QLD Hydro CEO Chris Evans says Stephen Andrew petition full of false information on $12bn Pioneer-Burdekin scheme

Detail surrounding the massive $12bn pumped hydro scheme for the Pioneer Valley is scant, but the man leading the project says he knows enough about it to say some of the claims from a Mirani’s MP’s petition opposing the project are flatly false.

The man leading the Queensland Government’s proposed $12bn pumped hydro scheme west of Mackay has moved to dispel what he calls misinformation from a popular petition opposing the project.

Queensland Hydro CEO Chris Evans says Mirani MP Stephen Andrew’s e-petition, titled ‘No to the Pioneer-Burdekin Hydro Plant’, contains a number of errors from claims about potential noise hazards to flood risk.

For one thing, the petition says the project, which will generate 5GW of power through linking two upper reservoirs with a lower reservoir at Netherdale with tunnels and a power station, will “deforest and industrialise one of the most beautiful rural landscapes in Queensland,” but Mr Evans said the impact on Eungella National Park would be minimal.

“The reservoirs or inundation areas caused by lower and upper reservoirs are primarily on farming land, cattle grazing land, there are pockets of vegetation and we do have to do environmental studies to understand that, but it is certainly not having a direct impact on the national park,” he said.

“The tunnels and the power station are all underground, under the national park, and will not have a surface impact.”

Queensland Hydro CEO Chris Evans in Mackay on October 12. Picture: Duncan Evans

The petition states the project will require “an unsustainable amount of water to fill three massive new dams, with ongoing takes to replace evaporation losses,” but Mr Evans said this claim “was not right either”.

“There is some topping up that is required from evaporative losses but that is just a small amount of the rainfall we get in this region,” he said.

The petition also says the project poses “a flooding risk to communities in the lower valley and surrounding area.”

Mr Evans said the project would not add any additional flood risk to the valley.

“What you get downstream would be exactly the same with or without this scheme in place, with or without the lower reservoir in place,” he said.

A spokesman for Queensland Hydro added concerns surrounding the possibility of the lower reservoir dam wall failure would be at the forefront of all design work to ensure safety.

“If the Queensland Government decided that the project was to proceed, Queensland Hydro will use Australian and International experts with previous experience in these types of projects to design and construct the scheme, including the dam wall,” he said.

“We would also undertake expert peer review for the dam design which we would have to do.

“Queensland Hydro has an expert Technical Review Panel who will also review the dam design.

“Also there is a state dam safety regulator which has to approve the project before it proceeds and which has an ongoing role to ensure the safety of the dam.”

A map showing the three reservoirs and affected properties for the proposed Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro scheme. Picture: Queensland Hydro

The petition states the project poses “a significant risk to health and environment from the blasting needed to remove the top of Mt Dalrymple to construct upper dams.”

Mr Evans said this claim was “false”.

“We do need rock material to construct the dam, but we certainly won’t be taking it off the top of mount dalrymple,” he said.

The petition states the project would cause “ongoing noise and vibration from the mega-plant’s operational equipment and pumps.”

Mr Evans said this was “not correct” because of the underground position of the power station.

“The power station will be 700m below ground in granite rock,” he said.

“On the surface, you will not hear or feel anything.”

On two of the petition’s points, namely the impact of transmission lines on the valley and the impact of the project on “vulnerable species of flora and fauna”, Mr Evans said more work and study was required.

“We do have to look at the environmental impact of this project,” he said.

“There are pockets of native vegetation among the farmland that we have to do the surveys on to understand what is there and we will have to show measures to avoid, mitigate and offset those impacts if we are to get our environmental approvals through.”

It is understood Queensland Hydro will undertake 18 months of research to refine the project and determine its feasibility.

Mr Andrews’ petition, launched on October 4, has garnered more than 4000 signatures.

In response to Mr Evans’ criticisms, Mr Andrews defended his petition and said “there were so many questions” that had not been answered

“They do not know where they are putting them (transmission lines),” he said.

“How do you put a pumped hydro scheme that is going to power Queensland and you do not even know where you are putting your transmission lines?”

When pressed on Mr Evans’ claim the project would not have a direct impact on Eungella National Park, Mr Andrew said “everything” had an impact.

Mirani MP Stephen Andrew speaks to the gathering at Eungella Hall on October 4, 2022. Picture: Duncan Evans

“How can you say that?” he queried.

“That area is all clay, go and look at the structure and strata of the place, it slips all the time.

“And when you start boring holes it undermines everything that is there.

“The landscape definitely (will) have a certain impact from it (the project), it has got to.”

Mr Andrew also said flood risk and the prospect of a dam failure was a legitimate concern.

“What is the damage radius if that dam wall breaks?” he asked.

“No one can say it can or can’t (break), no one is to say it will or won’t.

“Stuff happens, I can’t picture every single scenario.”

Mr Andrews added he would meet with staff from Energy Minister Mick de Brenni to get a clearer understanding of the project and its effect on his constituents.

“I am going to sit down with the government, which employs Queensland Hydro,” he said.

“These guys (Queensland Hydro) have just been here since two Thursdays ago.”

Some residents in the Pioneer Valley have reacted with shock and anger to the announcement, championed by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk as the state’s “battery of the north”.

Douglas Cannon runs a beekeeping and breeding business with his family on a property at Dalrymple Heights and said he expected his land would be resumed to make way for reservoir B, one of the two upper reservoirs.

He said there was nowhere else his family wanted to go after moving to Eungella two years ago and dollar figures could not replace their dream.

Douglas Cannon with his daughter Violet at Eungella Cabin on October 4, 2022. Picture: Duncan Evans

“There is so much we have put into it, financially and with our passion and our lifestyle is building to this dream we have,” he said.

It is expected some 50 homes and 79 properties will need to be resumed to make way for the project.

A Facebook group opposing the scheme has gained more than 3000 followers since its formation during the same week as the project’s announcement.

Political support for the project has also split along party lines, with Federal Opposition leader Peter Dutton publicly trashing the project in Mackay last week.

“I think people see what the Premier has announced as not much more than a thought bubble,” he said.

“There are families in communities where there will be resumptions, that are really panicking now, they don’t know whether their future is secure, whether their house and property will be resumed, and the Premier seems to be able to provide no detail.”

In response to Mr Dutton’s comments, Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert wrote on Facebook it was “disappointing” the LNP had come out against the $12bn investment.

“Mackay will only grow with this project – with growth in jobs, apprenticeships and more business for our local businesses,” she said.

“The LNP is making it clear they won’t deliver this project – but our government will.”