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<p><strong>Proposed action details</strong></p><p>The proposed action is described in more detail in <strong>Att. 0 - Borumba PHES EPBC Referral Report, Section 1.5, pg.8-21</strong>.</p><p>The Project is a large-scale, long-duration PHES project with the capacity to generate up to 2,000MW of electricity for up to 24 hours (48,000MWh). The Project involves expanding the existing Lake Borumba (lower reservoir) and connecting it via twin water tunnels to a new reservoir (upper reservoir) and underground power station.</p><p>The upper reservoir sits approximately 330m above the elevation of the lower reservoir (Lake Borumba) and has a full supply level (FSL) of 490.5mAHD. This elevational difference supports the power generation. Electricity generated by the Project is proposed to be transmitted to the Tarong (Halys) and Woolooga substations via transmission lines, which are to be delivered separately by Powerlink.</p><p>The Main Works for the Project comprises the following components:</p><ul><li><strong>Lower reservoir</strong> – construction and operation of a dam with an FSL of 155mAHD immediately downstream (approximately 300m) of the existing Borumba dam, increasing the storage capacity of Lake Borumba (lower reservoir) from approximately to 224GL and the inundation area from 1,243ha at FSL. Partial decommissioning of the existing Borumba dam wall is also proposed. Fauna passage devices may be installed to facilitate movement around the new dam wall, subject to assessment outcomes.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Upper reservoir</strong> – construction and operation of a 492.7mAHD main dam, a primary saddle dam and four secondary saddle dams to establish a new reservoir with a storage capacity of 70GL and an inundation area of 355ha.</li><li><strong>Underground components</strong> – construction and operation of water tunnels, the pump turbine cavern, transformer cavern, and all associated equipment (powerhouse), the access tunnel, and emergency, cable and ventilation tunnel.</li><li><strong>Supporting infrastructure</strong> – construction and operation of the switchyard platform where energy generated will be transmitted to Powerlink's electricity network, an operating pad with surface portals for the access and cable tunnels, and access roads and bridges, water treatment, waste management, power and telecommunications. Construction and maintenance of public recreational facilities would also be required.</li><li><strong>Temporary infrastructure for construction</strong> – construction, operation, decommissioning and rehabilitation for the Main Works. Construction camps and quarries and/or borrow pits that are not developed as part of the Exploratory Works, and plants, laydown areas, site offices and workshops, construction water infrastructure, on-site haul roads, and spoil and stockpile areas.</li></ul><p>The Project components are described in detail in <strong>Att. 0 - Borumba PHES EPBC Referral Report, Section 1.6, pg.20-31</strong>.</p><p>The proposed action excludes activities associated with routine management of Queensland Hydro land, power and telecommunications infrastructure from third parties, material services from third party providers, other ancillary works where no significant residual impact on MNES is likely to occur, Exploratory Works assessed under EPBC 2023/09461, the outcomes of ongoing investigations for quarries to supply both aggregate and sand for concrete production to support the Exploratory Works, along with proposed upgrades to the road, upgrades to Bella Creek Road and roads within Imbil State Forest.&nbsp;</p><p>For the purposes of this referral, the Project Footprint and layout is indicative. It is anticipated that the location and footprint of Project components will change in response to the outcomes of technical and environmental investigations undertaken as part of the Exploratory Works and the EIS process, and refinements in project design, along with outcomes of stakeholder and community consultation activities. The Project Footprint will be reduced as far as possible.</p><p>The <strong>Project Footprint is an estimated 1,500ha </strong>and is within a <strong>Project Area that is approximately 5,235ha</strong>. The Project Footprint includes both options for the operating pad, although only one will be constructed, and is a worst-case estimate of the total disturbance footprint, which will be refined and likely reduced during the EIS process.</p><p>The Project is related to two other separate proposed actions that would ultimately enable the development and delivery of the Project. The two separate and related actions under the <i>Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999</i> (EPBC Act) are:</p><ul><li>the Borumba PHES Project – Exploratory Works (EPBC 2023/09461). These are described in <strong>Att. 0 - Borumba PHES EPBC Referral Report, Section 1.10.1, pg.34</strong>.</li><li>a transmission connection (up to 500kV) to existing Powerlink substations at Tarong (Halys) and/or Woolooga (delivered as a related project by Powerlink) (<strong>Att. 0 - Borumba PHES EPBC Referral Report, Section 1.10.2, pg.34)</strong>.</li></ul><p><strong>Need for the Project</strong></p><p>The Project need is described in detail in <strong>Att. 0 - Borumba PHES EPBC Referral Report, Section 1.4.1, pg.5-8</strong>.</p><p>In September 2022, under the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan the Queensland renewable energy target was raised to 70% generation by 2032, 80% by 2035 and net zero emissions by 2050. To continue to increase the proportion of energy generation from renewable sources while maintaining system reliability, the Australian Energy Market Operator identified that Queensland will need significant energy storage as part of a diverse future energy system. Modelling commissioned by the Queensland Government indicated that 6,000&nbsp;to 10,000MW of long-duration energy storage would be required to facilitate these targets.</p><p>The Project would support renewable energy development by providing system reliability to otherwise variable energy generation. Pumped hydro energy storage demonstrates advantages over other forms of energy storage due to its long asset life and low-lifetime cost. Energy can be generated almost immediately, enabling power to be supplied to the grid when required. However, it can also rapidly introduce additional energy demand via pumping when electricity supply exceeds system energy demands.&nbsp;</p><p>Of the options assessed by the Queensland Government, Borumba was prioritised due to:</p><ul><li>the topographical and geological characteristics of the local area, which make it suitable for long duration, high-capacity pumped hydropower generation</li><li>land ownership (the proposed site for the upper reservoir and other Project components has been owned by Queensland Government since the 1980s)</li><li>the presence of the existing Lake Borumba, an already modified environment which could serve as the lower reservoir</li><li>proximity to the high-voltage transmission network</li><li>the location within the Southern Queensland Renewable Energy Zone.</li></ul><p><strong>Potential Impacts</strong></p><p>Much of the Project would be located, unavoidably, in vegetated areas that provide habitat for threatened species listed under the EPBC Act. Measures to avoid and minimise impacts on environmental, social, and cultural heritage values will be implemented for all phases of the Project. If not appropriately managed, the key potential direct and indirect environmental impacts associated with the Project may include:</p><ul><li>Direct and indirect impacts to flora and fauna habitat within the Project area due to vegetation clearing required for surface Project works.&nbsp;</li><li>Risk of fauna injury or death due to vegetation clearing required for surface Project works and operation of the Project.</li><li>Disturbance of the soil associated with vegetation clearing for surface Project works, concentrating runoff and causing soil erosion and resulting in changes to water quality within waterways.</li><li>Loss and/or reduction in the populations of threatened flora and fauna, and displacement of fauna from the area, as a result of vegetation clearing for surface Project works, inundation and operation of the reservoirs, as well as potentially due to the associated increased noise and dust generation onsite.</li><li>Loss of habitat for aquatic fauna due to physical disturbance to the bed and banks of Yabba Creek and associated waterways, and inundation of reservoirs.</li><li>Barriers to aquatic fauna movements due to the construction of waterway crossings.</li><li>Changes to water quality, such as increases in turbidity, sediment loads, and concentrations of nutrients and metals, due to the operation of the Project.</li><li>Contamination of waterways through any discharge of surface/ground water collected during Project work, and the accidental release of fuel, oil, waste or other chemicals.</li><li>Direct groundwater take or groundwater drawdown associated with underground infrastructure, leading to a change in groundwater availability and movement.</li><li>Air quality (dust) impacts due to construction activities, and general vehicle and machinery movements onsite.</li><li>Noise and vibration impacts, particularly due to earthworks and drilling and blasting activities and the general use of heavy machinery and vehicles onsite.</li><li>Visual impacts, primarily as a result of vegetation clearance and Project infrastructure (e.g. dam walls).</li><li>Increased occurrence of weeds and pests in the vicinity of Project works due to increased human activity and vehicle movements onsite.</li></ul><p>Queensland Hydro has followed the environmental management hierarchy to avoid or reduce potential impacts associated with the Project, including:</p><ul><li>prioritising cleared areas for Project infrastructure</li><li>if vegetation cannot be avoided, locating infrastructure to avoid sensitive environmental areas. where possible</li><li>minimising vegetation clearing and habitat fragmentation by upgrading existing access tracks. where possible</li><li>locating construction sites and activities in the inundation areas, where possible.</li></ul><p>Of the total Project Footprint (1,500ha), the following overlap with threatened species habitat or ecological communities:</p><ul><li>clearance of up to 1,481ha of listed threatened species habitat</li><li>clearance of 297ha of vegetation associated with listed threatened ecological communities.</li></ul><p>A cover letter summarising the context of the Project and the referral submission has been provided (<strong>Att.00 - Borumba PHES EPBC Referral Cover Letter</strong>).</p>
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