Mayor John Wharton says improved connectivity will help small businesses grow and attract people to the region who may be struggling with cost-of-living pressures in bigger cities.

The mayor recently met with the Minister for Energy and Clean Economy Jobs Mick de Brenni who travelled along the Flinders Highway between Townsville and Mt Isa.

The Minister is overseeing a $5 billion Powerlink-led project to connect Queensland’s North West Minerals Province to the national electricity grid via a high-voltage electricity transmission line.

Fibre optic cables strung along the transmission line will improve digital connectivity for residents wanting improved access for education, telehealth and running their businesses.