Flinders Substation near Hughenden, ahead of bulk earthworks commencing next month.
The Crisafulli 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.
This record investment is an $800 million increase on last year’s Budget of $2.4 billion which underpinned the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to ensuring the Eastern Link is completed by 2032.
In Townsville today, Treasurer and Energy Minister David Janetzki said despite blowouts of nearly $12 billion under the former Labor Government, the Crisafulli Government was delivering the biggest energy project in North Queensland’s history.
“The upcoming Budget strengthens the foundations we laid last year and continues our record commitment to CopperString,” Treasurer Janetzki said.’
“Momentum is building with workers on-site at the Flinders Substation breaking ground right now, an exciting step forward as we deliver CopperString for the North and North West.
“Communities along the corridor can have confidence this Government will deliver what it promised. We’re putting real money on the table and real construction on the ground.
“Under Labor, CopperString would have never seen the light of day and this Budget commitment provides ongoing certainty to regional communities, local councils and investors.”
Treasurer Janetzki said there was no time to waste in the critical minerals boom.
“That’s why 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. Further unlocking opportunities will help deliver even more benefit for Queensland’s economy.
“Strong feedback was received during market sounding for the North West Energy Fund and new energy generation and storage to service the Dugald River Mine is already being considered, alongside other proposals.
“CopperString is proof the Crisafulli Government backs regional Queensland with action, not slogans.”
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.
The Crisafulli Government is also delivering tangible benefits for communities with Councils prioritising housing, water and local infrastructure projects across the CopperString corridor as part of the $50 million Community Benefits Fund.
