Qld Hydro removes equipment for scrapped Pioneer-Burdekin project
The final pieces of equipment for the dumped Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Project are being removed from the Pioneer Valley as Queensland Hydro begins the buyback process for the 57 properties.
Mackay
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The final pieces of equipment for the dumped Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Project are being removed from the Pioneer Valley as Queensland Hydro begins the buyback process for the resumed land.
The scrapped scheme was initially slated as a $12nb investment set to deliver between 700-950 job annually, but last month it was revealed the project cost would have blown out to an eye-watering $36.77bn.
Following a direction in early November from the newly minted Queensland Government to stop the project, Queensland Hydro transitioned to closure activities and no further investigative works were undertaken.
The move has involved removing all drill rigs and other equipment from sites within the former project investigation area while also removing environmental monitoring equipment and other associated infrastructure.
The final drill rig involved in geotechnical drilling activities was demobilised and removed from the Pioneer Valley region on Wednesday as closure activities forge ahead.
Placed near Boons Rd at Dalrymple Heights, it was the last of five drill rigs involved in collecting samples of underground rock conditions as part of the investigation works for the former pumped hydro project.
Pioneer-Burdekin Project Director Trish Auld said the sites were now being inspected to assess what remediation might be necessary.
“Queensland Hydro will be inspecting properties where temporary infrastructure was located to prepare plans and undertake remediation that meets industry best practice. This may require some local contractors and equipment to be on sites to complete that work,” Ms Auld said.
As part of the project Queensland Hydro bought 57 properties in the area and Ms Auld said maintenance like mowing and weed management of these sites was ongoing “so the land and properties are in good condition when it comes time to sell them”.
Queensland Hydro has also been developing the land buyback process that involved each previous owner being offered the first right to buy back their property.
The company confirmed it would divest all 57 property holdings over time and previous landholders would not pay more to buy back their property than what it was sold.
“We understand each previous owner and tenant will have unique circumstances and our approach will be to work fairly and reasonably with them,” Ms Auld said.
“We also agree with the government’s position that each former owner will get the first right to buy back their property, and if they elect to buy back, they will not pay more than what they sold it for.”
Ms Auld said the expression of interest process would start soon and she expected Queensland Hydro to be working with each of the previous owners over the coming months.
“We will ultimately sell all properties that were sold to us, and we will be doing this responsibly to minimise impact to the existing property market while also respecting the decisions of previous owners.”
The community can contact the Pioneer-Burdekin closure team via email at pioneer-burdekin@qldhydro.com.au or via phone on 1800 875 099.
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