CannonBee, Platypus cafe owners speak against pumped hydro ‘benefits’

The Premier came to Mackay promoting pumped hydro as a big bonus to the region, but as contractors start to book out accommodation are the Eungella business owners really happy?

Eungella business owners speak out against the supposed benefits of pumped hydro to their community.

We asked five Eungella business owners their honest opinions on pumped hydro and their responses ranged from cautious optimism to outright rejection.
At a recent milestone in the ongoing saga of pumped hydro, Steven Miles stressed the benefits of the project to the region while a Mackay region business owner said some Eungella business owners loved the project.
However, Broken River Tourist centre and Platypus Lodge Restaurant and Cafe owner, Oskar Krobath believes the issue is more divisive than beneficial.
“It has divided us because people have different opinions and different agendas,” Mr Krobath said.
“It impacts my business but it’s great for businesses that have accommodation.

“They’re probably loving it.” 

Platypus Lodge Restaurant and Cafe owner Oskar Krobath with his grandchild Elaina at Broken River. Picture: Contributed

 While Mr Krobath’s tourism centre and restaurant relies on overnight visitors and day trippers during the weekend, he also sees a substantial number of international tourists visiting during the week.

“(Queensland Hydro) say they’re seeking to mitigate impacts on tourism by their use of local accommodation by only using rooms during the weekdays,” he said.

“We have a lot of Indonesian tourists at the moment and they don’t come in on weekends, just when it suits them.”

Matt Flohr recently moved to Eungella to open Eden farm and cafe with his family, and was loving life before pumped hydro was announced.

“The (concepts) look like two nice dams, but it doesn’t sound very nice when they talk about six foot chain link fences and it being a non-recreational area,” Mr Flohr said.

“It’ll just end up being a mining camp.”

Mr Flohr had been considering investing more money into his farm and cafe before the announcement, now anxiety over a 10+ year construction period and the likelihood of decreased tourist numbers has left him hesitant and concerned for the future.

“They say it will increase tourism, but I see it more like the mines in the Bowen Basin,” he said.

“You go and see them once for a sticky beak but won’t come back year after year.”

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, another Eungella business owner stressed the need to work with all parties.

“We’re trying to work with everybody so we can keep Eungella going as a tourism destination,” they said.

“We need to make sure that Eungella township can benefit from projects that are opening like the Finch Hatton Mountain Bike Trails and Pumped Hydro.”

Another anonymous business owner felt conflicted by the project saying how much they support and believe in green energy like pumped hydro but don’t want anyone to have to leave their homes.

Cannonbee Raw Honey is just some of the local products on offer at the Handmade Cottage and Co.

Owner of CannonBee honey Douglas Cannon said he reckoned there would be a cash injection to the area, but believes the people living in Eungella are there for the lifestyle it supports, rather than profit.

“For my business, we’re not here to make billions … we live here,” Mr Cannon said.

“We live in a small sustainable footprint, we care for our land and we try educate people to showcase its importance.”

Mr Cannon firmly believes that there will be benefits to local businesses in Mackay, but not necessarily to the Eungella community.

Mr Cannon feels while many businesses like Stephen Burts’ Twin Hills Engineering and Drilling may profit, the people of Eungella will be burdened.

“We’re looking at 2,000 to 3,000 workers coming to the region,” he said.
“That completely outnumbers the locals here.”

Mr Cannon and Mr Flohr both took a moment to express their support of renewables, but echoed the sentiments of the Save Eungella Committee.

“Is this the direction we want to take?” Mr Cannon asked.

“They say it’s got a 100 year life span,” Mr Flohr said.

“That’s a blip in our history.”

Are you a Eungella business owner that wants your voice heard? Reach me at [e-mail]