The laborious process of allocating water from the Flinders, Gregory, Leichhardt, Norman and Nicholson river catchments moved another step forward in October when the state government offered water licences with a combined annual volume of 107,000 megalitres to eight tenderers from Cloncurry, Richmond, Hughenden and other northern Gulf areas.
Natural Resources and Mines Minister Anthony Lynham said offers had been to a range of people, from small rural producers to potential larger ventures.
“Economic development and job opportunities in north west Queensland are now one step closer,” he said.
According to a departmental spokesman, tenderers had until the close of business on Monday to accept and pay deposits. If any were declined, offers may then be made to other eligible tenderers.
Flinders mayor Jane McNamara was aware of two offers made in the top reach of the Flinders River, which she said would be good if they came to fruition.
“I think they exceeded expectations but we have to wait and see,” she said.
Dr Lyneham said any water licences would include conditions to protect the catchments’ environmental values and existing water users.
“Flow thresholds will ensure that peak flows continue to provide ecological benefits to waterholes, floodplains, estuaries and the important Gulf fisheries,” he said.
At the same time he said the Palaszczuk government had committed to unlocking access to water in the north west to support sustainable agriculture, rural industry jobs and local development.
Dr Lynham said the next release of water would commence next year from the Gilbert catchment in the Far North .
The government was subject to strong criticism from the opposition in August 2015 when it announced water entitlements for the Flinders and Gilbert Rivers but said Gilbert River catchment reserves wouldn’t be made available until after the environmental impact assessment process for the proposed Integrated Food and Energy Development project had been completed.
That project has since been suspended, when the government declined to extend the environmental approval process past September 5.
Katter's Australian Party was dismissive of the amended Gulf Water Resource Plan last year, calling it "corporate farming".
KAP leader and Kennedy MP Bob Katter said Gulf and mid-west people would not stand by and allow water resources to be allocated to corporate farming.
"The minister I think will do the right thing, but he has to understand that to date the corporate and environmentalist cart has been put in front of the interests of the people that live in the Gulf.”