Help Save Eungella Spread Truth in South East Queensland

We're Save Eungella, an organisation dedicated to preserving the natural beauty and ecological integrity of Eungella, Queensland. We're launching this GoFundMe to raise funds for a crucial awareness campaign targeted towards South East Queensland (SEQ) about the Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Project and the potential impacts it will have on our region.

The Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Project, proposed by Queensland Hydro, is set in one of the most environmentally sensitive areas in Queensland. This project poses significant risks to local wildlife as well as directly impacting the habitat of 300+ platypus. Despite these risks, there's a lack of awareness and transparency about the project's true impacts among the residents of SEQ.

We believe it's vital to communicate these impacts clearly and effectively to the people in SEQ. Many are unaware of the project, and those who are often receive filtered information that downplays the potential consequences. We aim to rectify this by using the funds from this campaign to launch a comprehensive marketing and advertising effort. Our plan includes creating and distributing informative materials, running online ad campaigns, and organising community engagement events to educate and mobilise public opinion against the project in the lead up to the Queensland State election in October 2024

Your contribution will directly support our efforts to produce and distribute compelling educational content for marketing and advertising campaigns. Each donation helps us further enlighten the community through targeted communications that clarify the true implications of the Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Project, empowering locals to effectively voice their concerns and influence the relevant decision-making processes.

We are deeply committed to this cause, not just as environmental advocates, but as members of the Queensland community who cherish our natural heritage. Please help us ensure that our voices are heard and that future renewable energy projects respect the ecological and social fabric of our region. Thank you for your support and for being a part of this vital effort.

To find out more about us and the truth about the impact the Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Project will have, go to our website at https://www.saveeungella.com.au

You can also follow us on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/SaveEungella

Don't know much about the project? What is the true impact?

The Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Project, touted for its potential to boost Queensland's renewable energy capacity, has ignited a firestorm of controversy due to its profound implications for the environment, community, and local ecosystems. Here's a high-level summary of the key concerns surrounding this massive infrastructure project.

1. Environmental Destruction: The project necessitates extensive construction activities in ecologically sensitive areas. This includes the clearing of vast tracts of land which are home to unique, endemic and endangered wildlife, including the Eungella Honeyeater, the Eungella Day Frog, the Eungella Gastric Brooding Frog, the Northern Quoll, and 35 other endangered or endemic plants and animals, as well as the destruction platypus habitat, home to over 300 platypus The disturbance and potential destruction of these habitats pose a critical threat to biodiversity.

2. Community Impact: The project's construction and ongoing presence disrupt local communities. Increased traffic, noise pollution, and the transformation of serene natural landscapes into industrial zones degrade the quality of life for residents and is already pushing aways tourists, impacting local economies reliant on nature tourism.

3. Water Resources: Situated at the headwaters of the Pioneer and Burdekin water catchments, the project raises significant concerns regarding water resource management. The Pioneer River, one of Queensland’s two 'blue water' rivers, is renowned for its crystal-clear waters. Similarly, the Burdekin River, flowing through national parks to the Great Barrier Reef, faces potential impacts on its water quality due to project activities. These changes will likely disrupt the natural ecological balance, affecting both human use and the surrounding flora and fauna.

4. Financial Costs: Initially estimated to cost 12 billion dollars, there's significant concern about budget overruns, especially as the project faces technical and regulatory challenges. Estimates see the cost blowout to increase up to anywhere between 20 billion dollars and 74 billion dollars. These costs are borne by taxpayers, who are increasingly skeptical about the financial viability and long-term benefits of the project.

5. Lack of Transparency and Consultation: One of the critical outcries from the community has been the lack of transparency and inadequate consultation with the stakeholders most affected by the project. The push to expedite such a massive project without thorough public engagement and consensus has led to distrust and opposition.

6. Already Occurring Damage: Early drilling and other preparatory activities have caused disruptions and environmental damage, suggesting that the project's full implementation could exacerbate these issues.

The cumulative impact of these factors not only raises serious questions about the project's sustainability but also about the broader approach to renewable energy infrastructure development. While the goals of increasing renewable energy capacity are commendable, they should not come at the expense of environmental integrity and community welfare. The concerns raised highlight the need for a more balanced and thoughtful approach to such projects.

To find out more about us and the truth about the impact the Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Project will have, go to our website at https://www.saveeungella.com.au

You can also follow us on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/SaveEungella