Borumba Dam: First look at $190m workers camp for $18bn hydro project

The first lot of workers on a proposed $18 billion pumped hydro plant at Borumba Dam are now staying on site with the opening of a temporary workers camp.

Up to 84 workers are now able to live on-site at the Borumba Pumped Hydro Project with construction of the initial temporary Rapid Deployment Camp (RDC) having been completed.

The first lot of workers on a proposed $18 billion pumped hydro plant at Borumba Dam are now staying on site with the opening of a temporary workers camp.

The opening of the Workers Top Rapid Deployment Camp marks the latest milestone in the state government’s efforts to transform Borumba Dam, about 30km south of Gympie, into a key piece of its renewable energy plan.

About 30 staff and contractors are reportedly living at the camp, which is capable of housing up to 84.

It is made up of 60 temporary buildings delivered to the site.

Plans are still underway for the construction of a larger temporary workers camp at the dam.

Up to 84 workers are now able to live on-site at the Borumba Pumped Hydro Project with construction of the initial temporary Rapid Deployment Camp having been completed.

It will be designed to house up to 336 employees and will include a gym, running track and laundry.

Design and construction of the two camps is expected to cost $190 million.

Queensland Hydro was forced to move the camp from its initial planned location after the discovery of naturally occurring asbestos near the dam in December 2024.

The camp’s opening comes amid ongoing questions about the future of the project, which has suffered cost blow outs and is still waiting for key environment approvals to be granted.

Queensland Hydro was forced to move the camp from its initial planned location after the discovery of naturally occurring asbestos near the dam in December 2024.

Queensland Hydro’s Executive General Manager of Delivery, Geoff Scott, said in a statement on the company’s website the milestone helped minimise the impact of the project on nearby communities.

“For remote projects, it is very important to be able to accommodate your workers near where they work,” Mr Scott said.

“Queensland Hydro has talked with and engaged with the community to ensure we understand local perspectives.

“We have considered these in our planning and we are actively seeking to reduce impacts on local housing and tourism accommodation and to reduce individual vehicle movements to our site where we can.”

Originally published as Borumba Dam: First look at $190m workers camp for $18bn hydro project