Business and job opportunities start to flow from Queensland Hydro’s Pioneer-Burdekin project

Queensland Hydro’s Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro project is already delivering on the Queensland Government’s promises for transparent engagement, jobs and supplier opportunities for Mackay and the Pioneer Valley.

Queensland Hydro will shortly be welcoming Expression of Interest from businesses and suppliers local to the Mackay region who are interested in working on the project.

The EOI covers investigatory works for the Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro project, including geotechnical and environmental studies and accommodation providers.

As well, Queensland Hydro has launched a staff recruitment drive with 42 roles across the areas of corporate and commercial, community and stakeholder engagement, technical delivery and project control with roles based both in Brisbane and Mackay.

Queensland Hydro will also hold more community drop-in sessions at Eungella and Finch Hatton Monday and Wednesday next week (November 21 and 23).

The Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan has pumped hydro at the centre of Queensland’s transformation to a clean, affordable and reliable energy system to meet renewable energy targets of 70 per cent by 2032 and 80 per cent by 2035.

Queensland Hydro’s two projects – Pioneer-Burdekin and Borumba (near Gympie) - are flagship projects for the Energy and Jobs Plan.

Queensland Hydro Interim CEO Chris Evans said he and the team were looking forward to the chance to talk to business and local communities about the rapidly emerging opportunities from the Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro project.

“Queensland Hydro gave undertakings to the community at the last meetings that we would return and provide more detail around the studies we needed to do so that we can both fully understand and identify the relevant issues and challenges for the project,” Mr Evans said.

“We share a common desire with the community to undertake robust environmental and technical surveys to understand the local environmental values and assess any potential mitigation or offset requirements.

“We also want to draw on community expertise and local knowledge to help focus our investigations and studies.

“With our current recruitment activity, Queensland Hydro is looking forward to strengthening our presence in the Mackay region with locally-based employees able to work with the community and business to understand and inform the project.”

November Queensland Hydro  Community Drop-In Sessions:

Monday November 21: 3pm – 6pm – Eungella Community Drop-In Session – Eungella Community Hall

Wednesday, November 23: 3pm – 6 pm – Finch Hatton Community Drop-In Session – Pioneer Valley Agricultural Society Show Hall