The Home Hill Chamber meeting last Wednesday played host to a fiery debate, as Bowen Pipeline Company director Sean Brown briefed members on the all-but-finalised plans to run the Bowen Renewable Energy Pipeline through sections of the Burdekin, outlining proposed routes, landholder impacts and the project’s looming construction timeline.
The project centres on moving surplus water from the Burdekin River to the Bowen district, channelling it through a new pipeline network designed to support agriculture, industry and long-term water security in the region.
While the project’s scale impressed many in the room, others were quick to voice concerns about water security, with locals noting that the Burdekin Falls Dam has already experienced periods of extremely low flow, prompting fears the pipeline would be left competing for limited supply during dry years.
Cost also loomed large in the discussion, with several attendees questioning whether the projected on-farm price of water would be viable for existing growers already grappling with rising input costs and high electricity charges.
Despite these concerns, Brown emphasised the pipeline’s potential to deliver significant economic and community benefits. The $700 million project is expected to create around 200 jobs during construction and 1,200 full-time positions once operational, spanning horticulture, agriculture, tertiary trades and professional services. It would also provide the region with reliable water for the first time, supporting Bowen township, Gumlu, Guthalungra, and a horticultural sector that produces one-fifth of Australia’s vegetables.
Brown highlighted the use of world-leading HDPE pipe technology, which reduces carbon emissions and construction costs, and noted that Traditional Owners hold project equity—an Australian first—ensuring local participation in both decision-making and potential economic returns. He also pointed out that the project is largely privately funded, with a federal contribution in line with national water infrastructure programs, meaning it does not rely on direct state funding.
With state approval expected in the coming weeks, the next crucial step will be securing water allocations from Sunwater. Brown said uptake from local landholders will ultimately determine the pace of construction, signalling that the project’s success hinges on balancing ambitious regional growth with the practical realities of cost and water availability.
BPC Director Sean Brown, Home Hill Chamber President Uli Liessmann, Bowen Gumlu Growers Association President Carl Walker, and Home Hill Chamber Secretary Rob Antoniazzi. Photo credit: Jacob Casha
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