Queensland says local businesses will power its renewable energy future, though a major project faces delays. 

The Borumba Pumped Hydro Project, initially heralded as a significant part of the state’s renewable energy push, is now facing delays despite recent announcements of large-scale contracts. 

Local company GeoDrill Australia has secured a portion of a $25 million contract for geotechnical drilling, a key component of the project’s early stages. 

The state government has used GeoDrill’s involvement to highlight its commitment to integrating local businesses into the state’s broader infrastructure and clean energy developments. 

However, concerns over the timeline for construction persist.

Minister for Small Business, Lance McCallum, announced the contract during a visit to the Sunshine Coast. 

“This project is not just about delivering on our renewable energy targets, it's about empowering our local economy,” McCallum said.

GeoDrill, a family-owned business from Chevallum, will begin drilling in October, alongside two other Queensland companies. 

The work will feed into environmental impact assessments (EIS) and provide data crucial to the project’s final design.

The contract is expected to span two to three years, during which time the company will drill water wells and evaluate the site’s geotechnical conditions. 

Despite these positive developments, McCallum has conceded that significant work remains before construction of the $14.2 billion hydro project can begin. 

The project, which was expected to commence in 2025, is now uncertain due to the need for further environmental approvals and the results of ongoing geotechnical assessments. 

“We will need to get the results of drilling, as well as some of the environmental studies,” McCallum said.

Queensland Hydro, which is overseeing the project, has yet to complete its business case or receive final federal environmental approvals. 

A spokesperson has confirmed that while the project remains on track to deliver power by 2030, the 2025 construction start date has not been officially confirmed. 

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