Draft Wet Tropics Water Plan released for public comment

A draft plan to establish a robust water allocation and management framework for the Wet Tropics region was released by the Queensland Government today.

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Andrew Cripps, said the draft plan would balance agricultural, environmental, Indigenous and community water needs. 

“The draft plan allows for the continued use of all existing entitlements and authorised works to take surface water and groundwater,” Mr Cripps said.

“The draft plan defines water allocation security objectives and clearly specifies entitlements and environmental flow objectives.

“It also provides for the protection of water dependant ecosystems and improved monitoring strategies to establish how effectively the plan’s outcomes are being achieved.”

Mr Cripps said the draft plan allowed for water trading opportunities in priority areas in the Mulgrave-Russell, Johnstone, Tully and Herbert catchments.

“Under the draft plan reserves of unallocated water would be established to provide for future growth and development in all sectors of the plan area,” he said.

“Groundwater resources in the Mossman and Cairns Coast declared sub-artesian areas would continue to be managed, and six new groundwater management areas would be created in the Mulgrave, Johnstone, Tully and Herbert catchments.

“A mechanism would also be created to consider amending the plan if there is a major change in circumstances relating to water demands or environmental requirements.

“Preparation of the Wet Tropics draft resource operations plan, containing the day-to-day management rules consistent with the strategies and outcomes of the final Wet Tropics water resource plan, has also commenced.”

Mr Cripps said the plan was developed using hydrologic, socio-economic and environmental technical assessments.

“The technical assessments contain scientific data that underpins the draft plan’s strategies,” he said.

“DNRM also undertook an extensive public consultation process, with Departmental officers conducting more than 75 public and one-on-one meetings with local water users and interest groups, regional bodies, peak body groups and  government agencies to discuss issues relevant to the draft plan.

“A community reference panel including was established and included industry and community stakeholders, which I met with in April 2012, and I thank them for providing their time and valuable feedback, because their report has shaped this draft plan.

“Public information sessions will be held in each catchment in the plan area.”

DNRM is now seeking public comment on the plan and interested people have until 5.00pm on 15 May 2013 to make a comment.

Written submissions can be made to the Chief Executive, Attention: Sandy Turchet, Department of Natural Resources and Mines PO Box 156 Mareeba Qld 4880.

Submissions can also be faxed to (07) 4092 2366, made through the DNRM website  www.nrm.qld.gov.au/wrp/wet_tropics.html or emailed to WRPWetTropics@dnrm.qld.gov.au

Details of the draft plan are also available on the website at www.nrm.qld.gov.au/wrp/wet_tropics.html

Public information sessions will be held at the following venues:

Ingham – Tyto Centre, McIwraith Street, Tuesday 9 April 2013, 6.30pm to 8.30pm;

Tully – Tully Sugar Hall, Mill Reserve, Wednesday 10 April 2013, 6.30pm to 8.30pm;

Innisfail – Senior Citizen Hall, Corner of Lily Street and Owens Street, Thursday 11 April 2013, 6.30pm to 8.30pm;

Ravenshoe – Ravenshoe Town Hall Grigg Street, Tuesday 16 April 2013, 6.30pm to 8.30pm;

Malanda – Malanda Lodge, Millaa Millaa Road, Wednesday 17 April 2013, 10.00am to 12.00pm;

Gordonvale – Gordonvale Community Hub, 17/19 Cannon Street, Thursday 18 April 2013, 10.00am to 12.00pm;

Mossman –  Mossman Bowls Club, 6-8 Johnstone Road, Friday 19 April 2013, 10.00am to 12.00pm.

[ENDS] 28 March, 2013

Media contact: Jane Paterson 0417 281 754 or Paul Sutherland 0428 868 237