- Crisafulli Government's Unlocking Water Project studies now complete for Gulf, Wet Tropics, Barron, Mitchell, Mary Basin, Condamine and Balonne, and Border Rivers and Moonie water plan areas.
- Project recommendations include releasing more than 92,057 ML of water across Queensland.
- Crisafulli Government is delivering on its election commitment to analyse all 23 Queensland water plans, after water sat idle during Labor's decade of decline.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering on a key election commitment with the release of the first seven Unlocking Water Project studies.
The studies found more than 90,000 megalitres (ML) of water that could be made available for release to support farming, agriculture and industry in Queensland.
Labor's decade of neglect towards our region's meant water was locked in unnecessary bureaucracy and unavailable for economic development.
Completion of these seven projects across the State marks strong progress towards the Crisafulli Government's election commitment to analyse all of Queensland's 23 water plans.
The Crisafulli Government continues to work on releasing underutilised water throughout Queensland through our Watertight Water Security Plan, just like we said we'd do.
Recommendations from studies highlight opportunities to cut red tape, support water trading and improve water access across plan areas, including:
Reviewing reserve volumes and releasing unallocated water in the Gulf, following the completion of the current water plan review and Regional Water Assessment.
Up to 15,400 ML of water available for agriculture in the Wet Tropics.
Up to 18,250 ML of water available for agriculture in the Barron.
Up to 55,000 ML of water available for agriculture in the Mitchell.
Up to 2,360 ML of water available in the Mary Basin.
Up to 660 ML of water available for agriculture in the Condamine and Balonne.
Up to 387 ML of water available for agriculture in the Border Rivers and Moonie.
Applications to access more water as part of the Mitchell water release are already being finalised.
Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy said the Unlocking Water Project outcomes would support stronger regional economies and growth for our agriculture industries.
"For the last decade under the previous Labor Government, water was sitting idle waiting years for allocation," Minister Leahy said.
"The Crisafulli Government has unlocked thousands of megalitres of water to drive growth and productivity, especially when we can take practical steps to make it more accessible for industry.
"This is just the beginning as we work to unlock more water potential to benefit communities and industries right across Queensland."
Member for Barron River Bree James said unlocking more water in the Barron would give farmers and local industries the certainty they need to grow and invest.
"For too long, our community has been held back by slow processes and inaction. The Crisafulli Government is getting on with the job and delivering real outcomes that support jobs, productivity and regional growth," Ms James said.
Member for Cook David Kempton highlighted the importance of water in his electorate.
"The Mitchell River represents a water resource opportunity for my electorate, and access to water is critical for the future of agriculture and regional communities in my electorate," Mr Kempton said.
Member for Maryborough John Barounis said the release of additional water in the Mary Basin was a strong outcome for our local communities and industry.
"Unlocking more water in the Mary Basin gives growers and businesses the certainty they need to plan, invest and grow while cutting red tape and making better use of existing resources," Mr Barounis said.
Member for Nicklin Marty Hunt said the Unlocking Water Project was delivering practical action with real benefits for Nicklin locals.
"This common-sense approach makes better use of existing resources, supports jobs and regional economies, and ensures water is directed where it delivers the greatest long-term benefit while maintaining sustainability," Mr Hunt said.
To learn more about the Unlocking Water Project, visit https://www.dlgwv.qld.gov.au/water/unlocking-water-project
