Michelle Landry (Capricornia, National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

For 773 days, the communities of Eungella and the Pioneer Valley lived in the shadow of an impending environmental catastrophe. The previous state Labor government's Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro scheme was more than a misguided project; it was an assault on one of Australia's most ecologically diverse rainforests, a plan that threatened to scar the very heart of our region's natural beauty. This wasn't just an environmental disaster in the making; it was a fiscal sham. The former Premier's agenda would have drained Queensland taxpayers of a staggering $36 billion, all in the name of ideological policy.

But our communities didn't stand by and watch; we fought with every fibre of our being. It was my honour to join the dedicated residents who refused to accept the twisted narratives fed to us by a government willing to trade our precious ecosystems for political gain. Together we fought their reckless disregard for our environment and our children's future. With over 12,000 voices united, our petition to save Eungella echoed across the state. Today I'm thrilled to announce that our hard work has paid off. Under the leadership of the LNP Crisafulli government, the nightmare of the Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro scheme is now just that: a bad dream that will never see the light of day. We stood together, we persevered and we saved Eungella.