The state government said the release of the final terms of reference for an environmental impact statement was an important approval milestone for the proposed $1.5 billion CopperString project.
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The 36-page document sets out requirements such as biosecurity, land. flora and fauna, water and waste management, proponents CuString need to meet and the milestone allows them to start working on a draft EIS for public consultation.
CuString plan to build a 1100-kilometre high voltage overhead electricity transmission line connecting the North West Minerals Province and Mount Isa to the National Electricity Market grid south of Townsville.
Minister for State Development Cameron Dick said CuString aims to provide reliable electricity and an alternative supply to the North West.
"The project could create up to 400 full-time jobs during its three-and-a-half-year construction phase and support around 30 full-time jobs once fully operational," Mr Dick said.
"The optical fibre network capability of the project would also help to enhance mobile phone and internet services in our state's north and north-west."
Mr Dick said the terms of reference would ensure potential impacts on the natural, social and economic environment are appropriately considered.
"CuString will now prepare a draft EIS, and once that satisfies Queensland's independent Coordinator-General the community will have another opportunity to have their say on the project," he said.
Additional scoping has increased the project outlay from $1 billion to $1.5 billion and was recently boosted with a $1.18 million state grant the North West Queensland Economic Diversification Strategy.
CuString's John O'Brien said it would be a key piece of common-user infrastructure for reliable electricity to underpin the region's future development.
Subject to approvals, CuString proposes to commence the first stage of construction, building a 720-kilometre overhead powerline from Woodstock, south of Townsville, to the Chumvale Substation near Cloncurry by the end of 2020, with operations beginning by the end of 2022.
CuString then proposes to extend the line from the Chumvale Substation to Mount Isa and south to the Phosphate Hill Power Station and Cannington Mine as early as 2024, subject to demand.
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
