Borumba Project draft preliminary documentation
On this page
- About exploratory works
- The approvals pathway
- Understanding the steps
- Frequently asked questions
Public comment period now closed
The public comment period for the Borumba Project exploratory works draft preliminary documentation is now closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted their feedback – your input helps us design and deliver the best outcome for the proposed Borumba Project.
What’s next
Queensland Hydro will consider the comments received, prepare a summary report that explains how the comments were addressed, and update the preliminary documentation where appropriate. This must be provided to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and we will publish the summary of public comments and our responses on our website.
DCCEEW will then assess our final preliminary documentation. The Federal Minister for the Environment and Water (or an authorised delegate) will then make their determination.
project stages
About exploratory works
The Borumba Project is being delivered in two key phases: exploratory works and main works.
Exploratory 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.
Ultimately, exploratory works is about delivering a safe and efficient pumped hydro energy storage scheme.
Please note that the referral area for the exploratory works is the subject of a variation request submitted to DCCEEW.
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 be required to seek separate, rigorous approvals for the Borumba Project to commence main works via an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
To complete detailed design of the scheme, which includes ensuring the proposed locations for the infrastructure are suitable, Queensland Hydro needs to first undertake exploratory works.
In addition to preparing the preliminary documentation, Queensland Hydro is currently finalising a Social Assessment and Management Plan. You can learn more here.
Regulatory approvals
The approvals pathway
The planning and environmental approvals pathway for major infrastructure projects is complex. For the 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 main works, the assessment is by EIS. This assessment is separate to the exploratory works assessment.
For the 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.
We are now considering the feedback received during the public comment period. We will prepare a summary report for DCCEEW that explains how the comments were addressed and update the preliminary documentation where appropriate. We will publish the summary of public comments and our responses on our website.
DCCEEW will then assess our final preliminary documentation. The Federal Minister for the Environment and Water (or an authorised delegate) will then make their determination.
HOW IT WORKS
Understanding the steps
Our Executive General Manager of Communities and Environment, Natasha Patterson, sat down to explain the preliminary documentation public comment period.
In this video, we cover what exploratory works are, how they differ from main works and what the draft preliminary documentation covers.
More information
Frequently asked questions
Queensland Hydro has an obligation under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to provide information as soon as practicable to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water after the public comment period finishes.
However, we know that our proposed Project is ultimately better off when we have input from our neighbours and local communities. The Borumba Project is intended to be delivered in two stages known as exploratory works and main works. The exploratory works occur before main works. This public comment period related to exploratory works.
If you wish to provide input after the public comment period, please contact the Borumba team via email at [email protected] or call them on 1800 433 939. Comments received after the public comment period may not be considered as part of the formal assessment for exploratory works under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
There will be many more opportunities over the next couple of years to influence and provide comment in relation to the Borumba 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.
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 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 both stages of the Project.
An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is the 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 later this year.
Queensland Hydro will now consider the comments received, prepare a summary report that explains how the comments were addressed, and update the preliminary documentation where appropriate. This must be provided to DCCEEW.
DCCEEW will then assess our final preliminary documentation. The Federal Minister for the Environment and Water (or an authorised delegate) will then make their determination.
There is no set timeframe and it will depend on many factors like the number of public comments received and what was raised in those public comments.
Queensland Hydro has an obligation under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to provide information as soon as practicable to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water after the public comment period finishes.
After providing this information, Queensland Hydro must within 10 business days publish it. We expect to publish this on our website. We will provide updates once the information is published on our website.
Once DCCEEW receive our final preliminary documentation, they will then assess the documents and produce a recommendation report. The Federal Minister for the Environment and Water (or an authorised delegate) will then make their determination, which could be one of three options: approve the project, approve the project subject to conditions or not to approve the 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. Queensland Hydro will also be required to secure regulatory approvals for the main works component of the Project.
While the proposed Borumba 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.
Queensland’s Hydro’s management measures and mitigations for these safeguards are detailed in the Social Assessment Management Plan (SAMP).
The SAMP is part of the Queensland Government’s requirements under the Borumba Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Project Exploratory Works – Geotechnical and Investigations Works Project Report for the Works Regulation established under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 and is subject to approval by the Queensland Office of the Coordinator-General.
The SAMP addresses key matters within the Coordinator-General’s Social Impact Assessment Guideline (DSDILGP, 2018) and will be published on the Queensland Hydro website when approved by the Queensland Government.
Find out more about the SAMP here.
We know that our 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.
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. The communication and engagement plan for exploratory works is due to be published on Queensland Hydro’s website in early 2025 (pending Queensland Government acceptance of the plan).
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 has prepared a comprehensive Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) for the exploratory works phase. The assessment is in its final stages of review and approval following extensive consultation with local and State Government agencies. The TIA will be published on Queensland Hydro’s website prior to the commencement of exploratory works.
The TIA, and associated traffic management plans for exploratory works, will identify potential traffic changes required for the works as well as measures for avoiding or minimising any potential impacts such as congestion or delays for road users.
A range of 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)
- implementing operating arrangements for approved haulage routes
- park and ride facilities for Project workers to significantly reduce individual vehicle movements
- vehicle washdown facilities for Project vehicles
- adoption of a code of conduct for heavy vehicles associated with the Project
- UHF communication opportunities with local residents
We are also planning to house workers onsite in temporary worker accommodation camps. This will also minimise traffic impacts from vehicles travelling to and from the Project site each day.
These measures will be further refined in consultation with landholders and community. The Community and Stakeholder Engagement Plan for the exploratory works phase will detail how we will deliver that consultation.
Queensland Hydro is committed to ‘buy local’ to provide local businesses with access to global supply chains, the government market and to stimulate regional economies. We will develop and implement a Local Content Policy to maximise opportunities to local and regional business to supply to the Borumba Project (exploratory and main works) where feasible.
The Local Content Policy will be underpinned by the principles and processes captured in the Queensland Procurement Policy 2023, which values the participation of local, regional, social, and indigenous businesses in procurement opportunities.
First Nations and Social Enterprise business directories have also been established by Queensland Hydro.
Queensland Hydro is also finalising a suite of management measures under its proposed Jobs, Skills and Industry Participation Framework, including:
- Queensland Hydro Jobs, Skills and Industry Participation Strategy
- Borumba PHES Industry Participation Action Plan
- Borumba PHES Australian Industry Participation (AIP) Plan
- Borumba PHES Workforce Management Action Plan
- Borumba PHES First Nations Participation Action Plan
- Local Content Policy (Industry and Workforce)
- First Nations Participation Policy
- Diversity and Inclusion Policy.
Where work packages are procured during the exploratory works, contracted partners will be contractually required to provide periodic reports that demonstrate performance against a range of local content and workforce measures.
Pending regulatory approvals, and taking into consideration changes in the schedule, the exploratory works program may commence from Q2/Q3 2025 and reach a combined peak workforce of 316 personnel to support Lower and Upper Reservoir activities from Q3/Q4 2025.
The Lower Reservoir area workforce is expected to peak at 155 workers and the Upper Reservoir workforce a peak at 191 workers.
The exploratory works program is expected to continue until at least late 2026. The scope of activities at the Upper and Lower Reservoir areas will fluctuate as specialist contract packages are commissioned and completed.