Within this region is one of the world's richest mineral producing areas containing copper, lead and zinc as well as major silver and phosphate deposits and strong rare earth potential.

To unlock these resources, we need to ensure we have the infrastructure to develop and deliver these resources from mine to port.

Infrastructure to deliver electricity, affordably and reliably, to the big energy demands of these resource projects is critical.

Therefore, the announcement by Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor of $4.7 million for the feasibility of the proposed CopperString 2.0 high-voltage electricity transmission line connecting the North West Minerals Province to the National Electricity Market near Townsville is so important.

I am pleased to be chairman of a regional reference group to ensure important infrastructure will be delivered for the benefit of everyone between Townsville and Mount Isa.

Successive Federal Governments - Labor and Coalition - have offered support for CopperString 2.0 project and its time has come - the world wants the minerals we have in the North West and the costs of developing clean energy projects to power these resources businesses are coming down the cost curve.

The Townsville to Mount Isa export supply chain has driven generations of employment and prosperity right across northern Queensland.

Building the right sort of infrastructure such as CopperString 2.0 can deliver another 50 years of prosperity.

There will be plenty of issues for political parties and candidates to argue about at the Federal election.

CopperString 2.0 is not one of those issues.

The Honourable Tony McGrady AM

Chairman

North Queensland Sustainable Resources Corridor Regional Reference Group

Am disappointed in your editorial comments ("Bradfield scheme would be a calamitous folly", Sep 4, 2018) regarding the Bradford Scheme.

I realise the enormous cost of such a scheme and also appreciate that the scheme in its entirety could and should be adjusted to achieve a better income but its not a plan that should be ignored.

The Snowy scheme was completed when I was but a pup with equipment available at the time, don't tell me with tunnel borers and heavy excavation equipment of today that it couldn't be done.

We all should stand behind a plan to improve the retention and diversion of water to the western side of the ranges to ensure that our our country continues to excel in primary production and drought proof our inland towns.

Steve Hill,

Gympie

Re the latest update from Queensland Rail re work on the Mount Isa line

Monica Thomas Well done QR - hopefully not much longer before ore's again railed. In 40 years of driving the Barkly and Flinders highways, I've never seen as many road trains as I did on Friday. They were especially dense between Isa and Julia Creek and shoulders on parts of that 'highway' aren't the best for getting over and giving extra space.

Re the $2.4m infrastructure boost for North West Queensland

Tania Constantinou Patch up jobs again! I wonder if they can improve on the lumps/bumps they made last time they tried fixing the road!!!