New pumped hydro sites explored, $2.8m campaign spruiks its merits

A $2.78million marketing splurge to sell the Borumba and Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro projects is one of a series of campaigns to platform Labor’s key election commitments before its self-­imposed advertising freeze begins.

Images from the Initial Statement Advice report into the proposed Borumba Dam pumped hydro plant. A $2.78million marketing splurge to sell the Gympie and Mackay pumped hydro projects is one of a series of campaigns to platform Labor’s key election commitments before its self-­imposed advertising freeze begins this month.

A $2.78million marketing splurge to sell the Gympie and Mackay pumped hydro projects is one of a series of campaigns to platform Labor’s key election commitments before its self-­imposed advertising freeze begins this month.

The Australian newspaper has reported this week that the government-owned power company Queensland Hydro had already spent $1.1m this financial year for an advertising campaign with another $1.28m allocated to spruik pumped hydro energy storage as the “key to our clean energy future”.

Labor was relying on the Borumba Dam and Pioneer-Burdekin proposed pumped hydro projects to enable the shutdown of five state-owned coal-fired power plants and meet its renewable and emission reduction targets, the report said.

“The projects are Labor’s largest election commitments, but both are waiting on key government approvals.

“No business case has been completed for the Pioneer-­Burdekin scheme, west of Mackay, while the $14.2bn Borumba project, near Gympie, is still undergoing a detailed environmental impact statement process.

“Sources have told The Australian that public servants have been working on finding alternative sites, with the Liberal National Party vowing to scrap Pioneer-Burdekin if it wins the election.”

No business case has been completed for the Pioneer-­Burdekin scheme, west of Mackay, while the $14.2bn Borumba project (pictured), near Gympie, is still undergoing a detailed environmental impact statement process.

LNP opposition leader David Crisafulli has declined to outright support the Borumba project, declaring in his budget reply speech it would be put under the microscope.

Community backlash about the planned path of high voltage transmission lines through Kilkivan to link Borumba to the power grid have helped lose it the support of the federal opposition, with Wide Bay LNP MP Llew O’Brien openly critical of the “parasite pylons” that will “invade” the region.

Nationals leader David Littleproud announced at a community meeting near Gympie in June Borumba would not be supported.

“We won’t support Eungella, and we won’t support (Borumba, if elected),” Mr Littleproud said.

“There will not be one federal dollar spent on (Borumba).”

Images from the Initial Statement Advice report into the proposed Borumba Dam pumped hydro plant. There were more than 40 alternative large-scale pumped hydro sites considered before the government selected Pioneer-Burdekin and Borumba. Picture: Queensland Hydro Study

Meanwhile, Qld Hydro has already bought 49 properties in the Mackay project area, a total combined area of 2000ha in private property.

Treasurer Cameron Dick ordered a freeze on government advertising from August as part of a bid to claw back $3billion in savings over the next four years.

The Australian has reported an analysis of Meta’s spending tracker revealed the Queensland government spent $73,000 on ads in the past month including to promote its crime plan, 50c public transport fares, energy rebates and pumped hydro.

It said the business case and final state government investment decision for Pioneer Burdekin – touted as the world’s biggest pumped hydro project – had been delayed until after the election with financial, engineering and environmental assessments still under way.

The project would require compulsory resumption of at least 50 cattle and cane properties, and could impact platypus habitat.

Initially priced at $12bn, Energy Department director-general Paul Martyn confirmed last week that Pioneer-Burdekin could cost up to $24billion.

The more advanced Borumba project, in the Mary River Basin, will flood 17km of potential habitat for the critically endangered white-throated snapping turtle and could destroy more than 1000ha of koala habitat, the Australian reported.

“Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek in December declared Borumba a “controlled ­action” – requiring thorough departmental scrutiny – under environmental protection legislation.

There were more than 40 alternative large-scale pumped hydro sites considered before the government selected Pioneer-Burdekin and Borumba. Picture: Queensland Hydro Study

“Senior Queensland Hydro executives were due to travel to the Borumba site this week to commence in-depth community consultation. “The project is expected to employ 2360 full time equivalents during construction and 30 FTEs when it is becomes operational.”

Borumba and Pioneer-Burdekin are critical to the state government’s legislated goal of reaching 80 per cent renewable energy by 2035 and slashing carbon emissions by 75 per cent.

Originally published as New pumped hydro sites explored, $2.8m campaign spruiks its merits