Pioneer Valley residents meet in Eungella to say ‘no’ to $12bn pumped hydro

Concern over the Premier’s proposed Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro scheme is mushrooming across the Pioneer Valley.

The Queensland Government has promised compensation for those set to be swamped by its giant pumped hydro scheme west of Mackay, but for some landholders, money cannot buy what they already have.

Douglas Cannon runs a beekeeping and breeding business with his family on a property at Dalrymple Heights and said he expected his land would be resumed to make way for reservoir B, one of two upper reservoirs in the Pioneer Valley that will link to a lower reservoir at Netherdale.

He said there was nowhere else his family wanted to go after moving to Eungella two years ago and dollar figures could not replicate their dream.

“There is so much we have put into it, financially and with our passion and our lifestyle is building to this dream we have,” he said.

Douglas Cannon with his daughter Violet at Eungella Cabin on October 4, 2022. Picture: Duncan Evans

“There is nowhere else we can have what we have got here.”

Mr Cannon and his family joined dozens of bewildered and angry Pioneer Valley residents at Eungella Hall on Tuesday morning to express their shock and disapproval.

Ian and Marilynne Wright run a property at 1175 Dalrymple Road and said they were “gobsmacked” by the announcement last week.

“I honestly thought it was someone having a joke,” Mrs Wright said.

The Wright also said their property meant more to them than just money.

“This is our legacy,” Mrs Wright said.

Ian and Marilynne Wright at Eungella Hall on October 4, 2022. Picture: Duncan Evans

“Our property is meant to be a legacy to our children.”

The Wrights have four children and nine grandchildren.

When they first moved to the property, they spent the first six months living in a tent because “there was nothing there”.

“Now we have a beautiful home, a beautiful property,” Mrs Wright said.

The Wrights said they had a call booked in with a representative from Queensland Hydro, the new entity set to lead the $12bn project, this afternoon.

The gathering was organised by the NO Hydro Save Netherdale/EungellaMt Dalrymple Facebook group and Leila Verban, a Netherdale property owner and the founder of the page, said her group had garnered more than 2000 followers since its beginning last Friday evening.

Leila Verban at Eungella Hall on October 4, 2022. Picture: Duncan Evans

“It (the group) is so people could also share their properties, that it is not just cane and cattle farms (that will be affected),” she said.

Mrs Verban expressed concern about the project’s impact on the environment, raising the possibility of flooding and affected waterways.

She said she supported renewable energy projects but “not at the sacrifice of the Australian habitat”.

Myles Jefferson, a Eungella resident, was blunt in his opposition.

Myles Jefferson at Eungella Hall on October 4, 2022. Picture: Duncan Evans

“We don’t want the environment destroyed by the industrial monster that is permeating the bush from civilised centres,” he said.

Peter Paynter and Sue Deboni live at 171 Snake Rd and said their property housed priceless fauna, including the ultra-rare Eungella Day Frog and Eungella Honeyeater bird, two species unique to the Eungella region.

Mr Paynter said he had considered building some accommodation for ornithologists but the announcement had put him “in limbo”.

Peter Paynter and Sue Deboni at Eungella Hall on October 4, 2022. Picture: Duncan Evans

Political figures also attended the meeting, including Mirani MP Stephen Andrew and Mackay councillor Martin Bella.

Mr Andrew expressed opposition to the project and said there were better alternatives.

“There is a big pile of water there between Dalrymple Bay and Hay Point, why don’t they put a big turbine, that water will never be used,” he said.

“There are alternatives, we should look at alternatives but we don’t have to destroy people to do this.”

Mirani MP Stephen Andrew speaks to the gathering at Eungella Hall on October 4, 2022. Picture: Duncan Evans

Tracie Newitt spoke on behalf of Capricornia MP Michelle Landry and said the federal member had been “blindsided” by the project.

“She knows nothing about it and she wants to remind every person here today that she is right alongside of you and she is there for you and she will do what she can to help you,” Ms Newitt said.

A more radical politics briefly entered the meeting when a man claimed all law and governments since 1973 were illegitimate and Australians were now run by a “corporation”.

Finch Hatton Progress Association president Bill Cross at Eungella Hall on October 4, 2022. Picture: Duncan Evans

“Every law they have created or amended does not have any jurisdiction,” he said.

In a Facebook post before the meeting, Finch Hatton Progress Association president Bill Cross said his group would maintain a neutral stance while it collected more information.

“While we are sympathetic to affected people, our position is that we will remain neutral in the for and against arguments,” he wrote.

“This is so we can represent the whole Upper Pioneer Valley Community, impartially, but we will support those who have genuine questions and require assistance.

Queensland Hydro is now in the process of speaking with landholders affected by the project.

Energy Minister Mick de Brenni has said the government would be respectful of landowners.

“The resumptions that are involved in this are not significant in terms of their numbers and they are commensurate with the other types of infrastructure… for example, significant road projects,” Mr de Brenni said.

Originally published as Pioneer Valley residents meet in Eungella to say ‘no’ to $12bn pumped hydro