North and Western Queensland

Health

Townsville University Hospital

Construction of a new clinical services building on the existing Townsville University Hospital site, focuses on planned surgical and sub-acute beds. This upgrade will deliver 143 extra beds by 2026, helping more people access the healthcare they need.

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Energy

CopperString 2032

The Powerlink-led CopperString 2032 project, formerly known as CopperString 2.0, initially involves building 840km of new electricity transmission line from just south of Townsville in the Burdekin region to Mount Isa that will connect Queensland’s North West Minerals Province (NWMP) to the National Electricity Market. Approximately 200km of additional transmission line will be required to connect new renewable generators to CopperString.

The North West Minerals Province contains one of the world’s richest deposits of critical minerals worth potentially an estimated $500 billion. Critical minerals are the essential components for production of emerging technologies such as electric vehicles, renewable energy products and storage and low-emission power sources.

CopperString 2032 will provide energy certainty to the burgeoning critical minerals sector, delivering reliable, affordable and renewable power to the people, businesses and communities in the region. It will also unlock the development of one of Australia’s largest renewable energy zones.

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Research & technology

Queensland Resources Common User Facility

The Queensland Resources Common User Facility in Townsville will support the mining, extraction and processing of critical minerals.

Located at the Cleveland Bay Industrial Park in Townsville, the facility will be a hub to trial production processes for commercialisation, enabling prospective miners to begin producing mineral samples at scale. With an initial focus on vanadium, the facility is intended to be operational in 2025.

The aim is to accelerate the development of commercial mining projects, promote investment in advanced mineral manufacturing opportunities and enable development of supply chain and supporting industries in Queensland, providing more jobs and economic opportunities for the region.

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Health

New aeromedical facility in Mount Isa

The new aeromedical facility in Mount Isa will bring together LifeFlight and the Royal Flying Doctor Service, allowing them to operate from a single location. This state-of-the-art facility will feature advanced amenities including a dedicated ambulance bay, patient transfer facilities and comprehensive engineering and maintenance spaces. This co-located base will boost emergency response capabilities, improve patient care and better support the growing demand for aeromedical services in Queensland.

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Transport and roads

Townsville Connection Road

The Townsville Connection Road project will alleviate congestion and reduce travel time for the thousands of vehicles that use the precinct daily. The upgrade includes expanding Stuart Drive to four lanes and introducing a new signaled intersection to replace the existing roundabout. Additional safety features, such as improved pathways and crossings, will further boost accessibility and convenience, making travel through the region smoother and more efficient for Queenslanders.

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Justice and safety

Kirwan replacement police facility

Stage One of the Kirwan police complex is already under construction, featuring a modern, purpose-built facility to house specialised Queensland Police Service (QPS) teams and relocate the existing Kirwan station. Stage Two plans are set to include a contemporary education and training center, including advanced classrooms, operational training spaces and physical testing areas. This new facility will enhance both recruitment training and operational efficiency, contributing to a safer and more secure environment for the region.