Queensland Hydro and government officials have made grand promises about the job opportunities that will be created by the Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Project. While it’s claimed that up to 2,360 full-time jobs are expected during the five-year construction phase, post-construction, only around 30 full-time equivalent operational jobs will remain, as confirmed by Queensland Hydro themselves in their Stakeholder Reference Group (SRG) documents, as shown in the images. For a $24 billion project, this small number of permanent jobs is a disappointing return.
More concerning is that many of the jobs during construction will likely be filled by Fly-In Fly-Out (FIFO) or Drive-In Drive-Out (DIDO) workers. While the idea of a large temporary workforce sounds appealing, FIFO and DIDO workforces have historically had negative impacts on rural communities. Studies show that the influx of non-resident workers can lead to increased crime, anti-social behaviour, and strain on local services. These workers often stay in self-contained camps, meaning their spending does not flow into the local economy. Instead, communities are left to deal with increased crime and social challenges without reaping the benefits.
As shown in the SRG documents, Queensland Hydro has openly acknowledged the limited number of long-term jobs and the impact of construction work. The community will face the challenges of a transient workforce while receiving minimal long-term economic benefits. The Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Project promises a jobs boom, but the reality suggests that the costs to the community may far outweigh the benefits.