The concept of an aluminium industry in the state of Queensland, Australia began in 1957 when the Queensland Government and Comalco's predecessor signed an agreement giving the company the right to develop a large bauxite deposit discovered two years earlier at Weipa on the remote far North West coast of Cape York Peninsula by the company.

The economics of establishing a smelter improved dramatically after the discovery within Queensland of a number of new coal fields in the Bowen basin.

In 1972 Comalco entered into further agreements with the State giving the company the right to opt for blocks of power from a new powerstation to be built at Gladstone.

A local office was established in Gladstone to conduct site selection, environmental studies and infrastructure requirements.

It was not until 1978 that conditions improved sufficiently for Comalco to commit in principle to the establishment of the Boyne Island aluminium smelter.

Comalco staff was actively involved in planning services for the new community and much of this was commenced before construction of the smelter itself began in earnest.

By the time construction on the smelter site began, housing subdivisions were proceeding with new housing, (eventually nearly 500 homes) access roads, new bridges onto Boyne Island and another built to Tannum Sands, joining the two previous villages, water sewerage, power supplies and phones constructed.

Caravan parks and quarters surrounding a new recreation club with sporting facilities initially for the construction workers but eventually for community use were completed.

With the foregoing arrangements Comalco were able to achieve a start on its project some 18 months ahead of competitors with similar plans.

International inquiries were called and appointment of IBI made in June 1979, construction commenced on the plant in October 1979.