Surat Basin water release to boost local industry

Local industry in the Surat Basin will benefit from the release of 785 megalitres of unallocated water reserves by the Newman Government.

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps said 11 successful tenderers would share the water in the Surat, Surat East and Surat North management areas of the Great Artesian Basin Water Resource Plan area.

“This release of available water will support rural industries including feedlots, poultry farms and hard rock quarries in the Surat Basin,” Mr Cripps said.

“It delivers on the Newman Government’s commitment to support and grow agriculture as one of Queensland’s four economic pillars.

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

AgForce General President Ian Burnett welcomed the allocation of water from the Surat Basin.

“AgForce strongly supports the Queensland Government in its efforts to make unallocated water reserves available to assist further expansion of agriculture and its value chain in Queensland,” Mr Burnett said.

“Such development depends on having secure, reliable and sustainable supplies of water.

“The Government’s water resource planning and allocation process ensures that these releases are environmentally sound, do not impact on existing water users and can deliver an economic boost for rural communities looking to manage the ongoing impacts of drought.”

The 785 megalitres in water reserves being released under licence include:

• Surat Management area – 3 successful tenderers totalling 200 megalitres
• Surat East Management area – 5 successful tenderers totalling 505 megalaitres
• Surat North Management area– 3 successful tenderers totalling  80 megalitres

The Department of Natural Resources and Mines will investigate whether further unallocated water reserves in the Surat, Surat East and Surat North management areas should be made available for release in the future.

More information about water resource planning in the Great Artesian Basin Water Resource Plan area is available online at: www.dnrm.qld.gov.au

[ENDS] 02 May 2014

Media contact:  Eleisha Rogers 0413 375 088