Queensland Hydro's Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Project has ignited unprecedented opposition, with over 20,000 signatures collected between two petitions spearheaded by Michelle Landry and Save Eungella.
When compared to the total population of 484 people who live in the local communities of Eungella, Dalrymple Heights, Netherdale, Broken River, and Crediton (according to 2021 Census data), 20,000 people in opposition is monumental.
To put this into perspective, if we were to compare this to the population of Brisbane, the equivalent would equate to over 52 million people, more than double Australia’s entire population and over ten times that of Queensland.
It would make absolutely no sense to put a pumped hydro project in Brisbane, and that is exactly what locals thought when the Pioneer-Burdekin project was first announced to the media by the then Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
If a project in Brisbane had 52 million people opposed to it, it would be halted immediately.
Imagine living in Brisbane, knowing that you and everyone around you want nothing more than for this project to go away. Meanwhile, the project proponents hold community meetings spruiking fanciful legacy items, bully landowners, ignore traditional owners, and spend our tax paying dollars on deliberately misleading adverts about the project.
Rural Communities Deserve to be Heard
Queensland Hydro is counting on the small, rural communities of Eungella and the surrounding areas to stay quiet, hoping their limited resources and reduced ability to generate publicity will allow this project to go ahead unchallenged.
The voice of a person living in the bush should be valued just as much as a person living in the city.
Queenslanders and the rest of Australia need to know the truth: the numbers speak for themselves. The people living in these communities don't want this project, and many thousands more agree. This project shouldn't go ahead and dismissing such strong pushback from these communities is unjust, unfair and undemocratic.
Community meetings with Queensland Premier Steven Miles and Queensland Hydro have consistently conveyed one message: we don't want this project.
Residents have repeatedly told officials to go away, underscoring the unanimous local opposition. This consistent message, backed by overwhelming numbers, cannot and should not be ignored.
Why Eungella is Unique and Special
Eungella is not just any rural area; it is a unique and precious environment. Known as the platypus capital of the world, Eungella offers a rare glimpse into the natural habitat of these fascinating creatures, as well as over 30 other rare, endangered or endemic species.
The region's pristine rainforests, diverse ecosystems, and spring-fed waterways make it an ecological treasure.
Destroying this environment for a hydro project would be a tragedy not just for the local wildlife but for future generations who would be deprived of this natural wonder.
Eungella’s significance extends beyond its natural beauty. It represents a way of life for its residents, a commitment to preserving Australia's unique landscapes, and a resistance to environmentally destructive projects. The pushback against the hydro project is not just about preserving land; it's about protecting a community's heritage and the biodiversity that relies on it.
The overwhelming opposition to the Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Project, as evidenced by the 10,000+ signatures on multiple petitions, demonstrates a strong community and public commitment to preserving Eungella.
This level of dissent, when contextualised against the small population of the impacted areas, illustrates the powerful and widespread rejection of the project. It’s a call to action for policymakers and Queensland Hydro to reconsider the project's viability and respect the voices of those determined to protect their home and environment.