The Palaszczuk Government has released a new strategy aimed at improving access to unused water allocations for irrigators.
Minister for Water, Glenn Butcher said that the launch of the Queensland Water Markets Optimisation strategy would allow water users to either find more water to grow their business or sell their unused water to those that could benefit from it.
"Even in the driest of years, many water users aren't using all their available water." Mr Butcher said.
"Getting this water moving will create great opportunities for both buyers and sellers, while also providing a boost to regional economies."
Each year, nearly 1 million megalitres of allocated water goes unused – more than 3 times the annual allocations from Wivenhoe dam.
"We know there is a demand for this water, so by getting the most out of unused water we can maximise the benefits from our water supply infrastructure and resources, as well as protecting our rivers and streams."
Mr Butcher said that the strategy had been formed through extensive consultation which helped devise a series of targeted actions to deliver real and necessary improvements in partnership with key stakeholders.
"Our first steps will be to make it easier for water users to use the water market so that it can grow by providing more transparent trading information and helping users connect with water brokerage services.
"By increasing visibility of water market information availability and providing interactive mapping of water trading opportunities, we will improve the opportunities of this water being used to its full potential."
To learn more about the Queensland Water Markets Optimisation and how to participate in water market trading please click here.
