Qld Hydro says Borumba Dam plan still on target for 2030 start

The government company planning to build a $14 billion renewable energy plant in the Mary Valley says the project is still on track.

Driving plans to build a controversial $14 billion renewable energy plant at Borumba Dam says the project is still on track, despite key environmental reports still not yet submitted to the federal Minister Tanya Plibersek’s department.

Queensland Hydro maintains an opening date of 2030 for a planned $14billion pumped hydro plant at Borumba Dam is still on track, despite key environmental reports still not yet submitted to the federal government.

A spokesman for the state government-owned entity said Friday it was finalising additional documentation requested by the federal Environment Department about its potential impacts on habitat and native species.

He said this information would provide “further details of our measures to avoid, minimise and mitigate impacts and provide beneficial outcomes for the local environment and community”.

The response follows confirmation from the Environment Department it was still awaiting the information requested back by Labor Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek in mid-2023 in relation to proposed exploratory works at the Mary Valley dam, about 35km south of Gympie.

Driving plans to build a controversial $14 billion renewable energy plant at Borumba Dam says the project is still on track, despite key environmental reports still not yet submitted to the federal Minister Tanya Plibersek’s department.

The public would then have the chance to give feedback on the draft assessment documentation, a department spokesman said.

“No approvals relevant to this project have been granted,” the spokesman said.

“In making her decision on whether the project will go ahead, the Minister will consider any public comments received, as well as any expert advice and departmental advice to determine whether the project’s potential impacts are acceptable under national environment law.”

The dam project is subject to two referrals for the exploratory work and the main proposal.

The Qld Hydro spokesman welcomed “robust and rigorous” assessment of the project.

“We are working to provide both state and federal governments comprehensive information to assist them in making the most informed decision possible for the Borumba Project,” he said.

The $14 billion Borumba Dam pumped hydro project has become a political pinata, as well as the centre of backlash from community members whose regions will be affected by the need to build about 70km of high voltage power lines.

Despite claims to the contrary, he said no delays were expected.

“Queensland Hydro continues to target first power in 2030,” the spokesman said.

“We are already engaging and collaborating with industry and our supply chain to ensure that once we receive regulatory approvals, we are able to commence the next stages of works.

“Our early engagement approach means that potential delivery partners can understand the scope and expectations of our works packages with sufficient lead time so they can also plan to meet our delivery schedule.”

The $14 billion project has become a lightning rod of controversy since its announcement in 2022.

Residents in the west of the region are fighting against plans to run about 70km of high voltage transmission lines across their properties as part of the infrastructure.

The lines are necessary to connect the dam to an electrical substation at Woolooga.

It has become a political pinata, too.

The federal LNP opposition announced it would refuse to provide any funding to the plan should it win government at the next election, while their state counterparts - fighting for election in October - plan to grill the proposal at the July estimates hearings having already outright rejected another pumped hydro proposal near Mackay.