Mr ANDREW: I would also like to ask a question of the Audit Office after my question to the
Premier, if that is possible. Premier, in relation to the billion dollars that you mentioned just recently on
SDS page 2 to do with the Burdekin pumped hydro, how much have we spent on studies into the
platypus habitation and also any of the frequency damage that could be done by wind factories for koala
populations and sugar glider populations? Will these documents, if there are any available, be made
public please?
Ms PUGH: Did you mean wind farm?
Mr ANDREW: Wind factory, same thing.
Mr MILES: Thank you for your question. I too am eager to ensure that the Pioneer-Burdekin
Pumped Hydro project has as minimal impact on the flora and fauna of that precious environment as is
possible. That is why we are doing the studies necessary to determine how we can build that project in
the most financially, socially and environmentally sensitive way.
I understand that 86 per cent of the land within the likely inundation footprint is agricultural land
so it has been previously cleared. The dam itself has been designed to ensure zero surface level
impacts to the national park. Queensland Hydro are undertaking a comprehensive environmental
baseline, including looking at options to improve habitat for platypus. The project also remains subject
to state and federal environmental approvals which will take those matters into account. As outlined in
our Energy and Jobs Plan, that work is set to continue into 2026—so for some time. It is common that
those EIS and other studies are made public, so wherever possible that would be our anticipation.
The energy minister will be before estimates later in the hearings. As mentioned, the CEO of
Pumped Hydro as well as the other GOCs will be available there to answer in more detail. The
assurance I can give the member for Mirani is that this project is designed very much to protect the
environment, including from the kind of existential threats that climate change indicates.