An ambitious project to connect northwest Queensland to the national electricity grid via a transmission line has received a boost from the Morrison government.
Visiting Cloncurry on Wednesday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced support of up to $11 million to help progress the CopperString project to final investment decision this year.
"Our support for CopperString is an investment in the future of Queensland that will bring power prices down, create 750 direct construction jobs and unlock the significant economic potential of the North West Minerals Province," Mr Morrison said.
The project, which has bipartisan support, has been the subject of state and federal election promises.
Resources Minister Keith Pitt said the mining sector was a significant driver of jobs.
"Affordable, reliable electricity is essential in driving downstream manufacturing and creating more local jobs," he said.
Proponents of the $1.7 billion project - which would involve about 740km of high voltage electricity transmission line - have lodged a draft environmental impact statement with the Queensland coordinator-general.
