Workers delivering the Genex Kidston pumped hydro project are being fed maggot-infested meals according to union representatives, who have also voiced concerns that food at the North Queensland work camp is running low.

The Electrical Trades Union said this came in the wake of the joint venture leading the construction effort making commitments to rectify living conditions after workers reported mouldy rooms, putrid food and widespread gastro outbreaks in October.

“The hygiene and food safety standards have again fallen to unacceptable levels,” ETU State organiser Robert Hill said.

“The attached photos (reproduced left and above) show larvae present in a crib meal on the 10th of January 2026. This is a fundamental breach of food safety obligations and raises serious concerns about the camp’s ability to provide safe, nutritious meals.”

There were also reports that the camp was running out of food due to road access being cut by flooding, pointing to a lack of contingency planning, he said.

He said the John Holland and McConnel Dowell JV had committed to ‘holding Genex to account’ and ensuring ‘regular and ongoing independent audits of food safety.’

Related: Kidston hydro back on course after stop work

Mr Hill said they must provide the following without delay:

• Copies of all food safety audits conducted since the commitment was made
• Dates of audits
• Qualifications of the auditor
• Evidence of any actions taken to hold Genex accountable

Genex Power chief operations officer Arran McGhie said was aware of an event on January 10 regarding a single pre-packed crib meal that had raised concern regarding food quality at the project.

“The health, safety, and wellbeing of every person working on the project continues to be Genex’s highest priority and Genex is taking this matter very seriously,” he said.

“The camp operator immediately commenced an investigation and Genex is currently awaiting the outcome.

“No persons have presented to the site nurse with gastrointestinal illness or symptoms related to this event since this event was reported. Genex will continue to act swiftly to ensure the wellbeing of all personnel on site.”

CFMEU regional co-ordinator Chad Bragdon said the incident was a serious health and safety failure by Genex and ISS.

That union is calling for mandatory living standards to be enforced across all remote work sites and camps.

In addition to food issues, the ETU said the JV had committed to increasing cleaning staff.

While this occurred initially, standards had since deteriorated, it said. Two employees commenced their swing over New Year to find their rooms un-serviced.

A commitment to resolve Wi-Fi issues by December 15 had also not been met, it said.

The ETU and AMWU, in a joint statement, demanded that all workers be sent home if the JV could not ensure safe places to live for the Kidston workforce.

The pumped storage hydro project is being developed at the former Kidston gold mine in North Queensland and will use the site’s old mining pits as upper and lower reservoirs for renewable energy generation.