Mr ANDREW: My question is to the Premier with reference to page 2 of the SDS and the list of
key deliverables. Will the Premier advise what the updated cost and timeframe for delivery of the
Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro will be?
Mr MILES: I thank the member for Mirani for his question. That is indeed a project that I know
he has an interest in and we have discussed before. The pumped hydro storage at both Borumba and
Pioneer-Burdekin are absolutely critical to allowing us to store the renewables—the wind and solar—
that are needed to achieve 24/7 firmed renewable power for industry and for households.
As the member would be aware from the budget paper that he is reading from, there is $1 billion
allocated now for the assessment, feasibility and progress work—$38.45 million of those works will be
delivered this financial year prior to a final investment decision. When the project was announced as
part of the Energy and Jobs Plan, the cost estimate was $12 billion. This remains the latest cost
estimate. I expect to have an updated cost available on finalisation of the detailed analytical report,
which we have not yet received.
Mr ANDREW: Can you advise how much the government has spent on what we find is a highly
misleading ad campaign depicting people swimming in pristine clean waters of a mountain lake which
is supposed to represent the Queensland hydro dam? How much was spent on this advertising
campaign? Was the Premier’s department involved in sanctioning its use in some form? It is like state
propaganda aimed at deceiving the Queensland public. How much did that cost? Why did we go into
that?
Mr MILES: I thank the member for Mirani for his question. The director-general has just advised
me that my department was not involved in the preparation of that communications material—that it
was Queensland Hydro’s work. Clearly a key component of their job is to convey to the community what
a pumped hydro project looks like.
Mr ANDREW: Putting fences around dams does not allow people to swim in a pumped hydro
area. I do not see how we could spend money on advertising that. How much did that cost? We do not
know?
Mr MILES: As I outlined, that communication was from Queensland Hydro. There will be an
opportunity in these estimates hearings to speak with the CEO of Queensland Hydro.