- 4,923 megalitres of water has been saved in the 2025/26 financial year from work completed by the Great Artesian Basin Rehabilitation Program.
- 30 bores have been rehabilitated, seven controlled watering systems have been installed and 150 km of bore drains have been replaced.
- This delivers on the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments' commitment to improve water security across Queensland.
The Albanese and Crisafulli Governments are proud to support the continued joint work of the Great Artesian Basin Rehabilitation Program with 4,923 megalitres of water saved in the 2025-26 financial year.
Funded by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments and industry partners, the program works in partnership with landholders and communities to improve infrastructure, preserve artesian pressure, and reduce water loss.
This financial year, 30 bores have been rehabilitated, seven controlled watering systems have been installed and 150 km of bore drains replaced, resulting in 4,923 ML of water being saved every year.
Through the lifetime of the program, 809 uncontrolled artesian bores have been rehabilitated replacing more than 15,542 kilometres of bore drains with efficient piping systems.
These efforts have resulted in water savings close to 232,000 ML per annum and significant pressure improvement across the basin, restoring springs and previously ceased-to-flow artesian bores.
Next year an expected $9.7 million in funding will be delivered to 36 projects in the basin with additional projected water savings of 4,960 ML per annum. Six of these projects include the installation of controlled water systems, replacing 138 km of bore drains with 242 km of controlled water systems.
The Great Artesian Basin supplies water to more than 80 regional Queensland towns and supports industries including grazing, cropping, feedlots, mining, tourism and geothermal power. Together, these industries contribute more than $22.6 billion to the State's economy each year.
Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt, said investment in the Great Artesian Basin was an investment in the future of Australia.
"The Great Artesian Basin is one of the largest underground freshwater resources in the world and a critical pillar to Australia's water security," Minister Watt said.
"In a climate like ours, every drop is precious.
"Through 27 years of close collaboration and joint funding with all 4 Basin Governments, we are reducing water wastage and securing long-term water supply for communities and the environment.
"This year alone, our works have seen almost 5,000 ML saved across Queensland and South Australia – keeping this water in the ground for the benefit of our environment.
"The Albanese Government will continue to work closely with my state counterparts to build on our success, ensuring those that rely on the Great Artesian Basin can be confident in their water supply for generations to come."
Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy said the Crisafulli Government was delivering better services through a stronger economy and this year's outcomes build on the enduring success of the rehabilitation program and all that it has achieved since its inception in 1989.
"It is our responsibility to protect the Great Artesian Basin, it is one of our most valuable natural water producing assets," Minister Leahy said.
"The Crisafulli Government is committed to upgrading key infrastructure, improving water pressure and reducing the unnecessary loss of water across the basin.
"The Great Artesian Basin Rehabilitation Program is an incredible program of work that has been delivering for Queensland for more than 35 years – it's a great example of what happens when governments, industry partners and communities work together to get things right.
"This is a direct investment in water security for farmers and regional communities who rely upon the Great Artesian Basin. We're delivering real results to safeguard this resource, with benefits that will be felt by generations to come.
