LNP Leader David Littleproud confirms Nationals opposition to Pioneer-Burdekin

The future of the world’s largest pumped hydro scheme will be decided by voters at the next federal election, with the Nationals now confirming they will cut off all support for the controversial renewable energy plan if elected.

Clear battlelines have been marked out on Queensland’s largest renewable energy project with the Nationals confirming they will block off any funding for the proposed $12bn Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro scheme west of Mackay if they win government at the next election.

Nationals leader David Littleproud toured the Pioneer Valley, the location of the proposed scheme, and said there was a place for renewable energy in Queensland, but “not here”.

“A future National Party government, part of the Coalition, will not cut that cheque for Annastacia Palaszczuk,” he said.

“We won’t be a part of this in any way shape or form.”

The massive cost of the 5GW scheme, which would store and dispatch half of the state’s energy needs with renewable energy if constructed, means it will likely require federal government money to come through.

Mr Littleproud’s blunt opposition matches Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, who trashed the project as a “pipedream” during a visit to the Sugarcity in October.

Nationals Leader David Littleproud (left) and Capricornia MP Michelle Landry (right) meet with Pioneer Valley landowner Douglas Cannon (centre). Picture: Contributed

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he supported the “visionary” project on a whirlwind tour to Mackay in January and said he “looked forward” to discussions with the state government about how he could help them deliver the scheme.

Some Pioneer Valley residents have reacted with fury to the project, enraged by expected property resumptions and what they see as the potential destruction of the natural world.

The federal political divide comes in the same week as a tussle at the state level between Mirani MP Stephen Andrew and Energy Minister Mick de Brenni.

Mr Andrew tabled a petition opposing the scheme with 6,200 signatures and responding to the petition on Friday, Mr de Brenni said Mr Andrew had misled Queenslanders on a range of issues including potential noise hazards and the possibility of removing the top of Mt Dalrymple to build the upper reservoirs of the project.

“Furthermore, the project does not propose infrastructure at Eungella, or in close proximity to the platypus habitat of Broken River,” he said.

Mr de Brenni said a decision on whether to proceed with the project would hang on the outcome of a set of social and environmental impact studies, due to be completed over the next 18 months.

Pioneer Burdekin forms a centrepiece of the state government’s planned “supergrid” of renewable energy infrastructure.

Mr de Brenni said the grid would power 100,000 new industrial jobs in hydrogen, renewables, manufacturing and critical minerals.