Public comments sought on exploratory works for Borumba Pumped Hydro Project.
Queensland Hydro is inviting comments on its draft preliminary documentation.
Queensland Hydro is inviting comments on its draft preliminary documentation which is being assessed by the Commonwealth Government as part of the approvals process for the Borumba Pumped Hydro Project’s proposed exploratory works.
The Borumba Project is a pumped hydro energy storage scheme proposed at Lake Borumba, near Imbil, west of the Sunshine Coast. The Project is proposed to be delivered in two stages - exploratory works and main works – with exploratory works occurring first. The purpose of the exploratory works is to carry out investigations to confirm the suitability of the Borumba Project’s location, specifically the geotechnical conditions across the site and the location of the vast underground cavern and will also enable detailed design.
Stakeholders including neighbours, local communities, business owners and environmental groups located near the Borumba Project along with the general public are invited to participate in the process by providing their comments on the draft preliminary documentation.
The public comment period will open at 9:00am tomorrow, Friday 14 February 2025, and will close at midday on Monday 10 March 2025.
For exploratory works to commence, Queensland Hydro requires regulatory approvals from local, state and Commonwealth Governments. The Commonwealth Government assessment process is via preliminary documentation under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
The draft preliminary documentation outlines the current state of the environment, the proposed exploratory works activities, potential impacts of the proposed activities on the environment, and any strategies that Queensland Hydro will use to avoid, minimise or offset impacts.
Exploratory works include surface geotechnical investigations such as drilling boreholes, test-pitting and tunnelling. There are also a range of supporting works to enable access for those activities and to accommodate the workforce.
Queensland Hydro’s Executive General Manager of Communities and Environment, Natasha Patterson, said Australian planning and environmental laws typically build in participation by the public during the approvals process, and this standard step will help the proposed exploratory works be delivered in the right way.
“We have been engaging with interested stakeholders and addressing their feedback as we have prepared the preliminary documentation. We welcome comments from the public because we know that our Borumba Project is ultimately better off when we have input from our neighbours and local communities. For this reason, we encourage our stakeholders to review the draft documentation and to have their say on the proposed exploratory works,” Ms Patterson said.
“The draft documentation steps through the proposed exploratory works activities in detail and explains our approach to avoiding, minimising or offsetting any impacts. Our teams are working hard to ensure we minimise our impact on natural and cultural values and provide lasting, positive impacts for both the environment and local communities.
“Anyone wishing to make a comment can review the draft documentation on our website and complete an online submission. Email and written submissions are also accepted, and hard copies of the documentation are available to read if preferred. Our Borumba team is available to provide assistance with accessing the documentation or submitting a comment, so please contact us with any questions.”
Once the public comment period closes, 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 will then be provided to DCCEEW for their assessment. Queensland Hydro will publish the summary of public comments and our responses on our website.
The planned exploratory works for the Borumba Project will inform the detailed design of the Borumba Project.
The main works stage of the Borumba Project relates to the construction of the infrastructure required to operate the scheme, such as the reservoirs, tunnels and an underground power station. Queensland Hydro is seeking separate approvals for these works, which will be assessed through an Environmental Impact Statement.
“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 associated with the second stage of the Project,” Ms Patterson said.
How to make a submission
The public comment period is open from 9:00am on Friday 14 February 2025 and will close at midday on Monday 10 March 2025.
Those interested in making a public comment on the preliminary documentation are encouraged to do so via the Queensland Hydro website.
Submissions can be made online, by email, or by calling the Borumba Project team on 1800 433 939.
A copy of the draft preliminary documentation can be found on the Queensland Hydro website from 14 February 2025 or a hardcopy can be viewed at the following locations:
- Imbil Library, 123-125 Yabba Road, 07 5484 5488
- Kilcoy Library, 15 Kennedy Street, Kilcoy, 07 5422 4950
- State Library, Stanley Place, South Brisbane, 07 3840 7666
- Queensland Hydro Project Office, 6 Imbil Island Road, Imbil, 1800 433 939
Queensland Hydro’s Project Office will be open from 9:00am – 4:00pm Monday to Friday, and until 7:00pm on Thursdays during the public comment period. The Office will also be open from 9:00am to 12:00pm on Saturday 1 March 2025.
Submissions can be made online, via email to [email protected] or in writing to Queensland Hydro Environment Team, PO Box 12278, Brisbane QLD 4000. Translator services are available.
Media enquiries:
More information
Details on the assessment of projects under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) can be found here.
First published 13 February 2025.
Update: Public comment period now open until Friday 14 March.
Due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred impacting the community and our staff, we have decided to allow additional time for public comment on the draft preliminary documentation for our proposed exploratory works. Queensland Hydro will now accept comments until 5:00pm on Friday 14 March 2025.
Learn more about the public comment period during Tropical Cyclone Alfred.