Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro causes chaos at Mackay Conservation Group meet

The world’s biggest hydro project, to be built in Queensland, would see ‘dead platypus’ being pumped through the system, with the environment minister accused of declaring the project a done deal before its approval.

The first public info meeting on the Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro scheme got heated as a vocal opposition challenged the Environment Minister’s claim local residents support the project.

A public meeting to seek clarity over the world’s biggest pumped hydro project has descended into chaos as Energy Minister Mick de Brenni says the only thing standing in its way is environmental approval.

The state government’s “keystone” $12bn Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Project, which includes two upper reservoirs as well as a lower reservoir, is slated to be built in the hinterlands west of Mackay.

The 5GW scheme is creating fissures in the Mackay region despite Mr de Brenni claiming in parliament that the mammoth build had the support of “local residents” who “want to see energy independence”.

Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and Minister for Public Works and Procurement Mick de Brenni appearing at the Queensland Estimates hearings. Tuesday 8th August 2023 Picture David Clark

Mackay Conservation Group, whose members fought against Urannah Dam, hosted an information session where the group was confronted for not taking a stand, with drilling works already under way on the Pioneer-Burdekin PHES.

Peter Rosier, who is both a member of the project’s stakeholder reference group and of the MCG, ran the presentation and bore the brunt of the wrath.

Mr Rosier was asked if he had a “conscience” as remarks about dead platypus being pumped through the hydro system were levelled at him.

Mackay Conservation Group. Picture: Heidi Petith

Mirani MP Stephen Andrew made an unscheduled cameo from Canberra, tuning in via Zoom, during which he slammed Mr de Brenni for failing to have environmental approvals in place before speaking about the project as a done deal.

“It’s just been a cart before the horse type thing where people are being pushed out of their land without the correct checks and balances put in place,” Mr Andrew told this publication.

Mr Andrew echoed the criticism against MCG, saying they were not doing enough.

Stephen Andrew MP for Mirani. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / John Gass

Mr de Brenni, during Budget Estimates last week, said the project would “be operating in accordance” with the outlined schedule “subject, of course, to all those approvals occurring”.

The state government is currently tendering for three studies for the Pioneer-Burdekin PHES including: noise and vibration; greenhouse gases and climate change; and visual and landscape impacts.

The latter study will for the first time produce “preliminary photo montages” and “visual renderings” of the project to demonstrate what it will look like from “nearby viewpoints”.

Due to be completed mid next year, the studies will then inform a Detailed Analytical Report to be finished early next year.

A timeline for the Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Energy Storage provided to the stakeholder reference group. Picture: Contributed

Tender documents show the state government then hopes to receive approval for an environmental-impact statement by July 2026.

If approved, construction is expected to start on the project’s main works by September 2027, with stage 1 to be finished by 2032, and stage 2 to follow by 2035.

Condamine MP Pat Weir argued Mr de Brenni’s language signalled the pumped hydro project was “fait accompli”.

“Given the Treasurer is on the record as saying he is ‘absolutely confident’ this project will go ahead, does that mean environmental issues will be overridden by the government?” Mr Weir asked during Budget Estimates.

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

“Given the size and scale of this to the whole energy plan there is no business case, no feasibility study, no traditional owner consent, no environmental impact statement, no investment decision and still very little in the budget.

“How can Queenslanders be sure of this project and how can you be so sure it is going to proceed?”

Mr de Brenni said the 2023-24 budget had invested $1bn towards the project that “will literally change the nature of Australia’s economy to a clean economy” with contracts already rewarded.

Alligator Creek’s Twin Hills Engineering and Drilling secured a six-month geotechnical shallow drilling program tender and Water2Wire is completing the project’s Front-End Engineering and Design.