Irrigators on the northern Tablelands are looking for more water via temporary transfer as the level of Tinaroo Dam drops to below half.
Earlier this week, the dam was at 47.6 per cent capacity.
While horticultural and sugar growers, who make up the bulk of irrigators on the Mareeba Dimbulah Irrigation Area (MDIA), are relying on long-term forecasts for above average rainfall, some are looking to purchase more water to get them through summer.
Joe Moro, chairman of the Mareeba and District Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, said the dam’s low levels were a concern.
Sunwater announced 70 pc water allocations for the 2016/17 water year – the first time its dropped below 90 pc in many years.
“Hopefully there will be inflows and we will get an above average rainfall for the next few months,” Mr Moro said. “The timing of rain is always an issue, particularly for harvest but we are looking for a good wet season to put us back to a better position.”
Mr Moro said some growers had reported only having enough water allocation left until the end of the year.
“There is a lot of worry out there amongst farmers,” Mr Moro said.
“The interest in temporary transfer has been intensifying over the last three to four years. We are now entering a period of restricted water allocations and high demand.”
Tableland Canegrowers administers a water trading register on behalf of the MDIA Council.
“The register is a free service which matches allocation holders who wish to temporary transfer, lease or permanently trade water allocation with potential purchasers,” Tableland Canegrowers manager Bronwyn Dwyer said.
“Last water year in excess of 1500 megalitres was temporary transferred through the register, with the price anywhere between $50 to $90 per megalitre.”
Ms Dwyer said currently, there was demand for more than 2000 megalitres for temporary transfer.
Mr Moro said water usage had been steadily increasing by three to four per cent every year.
“Last year’s water usage was 84 pc of the water allocated,” Mr Moro said. “In 6 to 7 years we will be close to using 100 pc of the water allocated in a dry year.”
Water woes raise questions about reliable supplies and while Nullinga Dam is an option hotly debate, Mr Moro said other options like modernising the existing irrigation scheme should be considered.
“While efficiencies have been made, there’s more that can be looked at so we don’t lose water out of the scheme. The industry has pushed modernising the scheme for several years but it’s the less glamorous option.”
