Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House to the Government’s proposal for building the world’s largest hydropower plant within the Pioneer Valley and adjacent ranges, west of Mackay.

This project will:

• deforest and industrialise one of the most beautiful rural landscapes in Queensland;

• require an unsustainable amount of water to fill three massive new dams, with ongoing takes to replace evaporation losses;

• wipe out whole stretches of luxuriant, subtropical forest land, vegetation and mature trees;

• imperil many vulnerable species of flora and fauna in this biodiverse region;

• pose a flooding risk to communities in the lower valley and surrounding area;

• destroy multiple properties along Dalrymple Rd and inundate the whole town of Netherdale and valley up to the base of the Eungella Range;

• pose significant risk to health and environment from the blasting needed to remove the top of Mt Dalrymple to construct upper dams; and

• cause ongoing noise and vibration from the mega-plant’s operational equipment and pumps.

The project and planned transmission corridor will devastate the many lives, livelihoods, properties and communities of this region.

No consultations were held with the community or Traditional Land Owners and no Environment Impact Statement, engineering/feasibility studies or cost/benefit analysis provided.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to call for the halt of the Government’s planning on this project, for which it has neither the support or consent of the people most impacted.