Early Notification Opportunity – Exploratory Tunnelling & Drilling, Borumba Pumped Hydro Project

Brief

Early Notification Opportunity – Exploratory Tunnelling & Drilling Borumba Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Project (PHES) | Queensland Hydro Purpose Queensland Hydro is providing early notice of an upcoming tender for the Exploratory Tunnelling and Drilling package for the Borumba PHES Project. The package includes a construct-only drill-and-blast exploration tunnel (temporary works) to support underground access and investigations, with IFC documentation issued by Queensland Hydro’s design team. Indicative Scope Excavate ~2 km of 5.5m x 6.0m tunnel, including primary support and temporary services. Complete underground drilling/investigations and install/monitor instrumentation. Provide complete data capture and handover to support the PHES design. Key Requirements Act as Principal Contractor and comply with Queensland Hydro HSE, quality and project controls. Meet all environmental approvals/permit conditions, including CEMP (Construction Environmental Management Plan) implementation and monitoring/reporting. Provide structured reporting and use Queensland Hydro document management systems. Report local/SME participation and community benefit commitments in line with Queensland Government procurement policy. Indicative Timeframes Indicative program: mobilisation/portal readiness Nov–Dec 2026; excavation from Dec 2026; completion Dec 2027 (subject to approvals and tender outcomes). This is an early market notice only. Request for Tender is anticipated to be issued via VendorPanel on 21 April 2026. Interested parties should register and demonstrate capability in underground hard rock tunnelling within a regulated approvals environment.