Farmers rally against Labor’s secretive Borumba Pumped Hydro project

Farmers and families have rallied against Labor’s secretive plans for the Borumba Pumped
Hydro project, with fears it will destroy prime agricultural land, pristine rainforest and
animal habitat in the Kilkivan area.
The concerned locals met with Federal Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud and Wide
Bay MP Llew O’Brien, warning Labor’s hydro project could have devastating consequences.
It comes after Labor hid details about the project in this year’s Budget, with all costs from
2024 including forward estimates removed.
“Labor needs to explain what it is trying to hide when it comes to the future of the Kilkivan
area,” Mr Littleproud said.
“There is money in the Budget for this project that hasn’t been disclosed. The Nationals
have made it clear we will never spend any federal money on this project because we don’t
support it.”
Mr Littleproud added Labor’s reckless race to achieve 82 per cent renewables meant locals
were facing the enormous burden of having not just the Borumba Pumped Hydro, but also
transmission lines plus the Forest Wind Turbine Complex all in the one electorate forced
onto them.
“The Nationals wholeheartedly standby and support Wide Bay farmers and locals worried
about Labor destroying the very thing renewables are designed to protect – the
environment,” Mr Littleproud said.
“Queensland Hydro was also asked to submit an environmental report last year, detailing
how it will mitigate environmental concerns and protect water quality, but that still hasn’t
happened, despite site works continuing to go ahead. If the project is so good then why is everything being kept secret? Farmers and families just want common sense to prevail.”
Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien said Wide Bay was the battleground where local
property owners were standing up for their rights and rightfully demanding their voices be
heard.
“The Borumba Pumped Hydro and Forest Wind projects and their associated transmission
lines will threaten communities from the Fraser Coast to Gympie and through the South
Burnett, affecting private landholders, natural habitats and remnant vegetation, and
governments must listen to the voices of our community,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The Forest Wind project alone will span an area of forest that’s 65 kilometres by 30
kilometres in size, not to mention each turbine will have a concrete foundation of up to 30
metres long. Why would we rip up forest to lay down concrete? It’s paving paradise to put
up a ‘parking lot’ or worse, and just doesn’t make sense.”
Katy McCallum from the Kilkivan Action Group said the local community “completely
objected” to Labor’s plans.
“Our major concern is the destruction of our stunning district and irreparable damage to the
environment, where so much amazing flora and fauna live,” Mrs McCallum said.
“The Borumba Pumped Hydro project has not met its requirements under social licence and
locals in our area don’t want it.
“If the Forest Wind project goes ahead between Maryborough and Gympie, it will be the
biggest turbine complex to date, including up to 226 turbines, at more than 300 metres in
height, that will be seen from all over the region.