It has been described as the most unique site in the world for a massive power project, but for dozens of families it also means they no longer have a future in a pristine part of Queensland.
The state government's announcement of a five-gigawatt pumped hydro project in the Pioneer Valley, west of Mackay, has come as a shock to residents, the local mayor, and parliamentarians.
Some say they thought it was a late April Fool's joke when they were told that their land would be flooded and turned into a reservoir.
Others are disappointed that they only found out about the potential impact on their properties when the Premier made the public announcement a week ago.
If it goes ahead, about 50 properties in Netherdale may have to be resumed with several in the Eungella area, also known as the Land of Clouds.
"Everyone is shell shocked — I learnt about it on the news and then I went to town the next day and everyone asked me if I was getting dammed, and I said, 'What dam?'" Netherdale resident Michael Seymour says.
"I thought they were talking about [the proposed] Urannah Dam and I think it was very gutless, the way they come about it, and very rude too."
Mr Seymour, also known as Lizard, stands to lose his whole cattle property, maintenance and equipment sheds, and his home.
"No matter where you put it, someone is going to be affected, and the concept of pumped hydro, I'm not against it, but I think everyone's jumping the gun a little bit too much," he says.
'Where do all the people go?'
In the days after the announcement, the Eungella and Netherdale communities have held meetings to discuss how to deal with the news.
Some raised concerns about anxiety and mental health with a now uncertain future.
Belinda Provera's family has lived in the region for more than 25 years and they will also lose their "piece of paradise" if the project goes ahead.
"We've raised six kids there, got married there, that's our future, our forever home," Ms Provera says.
"We've basically had to stop our plans and we had a lot … we feel powerless, like everything you've put in there is just for nothing, and is going to be underwater."
Angela Trusz says it does not just affect the Pioneer Valley.
"Where do all the people go?" she says.
"We have so many homeless people in Mackay and so many people can't even rent a house … where are these people going to relocate to?"
For Ron Pearson, the lack of information about what it all means is what's upset him the most.
He, like several others, feels the project is not feasible and the announcement has caused unnecessary distress.
"Hey, if it made sense to me, I'd say well tough bickies, we're in the wrong place, and we have to move on in the interests of the greater good for the people," he says.
"But this is sheer bloody ludicrous and there is no cheap power coming out of it all.
"They're talking about April before they'll be coming back with other ideas and propositions and I hope to hell by then it's been mothballed.
"It's a load of shit … I'm not an engineer but it doesn't stack up.
"When they do their studies, they'll find it's not feasible but who knows? Anything's possible, you can grow bananas in the Antarctic if you pay enough for it."
Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson and other councillors were only briefed on the plan by Queensland Hydro yesterday.
"Council has a very limited role in this, but it will be to make sure the social and environmental aspects are taken into account," he says.
"There will also be a huge economic benefit, it's about how do we balance that. Those are the really big questions.
"There are pros and cons and, for council, it's about our community."
Councillor Williamson says he understands there is a feeling of anxiety among residents, and the project is far from a "done deal".
Only 'desktop exercises' conducted so far
Much of the community ire about the project is the lack of consultation before it was announced.
Chris Evans from Queensland Hydro says they have teams on the ground to work through community concerns.
"If we came out and just announced a 5,000-megawatt project there'd be lots of questions, so it was important that it was given the appropriate context," he says.
"We're there to answer as many questions as we can and to talk through the process and timelines and give them as much certainty as we can at this stage."
Mr Evans says Eungella and Netherdale present an opportunity not available anywhere else in the world.
"What makes it so good is the vertical elevation between the lower and upper reservoir, there's a 700-metre difference," he says.
"And the distance between the upper reservoir and the lower reservoir, horizontally, is only 5km."
While the project has only been public knowledge for a week, work has been done in the background for an extended period to determine the best location.
Mr Evans concedes the bulk of the work has been "desktop exercises" with very preliminary site visits.
No detailed investigations have been done and there are still questions about the exact boundaries of the project.
An initial feasibility report is expected to take 18 months to complete.
The state election will be held in late 2024.
