The Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Project has been a source of deep concern and frustration for the local communities of the Mackay region since its shock announcement. In a move that continues to haunt residents, the Queensland Government revealed the project's plans to the media before consulting or even informing the people whose lives it would drastically impact. This failure to engage early on set the stage for a series of missteps and broken promises, leaving the community feeling betrayed and ignored.
Ignoring the Community's Voice
From the very beginning, consultation sessions with the community felt like empty exercises rather than genuine attempts to address concerns. Residents have consistently raised alarms about the destruction of local environments, the disruption of social cohesion, and the long-term effects on their way of life. But their voices have largely fallen on deaf ears. Despite attending multiple consultation sessions, locals feel that their concerns were brushed aside, with officials more focused on moving the project forward rather than mitigating the social damage it was causing.
Bullying and Coercion Behind Closed Doors
It’s not just the public consultations that have left the community feeling powerless. Behind closed doors, landowners have faced mounting pressure to accept acquisition deals, with some feeling coerced into making decisions under the threat that worse terms could follow if they didn't comply. Landowners were never given the chance to make informed decisions on their own terms as advocacy and land rights information was miscommunicated mismanaged. This kind of pressure has severely eroded trust between the community and Queensland Hydro, turning what could have been a collaborative process into one of fear and resentment.
Deception in the Media and Advertisements
In a blatant attempt to reassure the public, figures like Mick de Brenni have made bold claims, such as "no platypus in the Eungella region will be impacted" by the Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Project. However, these assurances are not based on scientific fact and grossly mislead the public. Leaders who make these statements seem to have little understanding of the actual ecological risks involved, spreading false narratives that downplay the very real environmental consequences. The public is being fed empty promises by those who either don’t grasp or choose to ignore the lasting damage the project is likely to cause.
Queensland Hydro has repeatedly presented a polished, sanitised version of the project to the public, omitting key details about the negative impacts on local communities. Public relations campaigns, including advertisements, have been misleading, with the company backtracking on promises within hours. For example, Queensland Hydro changed its stance on public access to certain project areas, giving locals whiplash as they watched the narrative shift overnight. These contradictions only deepen the community’s distrust.
Furthermore, Queensland Hydro has consistently misrepresented the project's benefits, with advertisements omitting the significant environmental and social costs involved. The gap between what the public is being told and what the community is actually experiencing on the ground is stark, leaving locals to wonder if anyone outside their region truly understands the reality of what’s happening.
Mismanagement and Disregard Continue
Most troubling is that the cycle of mismanagement and disregard for the community seems set to continue. The patterns of deception, poor communication, and lack of transparency are not isolated incidents but are part of a broader trend. Residents are left to fend for themselves in the face of a bureaucracy that seems intent on pushing forward regardless of the cost to the people who call this region home.
Pirate Flags on Queensland Hydro Drilling Rigs
One particularly unsettling incident highlighted the disconnect between Queensland Hydro and the community. Queensland Hydro drilling rigs in the Eungella area were seen flying pirate flags—symbols that locals perceived as mocking their plight. For a community already feeling marginalised and disrespected, the sight of these flags was a stark reminder of how Queensland Hydro's actions are being seen as cavalier and dismissive of local concerns. What might have seemed like a harmless act of humour from a distance was received as a cruel taunt by those who are directly affected by the project’s invasive presence.
Local Leaders Failing the Community
Unfortunately, the betrayal hasn’t only come from Queensland Hydro. Local leaders who should be advocating for their communities have instead adopted dismissive and disconnected stances. This has left many residents feeling abandoned by their own representatives. Instead of rallying behind the community and defending its interests, these leaders have often supported the project without taking the time to understand its social consequences, further deepening the wedge between the government and the people.
Emotional and Social Trauma
Beyond the immediate concerns about land acquisition and environmental degradation, the project has taken a deep emotional toll on the community. Families who have lived in this region for generations are grappling with the uncertainty of their future. Local wildlife, once a source of pride and joy for residents, has become collateral damage in the face of Queensland Hydro’s actions. One particularly traumatic incident involved a near miss where platypus were put at risk due to careless environmental practices. This event only deepened the community’s despair, as it became clear that even their wildlife wasn't safe from the disruption.
Calls for Accountability
Despite repeated calls for action, appeals to government officials have been largely ignored. Even when apologies are issued, they fall short of addressing the real concerns. Locals have yet to see a genuine attempt to rectify the damage done or to change the course of action in any meaningful way. These empty apologies only reinforce the perception that the community’s well-being is being sidelined for the sake of progress.
Two Years of Trauma
The Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Project is not just an environmental or cost issue—it is a social crisis that is reshaping the lives of Eungella residents. From the shock announcement that blindsided the local community to the underhanded tactics used to push land deals through, this project is leaving behind a trail of social trauma that Queenslanders at large remain blind to. The broader public remains unaware of the toll it is taking on families, communities, and the social fabric of the Mackay region.