Properties bought for Pioneer-Burdekin project could be sold back, but price not clear

More than 50 properties bought up for a controversial mega pumped hydro project in the state’s north could be sold back to residents if the plan is scrapped, but the government-owned entity in-charge won’t say at what cost.

More than 50 properties bought up for a controversial mega pumped hydro project could be sold back to residents if the plan is scrapped, but the government-owned entity in-charge has declined to say at what cost.

It means taxpayers could be left on the hook in a repeat of Traverston Dam debacle, on top of fears the community may never recover as residents leave the area.

Property records revealed Queensland Hydro has bought up 56 properties for the Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro project at a total cost of $45.6m — more than half of the 80 properties it has flagged as needed west of Mackay.

The LNP has said it would not support the project if elected in October. Picture: Queensland Hydro Facebook

But the 5GW mega pumped hydro project could be sent to the scrap heap in 50 days, with the LNP vowing to ditch the Pioneer-Burdekin plan should it take government as the polls predict on October 26.

Queensland Hydro has told community members those who have sold their properties will be offered first dibs to buy it back if they choose in the event the project doesn’t proceed.

But the corporation has declined to say whether properties would be sold back at the price they bought it for or if other arrangements were in place.

“The details of arrangements between Queensland Hydro and individual landholders are private,” a Queensland Hydro spokesman said.

Resident Doug Cannon, whose Netherdale property is within the project’s footprint, said long-term community members had been leaving the area amid the property buy up with some moving to sell early due to fear they would get less for it if they delayed.

“There was a huge psychological battle that (those who sold) were put through to come to that position,” he said.

Mr Cannon, an apiarist and supporter of the Save Eungella group objecting to the project, said he was worried the exodus of families would mean the end of services.

Jarrod Bleijie accused the state government of trying to ‘hoodwink’ residents. Picture: Richard Walker

The state government struggled to offload the $500m worth of properties it bought up for Traveston Dam — the botched water project near the Mary River that was ultimately kyboshed by the federal government over environmental concerns in 2009.

Ultimately just half of the funds were clawed back.

Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie said the project was Labor’s “Traveston 2.0” and lashed the government for attempting to “hoodwink” the community on homes after failing to inform residents of the plan in the first place.

Premier Steven Miles in April apologised to Pioneer-Burdekin locals for the way affected property owners found out their homes were impacted when the project was announced in 2022.

A Queensland Hydro spokesman confirmed the project remained in the initial investigation phase and a detailed report would be handed to government by the end of 2024.

Originally published as Properties bought for Pioneer-Burdekin project could be sold back, but price not clear