Exploratory works EPBC Act approval status
On this page
- Key documents
- About exploratory works
- The approvals pathway
- Frequently asked questions
Commonwealth regulatory approval secured for Borumba Project exploratory works.
On Thursday 18 December 2025, the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) published their decision advising that they had assessed and approved Queensland Hydro’s application to undertake exploratory works on the proposed Borumba Pumped Hydro Project.
What’s next
Queensland Hydro will commence the next phase of the Borumba Project in 2026, including exploratory works to gather critical geotechnical data to progress design development and the revised business case, pending state approvals.
The approval includes a series of conditions specific to the scope of the exploratory works. Some conditions must be met before works commence while others will be complied with throughout the exploratory works phase. These conditions include disturbance limits, implementing management plans, securing and restoring land in line with the Offset Area Management Plan, and meeting a range of additional requirements.
Queensland Hydro will be required to report on its compliance with any management plans or conditions imposed on approvals. Regular reports will be published on the Queensland Hydro website.
EPBC Act Public Portal
The EPBC Act Public Portal contains information on the status of DCCEEW’s assessment. The Referral reference for the Borumba Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHES) Project – Exploratory Works is 2023/09461.
documents
Preliminary Documentation and the Public Comment Response Document
A copy of the final Preliminary Documentation and Public Comment Response Document is available below.
Final Preliminary Documentation – Complete report excluding appendices
Final Preliminary Documentation – Appendices
- Appendix A – Request for information – 24 April 2023 (PDF)
- Appendix B – Groundwater impact assessment (PDF)
- Appendix C – Decommissioning and rehabilitation strategy (PDF)
- Appendix D – Likelihood of occurrence (PDF)
- Appendix E – Species observations and habitat (PDF)
- Appendix E.1 – Species observations and habitat (PDF)
- Appendix E.2 – Species observations and habitat (PDF)
- Appendix E.3 – Species observations and habitat (PDF)
- Appendix E.4 – Species observations and habitat (PDF)
- Appendix E.5 – Species observations and habitat (PDF)
- Appendix F – Construction Environmental Management Plan (PDF)
- Appendix G – Water quality risk assessment (PDF)
- Appendix H – Risk assessment for impacts to threatened species (PDF)
- Appendix I – Offset Area Management Plan (PDF)
- Appendix J – Significant impact assessments of MNES that possibly occur (PDF)
- Appendix K – Terrestrial ecology technical reports (PDF)
- Appendix L – Aquatic ecology technical reports (PDF)
- Appendix M – Survey methodology and results (PDF)
- Appendix N – Protected Matters Search Tool results (PDF)
Public Response Document
project stages
About exploratory works
The Borumba Pumped Hydro Project is being delivered in two key stages: exploratory works and main works. Exploratory works occur before main works.
Exploratory works are critical activities that will confirm geotechnical conditions and characteristics of the Borumba Pumped Hydro Project site, building on the knowledge we have gathered throughout the investigations stage.
These activities are critical to inform the detailed design of the proposed Project. The works include surface geotechnical investigations, such as boreholes, geotechnical excavation works to reach the location of the proposed underground cavern, and a range of temporary supporting works.
In addition to preparing the preliminary documentation, Queensland Hydro is currently finalising a Social Assessment and Management Plan, Road Use Management Plan, Traffic Impact Assessment and a Community and Stakeholder Engagement Plan You can learn more here.
Main works refers to the construction of the pumped hydro scheme – infrastructure such as the reservoirs, dams, tunnels and underground power station. Queensland Hydro will still be required to seek separate approvals to commence any future main works. We expect this separate approval pathway to be via an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
To complete detailed design of the pumped hydro scheme, which includes ensuring the planned locations for the scheme components, configurations and related infrastructure are suitable, Queensland Hydro needs to first undertake exploratory works.
Regulatory approvals
The approvals pathway
The regulatory and environmental approvals pathway for major infrastructure projects is multi-layered. For the proposed Borumba Pumped Hydro Project, we will need approvals from local, State and Commonwealth governments for both exploratory works and main works before they can proceed.
At a Commonwealth level, once a project is determined to be a controlled action, DCCEEW decides which method of assessment will be used to understand the proposed works, impacts and mitigation strategies.
For exploratory works, DCCEEW decided that the assessment method was Preliminary Documentation. The purpose of the Preliminary Documentation is to provide sufficient information for the Minister to make a decision on the exploratory works, including information requested by DCCEEW.
The final Preliminary Documentation was assessed and approved in December 2026.
More information
Frequently asked questions
The public comment period for the exploratory works draft Preliminary Documentation opened on 14 February 2025 and closed on 14 March 2025. We received 115 submissions. The public comment period is closed. The final Preliminary Documentation is published for information only. We know that our proposed Project is ultimately better off when we have input from our neighbours and local communities.
If you wish to speak with our team about the proposed exploratory works or other topics related to the Project or wish to share ideas or local knowledge with us, please contact the Borumba team via email at borumba@qldhydro.com.au or call them on 1800 433 939.
There will be many more opportunities over the next couple of years to influence and provide comment in relation to the Borumba Pumped Hydro Project’s main works through informal engagement as well as formal or regulatory public comment processes.
The draft preliminary documentation includes a description of the action, the existing environment, including threatened species under the EPBC Act, assessment of the impacts of the proposed exploratory works on Matters of National Environmental Significance (threatened species and ecological communities) and the strategies we have undertaken and are proposing to undertake to avoid, minimise and mitigate impacts. Where significant residual impacts are likely following the implementation of mitigation measures, an offset solution has been proposed.
Queensland Hydro has conducted a range of terrestrial flora and fauna surveys and aquatic ecology surveys as part of the assessment process. We also undertook a range of other assessments for groundwater impact, contaminated land, noise and vibration, traffic impact and social impact. Water quality monitoring and groundwater monitoring continues across the Project site.
To complete detailed design of the pumped hydro scheme, which includes ensuring any planned locations for the scheme components, configurations and related infrastructure are suitable, Queensland Hydro needs to first undertake exploratory works.
The Preliminary Documentation outlines the proposed activities for the exploratory works stage. The exploratory works activities were initially referred to DCCEEW against the proposed 2000MW Project, however these investigations remain critical as we continue to assess the Project and progress the refreshed business case. Our focus will be on undertaking exploratory works that are required to support these ongoing assessments and the refreshed business case.
The Borumba Pumped Hydro Project is proposed to be delivered in two stages: exploratory works and main works. The exploratory works covers a range of geotechnical investigations to enable ongoing assessments to inform the detailed design of the scheme. The main works is the construction of the scheme. Queensland Hydro is required to seek separate regulatory approval for each stage of the Project.
An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is the expected assessment method for the proposed Project’s main works stage. The Terms of Reference for the EIS were released in August 2024. Queensland Hydro is currently compiling the documentation required and further information about how you can have your say will be released in the future.
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) had information about the different assessment methods. You can find out more at: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/epbc/advice/assessment-methods
On Thursday 18 December 2025, the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) published their decision advising that they had assessed and approved Queensland Hydro’s application to undertake exploratory works on the proposed Borumba Pumped Hydro Project.
Please note that this is a separate decision to any State-based approvals that may be required. Queensland Hydro cannot proceed until all regulatory approvals have been secured.
While the proposed Borumba Pumped Hydro Project is being designed to bring significant long-term benefits, we recognise this also comes with some disruption for local communities. In consultation with our stakeholders, Queensland Hydro has developed social, cultural, environmental and economic safeguards that demonstrate respect for the values of the local communities and stakeholders in proximity of and/or directly impacted by the exploratory works.
A Social Assessment identifies and assesses the social impacts which may occur in the local and regional communities during exploratory works. From these findings, a Social Assessment Management Plan (SAMP) outlines the social impact mitigation and benefit enhancement measures (collectively referred to as “management measures”) required to manage significant potential social impacts identified. These management measures will be reported against and adaptive measures undertaken, as the project moves through exploratory works
The Social Assessment and SAMP is part of the Queensland Government’s requirements under the Borumba Pumped Hydro Project Exploratory Works – Geotechnical and Investigations Works Project Report for the Works Regulation established under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (Qld) and is subject to assessment by the Queensland Office of the Coordinator-General.
The Social Assessment and SAMP addresses key matters within the Coordinator-General’s Social Impact Assessment Guideline (DSDILGP, 2025) and will be published on the Queensland Hydro website when assessed by the Queensland Government.
Find out more about the Social Assessment and SAMP here.
We know that our proposed Project is ultimately better off when we have input from our neighbours and local communities. Since 2022, Queensland Hydro has provided stakeholders with two-way engagement and communications opportunities to provide input on the Borumba Project. If you wish to share ideas or local knowledge with us, please contact the Borumba team via email at borumba@qldhydro.com.au or call them on 1800 433 939.
Activities have included phone calls, emails, meetings, briefings, workshops, community events, the Imbil Project office, Community Connect events and information sessions. Our engagement activities have spanned the Project footprint in communities such as Amamoor, Cooroy, Gympie, Imbil, Jimna, Kandanga, Kenilworth, Kilcoy, Nambour, Nanango and Woodford.
We also have a range of community-based groups to guide and facilitate communication with the local community. Our Stakeholder Reference Group, focus groups and Environment Working Group ensure that the Project aligns with community values and needs.
More about our community groups can be found here.
These engagement activities are documented in a formal plan which reflect internationally recognised standards, such as the IAP2 Public Participation Spectrum.
Our engagement, communication and social performance approach is continuously monitored, with results of formal evaluation regularly presented to the Office of the Coordinator-General.
Queensland Hydro will implement an adaptive management approach for the management of traffic and transport during exploratory works. A Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) has assessed the existing road network and has made recommendations for heavy and light vehicle utilisation during exploratory works. Key initiatives adopted in our Road-use Management Plan (RMP) for the management of exploratory works traffic include:
- reducing vehicle numbers travelling to site by providing on-site accommodation, parking and or staging areas for the workforce
- limiting heavy vehicle use to selected routes
- restricting heavy vehicle movements on school bus routes and in the vicinity or school during drop off and pick up times
- promoting safe driving practices for employees and delivery partners, and adoption of a code of conduct for heavy vehicles associated with the Project
- undertaking improvements to the road network where required
- managing traffic at identified pinch points on the network
- consultation with the relevant road authorities and or road managers on identified issues and mitigation measures
- proactive engagement to provide updates and receive feedback on anticipated traffic movements and management measures
- continuous evaluation of the effectiveness of mitigation measures and adjusting these when required.
A range of other traffic management and mitigation measures will be in place along transport routes. These mitigations and measures may include:
- advanced notice of traffic and transport impacts on local and State roads including timing of major deliveries of structures or equipment to the Project site
- digital and fixed road signage to advise of traffic changes including use of variable message signs (the digital signs on trailers you may have seen on other roads)
- UHF communication opportunities with local residents.
These measures will be further refined in consultation with landholders and community.