Cape York water resources available to new irrigators

Published Monday, 26 May, 2014 at 03:25 PM

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines
The Honourable Andrew Cripps

Farmers on Cape York Peninsula will benefit from the removal of a moratorium by the Queensland Government which blocked new water uses from accessing Cape York’s water resources for irrigation.

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps said he had a strong plan for the future of Cape York’s water resources, with the removal of the moratorium creating opportunities for economic development in the region.

“The LNP Government committed at the 2012 election to support and grow agriculture as one of Queensland’s four economic pillars,” Mr Cripps said.

“The former Labor Government stood in the way of new water users from utilising this valuable resource productively in the Cape, due to their 'lock it up' mentality.

“We are reducing red tape and regulation to unlock development opportunities in the Cape, with the removal of the moratorium being the first important step.

“This decision will not impact on existing water license holders, but will enable new water users to access water resources and pursue development opportunities.”

Mr Cripps said the Department of Natural Resources and Mines was finalising a Cape York Water Strategy.

“This new strategy will provide certainty and confidence for water users from all sectors of the Cape York community,” he said.

“It will identify government actions to support water related development opportunities and safeguard future community water supply needs.

“The strategy will act as a catalyst for water related economic development in the Cape through new water resource planning activities.”

The Cape York Water Strategy will cover the Archer, Coleman, Ducie, Embley, Endeavour, Holroyd, Jacky Jacky, Jardine, Jeannie, Lockhart, Normanby, Olive-Pascoe, Stewart, Watson and Wenlock basins.

[ENDS] 26 May 2014

Media contact: Eleisha Rogers 3719 7370