Eungella resident Douglas Cannon ready to ‘fight’ against Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro

One Eungella beekeeper loves his land so much he will not sell up to make way for a giant renewable energy project and the government might have to lean on compulsory acquisition to get its way.

The state government could use compulsory acquisition to resume properties for its mammoth $12bn pumped hydro scheme and one Pioneer Valley resident has already suggested that is what it might take to get him off his land.

Douglas Cannon runs a beekeeping and breeding business with his wife Janine and daughter Violet at Dalrymple Heights and their property is in the firing line for reservoir B, one of two upper reservoirs that link up with a lower reservoir at Netherdale.

He loves his life in Eungella and says money cannot buy what his family has.

“It is more than what money can buy up here and that is not just my property, it is the area itself,” he said.

“There would always be unfinished work if we just let the project go ahead without us fighting back.”

(From left to right) Janine Cannon, Douglas Cannon and daughter Violet. The Cannon family runs a beekeeping and breeding business on a property at Dalrymple Heights, set to be resumed to make way for the giant $12bn pumped hydro scheme. Picture: Contributed

Mr Cannon said he was willing to lock himself onto his land to protect what he loves.

“It is worth protecting this region,” he said.

“And if that just means a small contribution from myself to make a stand, then yeah definitely.”

Mr Cannon said the Pioneer Valley community was now united in opposition to the project.

“It has got so many hurdles to get through yet,” he said.

“We as a community are completely united on it.”

Despite firm opposition in the valley, the government is committed to delivering the massive energy storage system, set to store and dispatch half of Queensland’s energy needs by 2035.

Speaking in Mackay this week, Energy Minister Mick de Brenni said there was a “very very high likelihood” the project would proceed.

Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert and Energy Minister Mick de Brenni in Mackay on October 19. Picture: Duncan Evans

“We are very confident,” he said.

“We have some important studies to do, geological studies.

“We think unless there is something that is very unlikely underground that we are not aware of, then the project will proceed.”

Queensland LNP Senator Matt Canavan met with residents this week at Finch Hatton and Eungella and called on the state government to rule out the use of compulsory acquisitions, arguing the mechanism was not used for the Shoalwater Bay project and should not be used here.

“Take away that sword hanging over the necks of people here and negotiate with people on a fair and reasonable basis if they need to acquire any land for the long term,” he said.

Queensland LNP Senator Matt Canavan meets with Pioneer Valley residents on October 19. Senator Canavan opposes the pumped hydro scheme. Picture: Contributed

A government spokesman said Queensland Hydro, the entity charged to lead the 5GW project, was working with landholders directly on tailored approaches that included voluntary and early acquisition and options for the future to meet their individual needs.

“Landholders will be compensated for legal fees and independent property valuations,” the spokesman said.

It is also understood compulsory acquisition is an option, though a last resort.

Under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971, the government can compulsorily resume land without a landowner’s agreement.

Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert also said nobody would be left “destitute” by the project.

“Everybody will be compensated, for their home, for their business, and nobody will be left destitute from the project,” she said.

“Change is always hard, it is always a bit confronting.

“When someone comes along and knocks on your door and says ‘the world is going to be different’.

“The people up in the Pioneer Valley need to have time to process the information and make decisions that are best for them and their families.”

Originally published as Eungella resident Douglas Cannon ready to ‘fight’ against Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro