Stephen Andrew anti-Pioneer Burdekin petition gets 6200 signatures

The state’s flagship $12bn renewable energy project has North Qlders up in arms. Now a newly-tabled petition has two MPs claiming the other is deliberately misleading the public.

A petition from One Nation Mirani MP Stephen Andrew opposing the state government’s massive $12bn pumped hydro project in the Pioneer Valley has fallen short of expectations with 6274 signatures.

Mr Andrew said he hoped his ‘No to the Pioneer-Burdekin Hydro-Plant’ petition would get 100,000 signatures.

“There is nowhere near enough of what I thought,” he said on April 3 before the closing date for the petition.

“I really start to wonder if the people really understand what this means for Queensland.

“I don’t think they do, it has been very well covered over, with the glossy stuff about net zero, how you are saving the planet.”

Mirani MP Stephen Andrew speaks to a gathering at Eungella Hall on October 4, 2022 about the proposed Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro scheme. Picture: Duncan Evans

Pioneer-Burdekin is a 5000MW renewable energy project booked for the Pioneer Valley west of Mackay.

If constructed, it would be the largest pumped hydro scheme in the world and would store and dispatch half of the state’s energy needs with renewable energy by 2035.

Some residents in the Pioneer Valley have reacted with fury to the proposal, incensed by expected property resumptions and what they see as the potential destruction of the natural landscape.

Mr Andrew shares in their anger.

“They say, ‘oh yeah, people voted for Labor, Labor are in, we’ll do what we want, because the people obviously trust us with doing whatever we want.’ No it doesn’t, it doesn’t mean to say that every government decision that is made is sanctioned and endorsed by the people because they voted for them at a point in time,” he said.

Some residents rallied against the project at Bluewater Quay in Mackay in February.

Rally organiser Leila Verban said it was the first step in a larger information campaign to drum up more opposition.

Mr Andrew spoke at the rally alongside One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts and Nationals Senator Matthew Canavan.

Queensland Hydro, the public entity charged with delivering the project, has disputed many of the claims listed in Mr Andrew’s petition.

Queensland Hydro CEO Chris Evans speaks at the Queensland Energy Club in Mackay on March 22, 2023. Picture: Contributed

For one thing, the petition states the project will cause “ongoing noise and vibration from the mega-plant’s operational equipment and pumps,” but Queensland Hydro CEO Chris Evans said this was incorrect.

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

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

Minister Mick de Brenni addressed the floor during parliament time on April 18. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

Energy Minister Mick de Brenni said the government would respond to the petition.

“As is required under Standing Orders, the relevant minister will respond to the petition within the appropriate time frame,” he said.

“Notwithstanding this, I am advised by the Department of Energy and Public Works that the petition contains a number of inaccuracies and the publishing of this petition only seeks to mislead Queenslanders.”

An 18-month feasibility investigation into the scheme is currently underway.

On April 6, Queensland Hydro released a tender for geotechnical drilling work.