By Nikki Sorbello

ABC Wide Bay

Topic: Renewable Energy

Monday, June 29, 2026, at 7:23 am

A gold mine near Mount Perry was to be turned into a hydro project.

In short:

The Queensland government will not turn a gold mine into a renewable energy project.

The project was part of the government's Energy Roadmap.

What's next?

The mine operator will look for private investors to fund the project.

The government will not turn the Mt Rawdon gold mine into a hydro project.

The project was to be a hydro energy storage facility near Bundaberg.

The mine operator's chairman, Jake Klein, said the Queensland Investment Corporation reviewed the project.

Jake Klein is reassessing the future of the Mount Rawdon mine.

The government has other priorities, like the Borumba hydro project.

The company was surprised and disappointed by the decision.

The government will invest in the Borumba project instead.

The Borumba project will cost $18.4 billion and power 2 million homes.

The project needs seven dams, including a big reservoir.

The government will not turn the Mt Rawdon mine into a hydro project.

The Borumba project is a better option for the government.

The Mt Rawdon project would use the mine's topography to generate power.

The government will also review other hydro projects, like the Capricornia project.

The Queensland Investment Corporation assessed the hydro projects.

The QIC will not share its findings with the public.

The mine's future is uncertain.

The mine operator is looking at other options for the site.

The company might find private investors to fund the project.

The mine operator will finish processing the remaining gold and then decide what to do next.

ABC Wide Bay has local news.

Monday, June 29, 2026, at 7:23 am

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