QLD Hydro reveal the size of their Pioneer Valley reservoir

Queensland Hydro revealed for the first time the scale of the world’s largest pumped hydro operation, but does the project have a shelf life beyond the October elections? DETAILS.

Project Director for the Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro project Trish Auld has revealed the size of the lower reservoir.

Mere weeks after Premier Steven Miles subjected himself to the fury of a Mackay region community, where he and his Queensland Hydro counterparts could reveal very little information, some facts have finally come to light about the scale of the proposed Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Project.

Trish Auld, Queensland Hydro’s Pioneer-Burdekin Project Director, revealed that the lower reservoir would be roughly the size of 100,000 Olympic swimming pools.

“It’s around 450 hectares in area and it can hold up to 100 gigalitres,” Ms Auld said.

“That’s actually not too different to some of the reservoirs that you have within your local area.”

Ms Auld indicated that the lower reservoir, situated in the Netherdale area, would be half the size of Kinchant Dam and 400 hectares smaller than Eungella Dam which holds 12 gigalitres less than the proposed lower reservoir.

“In terms of footprint, it’s actually about half the size,” she said.

The lower reservoir is planned for the Netherdale area and will be developed over freehold land already cleared for cane farming and logging.

Ms Auld also added that the land the lower reservoir will be developed on is freehold land which had previously been used for cane farming and logging purposes.

“There’s an awful lot of environmental studies that we do,” she said.

Following up on the Premier’s apology for the ‘mishandling’ of communication regarding the project, Queensland Hydro have started holding stakeholder reference meetings every two months.

“We’re also working with impacted individuals on a one-on-one basis to understand where they’re at,” she said.

However, regardless of community involvement or the perceived “small footprint” of the project, Pumped Hydro could be on the chopping block if current trends continue.

When asked if the project would be in danger of cancellation if the LNP seized power in October Trish Auld said that she expected the project to be challenged by “both sides.”

“I think there’s a very compelling case from the QLD Hydro perspective on why the Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro project is essential for Queensland’s future.”

“There is bipartisan support for a reduction in emissions … and this project has substantial potential to help in that journey.”

When asked if any LNP members had so far offered their support to the project Ms Auld responded “not that I am aware of”.

We have reached out to the LNP for comment.

The new information from Queensland Hydro marks the beginning of a campaign to improve their communication and “get the truth out there”.

“It really is about listening and working together.”