Tender opens for Great Artesian Basin water

Landholders and communities in southern Queensland are set to benefit from the release of water from the Great Artesian Basin Water Resource Plan area for agricultural and community use.

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps said the Department of Natural Resources and Mines will issue a tender on Thursday for up to 7200 megalitres of unallocated water from general reserves identified in the Water Resource Plan.

“This water is planned for release in the Surat, Surat East and Surat North management areas of the Basin,” Mr Cripps said.

“It strikes the right balance between economic development and the responsible and sustainable management of our water resources.

“Licences will be granted based on a strict set of criteria and a reserve price that ensures these precious water resources are valued by irrigators and are used efficiently.

“I expect that the Department will be in a position to make offers to successful tenderers by the end of 2013.

“This release process builds on the Newman Government’s commitment to support and grow Queensland’s agricultural sector as one of the key pillars of the State economy.”

Mr Cripps said the unallocated water subject to tender will comprise:

• Surat Management Area
• 3000 ML from the Surat 6 Management Unit
• 2000 ML from the Surat 7 Management Unit
• Surat East Management Area
• 1000 ML from the Surat East 3 Management Unit
• 1000 ML from the Surat East 4 Management Unit
• Surat North Management Area
• 100 ML from the Surat North 2 Management Unit
• 100 ML from the Surat North 3 Management Unit.

“These volumes were determined by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines through its water resource planning process and using the best available science,” he said.

“That process showed these volumes of water could be released while maintaining the environmental values of the Great Artesian Basin and the security of supply to existing water users.

Public information sessions about the release of unallocated water from the GAB will be held at:

• Chinchilla Cultural Centre – Monday, 17th June – 1pm to 4pm
• Roma Explorer’s Inn – Tuesday, 18th June – 9am to 12pm
• Golden Age Centre Goondiwindi – Wednesday, 19th June – 9am to 12pm

Interested parties can register their interest in attending an information session by telephoning (07) 4529 1412.

Further information about the tender process, including the sale notice and associated forms, will be available online at www.dnrm.qld.gov.au and at the Department’s regional office in Toowoomba from Thursday 30 May, 2013.

The closing date for tender applications is 5.00 pm on Friday 26 July 2013.

[ENDS] 28 May 2013

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