PRIMARY producers will have access to 990,000 megalitres of water that has been held in strategic reserves across Queensland.
New laws passed in parliament last week give farmers temporary access to the previously locked down water supplies for up to three years.
Natural Resources Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the changes would mean water which had been reserved for future infrastrucutre like dams and weirs would be made available for primary producers.
“The state’s 23 water plans currently set aside about 990,000 megalitres of water as strategic infrastructure reserves,” Dr Lynham said.
“Under the changes passed today, water can be released for up to three years for productive uses.
“This is a win-win: it frees up unused water to support short-term economic development opportunities, predominantly in regional Queensland, while ensuring water availability for future dams.”
Catchments with the largest reserves include the Burdekin, Mary and Fitzroy Basin.
The Queensland Farmers’ Federation welcomed the new laws, saying it would benefit high value agriculture.
QFF President Stuart Armitage said the changes would ensure farmers would be able to make use of unutilised water and help drive the agriculture sector forward.
“QFF has long advocated for Queensland’s strategic water reserves to be made available to farmers and allow them to capitalise on the existing infrastructure opportunities,” Mr Armitage said.
“But critical to the success of this initiative is the issue of decreasing water affordability.”
Mr Armitage said it was critical that the water was made available at costs that reflect its short-term availability, any seasonal conditions of supply, the additional costs that farmers may face in establishing on farm infrastructure and the high electricity costs of pumping.
“For Queensland to continue producing world class food, fibre and foliage, agriculture must have access to reliable and affordable water.”
Cotton Australia’s General Manager, Michael Murray said the legislation is good news for regional communities.
“Having this water become available will stimulate regional employment and boost the economic activity in towns that often bear the brunt of drought and prolonged dry spells,” Mr Murray said.
“Our cotton communities in Queensland will welcome this news, and I expect there will be immediate interest among growers in the Dawson Valley in taking on these leases.
“There is a significant infrastructure reserve in the Dawson Valley, with water set aside for the long-proposed Nathan Dam.”
LNP natural resources spokesman Dale Last said while he welcomed the move to open up water resources, it did not negate the high electricity costs associated with pumping the water.
“The Liberal National Party have been very vocal about the need to use our existing water resources more efficiently to further develop agriculture in Queensland.
“While this Bill does some good in opening up water resources in various regions, it still doesn’t fix the fundamental issue that farmers across Queensland still aren’t accessing their existing allocations because the high electricity costs involved in pumping.”
A Department of Natural Resources Mines and Energy spokeswoman said it was important that water was released in ares where there was both the demand and access.
As such, she said the department would work with stakeholders including QFF to identify demand and to undertake further modelling and assessment.
Land owners who live within an area of strategic infrastructure reserve can register an expression of interest in accessing the water by emailing uaw@dnrme.qld.gov.au.
