The Queensland Government has launched the Community Benefits Fund to support the development of priority housing, water and local infrastructure projects along the CopperString corridor.
Related article: Work begins on Queensland’s CopperString 2032
The $50 million fund will provide critical “legacy projects” to communities in Queensland’s North and North-West.
Treasurer and Minister for Energy David Janetzki said the funds would support projects in Townsville, Charters Towers, Flinders Shire, Richmond, Julia Creek, Cloncurry, and Mount Isa.
As part of the fund, the delivery of $4.285 million in local infrastructure will support the $225 million Flinders Substation and Hughenden Hub projects, with an initial $1 million supporting detailed design and cost analysis for water and sewerage infrastructure.
Treasurer Janetzki said, “We included a record investment in this year’s Budget to ensure affordable, reliable and sustainable energy through the delivery of this project.
“This is real money to build the transmission line and real investment in the economic growth of our state.”
The state included a record $2.4 billion investment into the delivery of CopperString in this year’s Budget.
A $200 million North West Energy Fund has also been established, which aims to improve energy affordability and reliability for local communities surrounding Mt Isa, Cloncurry, Julia Creek and Richmond.
Related article: Qld Government commits to $2.4B CopperString funding
CopperString is a high-voltage electricity transmission line spanning Townsville to Mt Isa that will connect the state’s North-West Minerals Province to the national electricity grid.
