For the communities affected by the Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Project, transparency and accountability from Queensland Hydro are more than just buzzwords—they are essential safeguards that ensure the voices and concerns of locals are heard. However, recent revelations show that Queensland Hydro has repeatedly failed to meet its own commitments, violating transparency obligations outlined in the Pioneer-Burdekin Stakeholder Reference Group (SRG) Terms of Reference (ToR).
Repeated Failures to Meet Transparency Commitments
One of the most glaring issues is Queensland Hydro's ongoing failure to publish SRG meeting minutes within the timeframe stipulated in the ToR. The ToR clearly state that final minutes are to be uploaded within two weeks of the meeting. Despite this, Queensland Hydro has consistently delayed the release of these minutes, sometimes taking up to 35 days. This is not a one-off occurrence but part of a pattern of non-compliance that raises significant concerns about Queensland Hydro's ability—or willingness—to adhere to its own rules.
This lack of timely communication is not a minor administrative oversight; it is a breach of protocol that prevents community members from accessing critical information. These minutes are essential for understanding the discussions and decisions being made that directly impact the local community and environment. By delaying their release, Queensland Hydro is obstructing the community’s ability to participate meaningfully in the consultation process.
The Government’s Failure to Hold Queensland Hydro Accountable
Equally concerning is the Queensland Government’s apparent reluctance to hold Queensland Hydro accountable for these repeated failures. Despite numerous complaints and reminders sent by Save Eungella and other concerned parties, there has been no visible action taken to correct Queensland Hydro’s behaviour. Ministers and local representatives have been notified of these delays, yet there has been a deafening silence from those who are meant to oversee the project and ensure that transparency protocols are enforced.
This raises the question: if Queensland Hydro cannot even follow its own guidelines for something as basic as publishing meeting minutes, how can the community trust them to manage a multi-billion-dollar hydro project that will have long-lasting social and environmental impacts? The lack of accountability suggests a systemic failure within the Queensland Government, which has so far shown no interest in ensuring that Queensland Hydro upholds its commitments.
The Impact on the Community: Eroding Trust and Engagement
For the communities of the Upper Pioneer Valley, this lack of transparency has had a profound effect. When government entities and project proponents like Queensland Hydro fail to provide information on time, it erodes trust and undermines the community’s ability to participate fully in the consultation process. How can residents engage effectively when they are left in the dark, denied access to the very information they need to make informed decisions?
This situation is further exacerbated by the absence of accountability mechanisms. The community is left with no choice but to question whether Queensland Hydro’s non-compliance is a deliberate attempt to control the narrative and minimise public scrutiny. After all, if Queensland Hydro were committed to transparency, they would not need to be reminded repeatedly to publish meeting minutes. Instead, they would be proactively providing information and ensuring the community’s concerns are addressed.
A Disturbing Trend: Lessons Not Learned from Past Failures
The pattern of behaviour exhibited by Queensland Hydro is reminiscent of past projects where similar failures in transparency and oversight led to disastrous outcomes. For instance, the issues with Paradise Dam demonstrate what can happen when projects are rushed, communication is poor, and those responsible are not held to account. The Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Project bears worrying similarities, with community engagement being minimal and transparency commitments not being honoured. If the Queensland Government and Queensland Hydro cannot ensure that protocols are followed now, what hope is there for effective management of the project in the future?
Moving Forward: Demanding Accountability and Action
It is imperative that the Queensland Government steps in to enforce compliance and hold Queensland Hydro accountable for their repeated failures. Save Eungella and other community representatives have done their part in raising these issues, but the responsibility now lies with the government to act. Without immediate intervention, Queensland Hydro’s pattern of non-compliance will only deepen community distrust and make it harder for genuine consultation and collaboration to occur.
The Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Project is poised to have far-reaching impacts on the people and environment of the Upper Pioneer Valley. The least Queensland Hydro and the Queensland Government can do is ensure that the community is kept informed and engaged in the decision-making process. Anything less is a betrayal of the public’s trust and a failure of leadership.