Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Valley Families Face Uncertain Future

Pioneer Valley residents fear being forced from their land as the Queensland Government forges ahead with plans to build the world’s biggest pumped hydro.

Concerned residents were joined by Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry and Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud earlier this week, touring some of the properties that are set to be affected by the Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Scheme.

Netherdale residents Charlene and Joe bought their property three months before Queensland Premier Annastasia Palaszczuk’s announcement in September 2022 and now face the prospect of a 60m concrete dam wall being built on their property.

“We bought the place for its beauty and pristine environment,” said Charlene.

“We are really disgusted with how we’ve been treated as landowners.”

Nationals Support Pioneer Valley Families

With 79 properties expected to be affected by the Queensland Government’s pumped hydro scheme, Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said affected families were reaching breaking point.

“This is the third visit I’ve made to the Eungella community since the Premier made a flying visit to Mackay to announce Labor’s plan to inundate prime agriculture land and pristine rainforest,” Ms Landry said.

“I have met with families who have broken down in tears and asked me what they can do with their lives if they’re forced off their land.

“Many of the properties have been in their family for generations.

“It’s heartbreaking.”

An upper reservoir is planned be built in the Eungella area while at the bottom of the Eungella range, a 60-metre-high dam wall will be constructed to allow for the lower dam.

Solar and wind farms are planned for the lower area as well, with negotiations between the Queensland Government and affected landholders beginning last year to discuss terms of property access to conduct studies as well as initiating negotiations for property resumption and compulsory acquisition.

“This is a process that we take seriously, of course, and we want to be respectful of those landowners,” Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said.

“We’ve researched around 1,000 sites across the state and this one stacks up as simply the best pumped hydroelectric opportunity anywhere in Queensland, in fact, it represents one of the best opportunities in the world.

“Most importantly, this project delivers us a significant economic opportunity for north Queensland.”

Mr Littleproud said the community felt helpless.

“Labor’s ideology doesn’t match the practical reality and sadly it’s at the expense of Eungella locals,” Mr Littleproud said.

“It is senseless to destroy prime agriculture land and rainforest in this special part of Queensland.

“I urge Labor to listen to locals and to scrutinise this project properly before it’s too late.

“There is a place for renewables, but it is not here.”

Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud and Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry visited Netherdale residents Charlene and Joe. Photo supplied: Office of The Hon David Littleproud MP

Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud toured Eungella earlier this week. Photo supplied: Office of The Hon David Littleproud MP

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