Geotechnical drilling at the proposed Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro site has found granite rock ideal for dam construction, tunnels and potentially multiple underground multi-turbine powerhouses.

The State Government said Mackay-based Twin Hills Engineering carried out the bulk of the drilling work to yield 3800m of geotechnical cores.

Investigations by WSP and SMEC have found very strong, coarse competent granite rock, Energy Minister Mick de Brenni said.

He highlighted the fact that these tests had revealed two main types of rock at the site, while the troubled Snowy Hydro project has more than 20 to contend with.

Image at top of page: Energy Minister Mick de Brenni examines samples with Queensland Government geologist Tony Knight.

“The results of the Miles Government’s investment in detailed geotechnical engineering have delivered the best possible scenario for Queensland’s most important energy project,” he said.

“The quality of these core samples upholds the many years of preliminary assessments the Government has done across multiple locations, and is another win for Queensland’s Energy and Jobs Plan.

“I have said all along that this project will be delivered on time, and this is just further proof the characteristics of Queensland’s landscape mean this project will be fundamentally different to that of Snowy 2.0.

“Queensland Hydro advises me that due to the quality of these core samples, it opens up a broader range of options for the project’s design, and may also lead to an improved project schedule.

“The new Miles Government knows the future is in renewables, and this key project will mean Queensland will meet its newly legislated renewable energy targets – the targets that the LNP refused to enshrine into law.”