Powerlink ‘apologises’ for Borumba Dam communication problems

The team behind a proposed multibillion-dollar Borumba pumped hydro dam plan has admitted consultation on the power lines had not gone to plan, following intense backlash.

Residents potentially affected by the need to build about 50km of high voltage power lines through their backyards have been offered an apology over the handling of communication about the project.

The mea culpa been offered up in a new letter from Powerlink’s Borumba Pumped Hydro team to residents followed more than a week of public backlash to proposals around where power lines will run.

The proposed multibillion-dollar state government project planned at Borumba Dam will need to connect to the Woolooga, Halys and Tarong substations.

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It will require running high voltage lines across the Gympie and South Burnett regions.

However, in the latest letter sent to impacted residents, the group said there had been some shortfalls in the handling to date.

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Powerlink and its Borumba Pumped Hydro Team have apologised to potentially affected landholders over its consultation so far around a proposed high voltage transmission line route.

“We apologise for the way communication has been handled to date – we are keen to ensure information is shared in a more effective way from here,” the letter said.

It announces three new meetings in the Gympie region in early 2023.

In a statement on Tuesday, a Powerlink spokesman said it remained “committed to effective engagement with landholders and the wider community on the transmission connections”.

He reiterated there had been “no final decisions” on the locations of any lines and public engagement had started in December 2021.

“Since mid-2022, Powerlink has hosted more than 20 community information sessions, including eight over the past two weeks,” the spokesman said.

The proposed routes to potentially connect the Borumba Dam pumped hydro plant to the Woolooga substation have been met with backlash across the Gympie region.

“In October, we also established two stakeholder reference groups in the Gympie and South Burnett regions to work closely with community representatives.

“Powerlink will release a recommended corridor option in March 2023, again seeking community feedback before determining a final corridor in mid-2023.”

The announcement of new meetings follows extensive criticism from Widgee, Kilkivan and Southside residents over the proposed routes.

Powerlink has said the proposed recommended route of the controversial transmission lines will be released in March 2023, before another round of consultation.

Residents at Widgee and Kilkivan were alarmed at the level of public consultation, with claims some residents only discovered the plans the week before the meetings were scheduled.

Officials representing the dam were met with fierce opposition from residents at the meetings.

Powelrink’s latest letter restates “no decisions have been made” about the future location of the controversial transmission towers.

Meeting details for 2023

Tuesday, January 17

Widgee Community Complex, Widgee, 10am-1pm

Kilkivan Public Hall, Kilkivan, 3pm-6pm

Wednesday, January 18

The Pavilion, Southside, 10am-1pm

Amamoor Hall, Amamoor, 3pm-6pm

Tuesday, January 31

Imbil Memorial Hall, Imbil, 10am-1pm

Manumbar Hall, Manumbar, 3pm-6pm