Understanding the EIS process.
Based on a Terms of Reference, an EIS is the most robust environmental impact assessment process in Queensland.
The proposed Borumba Pumped Hydro Project, if approved, will provide critical reliability and stability to Queensland’s energy grid – keeping the lights on as we transition to renewable energy.
Like all major infrastructure projects, the Borumba Project will need to undergo rigorous regulatory assessment before works can proceed.
Last year, the state and federal governments both agreed that the proposed Project’s main works met the criteria for assessment, and that the assessment would be via an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). On Friday 16 August 2024, the Queensland Coordinator-General released the final Terms of Reference for the Borumba Project’s EIS.
What is an EIS?
An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is a rigorous assessment of the potential environmental, social and economic impacts of a project. It is a tool used by the government to assess details of the project.
An EIS is the most robust environmental impact assessment process in Queensland.
An EIS will typically look at:
- the existing environment around the proposed project site
- potential environmental, economic and social impacts of the project
- proposals to avoid, minimise or mitigate or offset any potential impacts.
What’s happened to date?
In October 2023, the Queensland Coordinator-General determined that the Borumba Project’s main works was a coordinated project and would be assessed at a state level via an EIS.
In December 2023, the Federal Minister for Environment and Water determined that the proposed Project met the criteria of a controlled action, and that the assessment approach would be via accredited assessment by the Queensland Government under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971.
Accredited assessment means that Queensland Hydro will now prepare a single, robust EIS rather than there being two separate EIS processes. It is important to note that this is a rigorous, transparent process that has extensive government oversight.
The EIS will be coordinated by the Office of the Coordinator General (OCG) and will be required to address both federal and state criteria. It will then be reviewed by both federal and state regulators. The proposed Borumba Project will not proceed unless it has the approval of the Queensland Coordinator-General and the Federal Minister for Environment and Water.
The Terms of Reference
An EIS is conducted based on a Terms of Reference (TOR), which is a project-specific document that outlines what needs to be assessed. The TOR is drafted by the Office of the Coordinator-General. On Saturday 17 February 2024, the OCG released the draft TOR for public comment. The public comment period closed on Thursday 28 March 2024.
The Coordinator-General released the final Terms of Reference on Friday 16 August 2024. You can find a copy of the TOR here.
Throughout the EIS process, multiple studies will be completed to address the TOR, resulting in a final EIS that is submitted for assessment. There is typically some back and forth during this period when a draft EIS is submitted for adequacy review by the OCG and the inclusion of additional information may be required before it can be assessed.
Public comment periods
In Australia, regulatory processes typically build in participation by the public. Regulators take all relevant public interest considerations into account when they make their decisions.
The OCG will coordinate public comment periods by providing public notice. The OCG will be responsible for collating and assessing any feedback received during the consultation period. This allows feedback to be considered in an impartial way by a neutral third-party.
It’s important to remember that all public consultation about the draft EIS is coordinated by the OCG – not Queensland Hydro. However, we recognise that there will be issues and topics important to you that are not captured through the EIS process, and we want your input. Throughout the process we will still be holding community information sessions and stakeholder reference group meetings to ensure you have plenty of opportunity to share your views.
More information
For more information about the EIS process, head to:
- The Office of the Coordinator-General website
- The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water website
- The Borumba Pumped Hydro Project main works Terms of Reference
You can also contact our Borumba Project engagement team by calling 1800 433 939 or via [email protected]
About the Project
The proposed Borumba Pumped Hydro Project is a 2,000MW pumped hydro energy storage system at Lake Borumba, located near Imbil, 45 minutes south-west of Gympie. The main works would include construction of:
- one lower reservoir, involving one new dam wall 300m downstream from the current Borumba Dam
- one upper reservoir, involving six dams (one main dam, a primary saddle dam, and four secondary saddle dams)
- six headrace tunnels
- six tailrace tunnels
- two access tunnels
- an underground power station
- above ground switchyard, and
- associated infrastructure including road upgrades, bridges, quarries, workers’ camps, site offices, vehicle washdown bays and other site requirements.
Pending regulatory approvals, the main works are scheduled to commence from 2026. The EIS is separate to regulatory approvals that are required for the proposed project’s exploratory works phase.
First published 20 August 2024.