Qld Hydro reveals asbestos found near planned Borumba Dam worker site

The location of a proposed temporary workers’ camp for a major Queensland government renewable energy project needs to be moved after the discovery of naturally occurring asbestos in the area.

The location of a proposed temporary workers camp for the planned multibillion-dollar Borumba Dam pumped hydro plant needs to be moved after the discovery of naturally occurring asbestos in the area.

The location of a proposed temporary workers camp for the planned multibillion-dollar Borumba Dam pumped hydro plant needs to be moved after the discovery of naturally occurring asbestos in the area.

Queensland Hydro confirmed in a statement Thursday the toxic material was identified during ground testing at the site of the controversial project, proposed to be built about 30km southwest of Gympie.

The asbestos fibre was located in October in rocks west of the popular dam, and the proposed location of the Borgan Camp.

In a statement Thursday a Queensland Hydro spokesman said it was “currently assessing options to relocate the Borgan Road temporary workers’ camp within the existing project footprint”.

As a result of the findings, “Queensland Hydro has stopped works in that area, communicated with staff and contractors, isolated the area and arranged for qualified contractors to conduct testing of the material”.

Images from the Initial Statement Advice report into the proposed Borumba Dam pumped hydro plant.

“No staff members were placed at risk,” the spokesman said.

“It is important to note … no temporary worker camps have been built at this location.

“As a result, no staff or contractors are living onsite at this or nearby locations.”

The spokesman said preliminary studies of the area early on identified there was the potential for the material to be found at the site.

A source said the relocation of a workers’ camp, if needed, would not cause any delays to the project.

The identification of naturally occurring asbestos is different from manufactured asbestos being found in buildings.

Queensland Hydro confirmed in a statement Thursday the toxic material was identified during ground testing at the site of the controversial project, proposed to be built about 30km southwest of Gympie. Picture: Christine Schindler

The Borgan Camp is proposed to be able to house almost 340 workers.

Planning and construction of the camps took a major step forward in September 2024 when company Decmil was awarded a $111m contract for the facilities.

The Borumba Dam project is the state government’s lone remaining large-scale renewable project following the cancellation of the Pioneer-Burdekin project in Queensland’s north due to its cost.

The Borumba project’s cost has itself come under closer scrutiny following revelations it had blown out from an expected $14.2bn to more than $18.4bn.

Delays have also been revealed in the project’s time frame, with an initial operating date of 2032 reportedly now pushed back to 2033.

The project has also faced questions from environmental groups over approvals needed for the hydro plant to proceed.