New Water for Queensland map to strengthen economy

The Queensland economy will be strengthened and jobs created with the potential release of billions of litres of unallocated water reserves for future regional developments.

Natural Resources Minister Andrew Cripps visited Richmond today to announce the launch of the interactive online Water for Queensland map and to invite project backers to register their interest in accessing the unallocated water.

“The Newman Government is focused on creating jobs and opportunities by growing a four-pillar economy based on agriculture, resources, tourism and construction,” Mr Cripps said.

“Future water releases will enable us to grow Queensland’s agriculture, as well as resources sector projects and tourism ventures.”

Queensland has 1,321,543 megalitres of unallocated water held as general reserves in catchments that are managed through water resource plans.

Unallocated water is identified through scientific resource planning as water that can be made available at a future date without compromising the security of existing water users or environmental values within the catchment area.

“In the last two years the Newman Government has released more than 113, 000 megalitres of general reserve unallocated water available through three targeted release programs,” Mr Cripps said.

“This is the first time a state government has provided an opportunity for water users to register their interest in general reserve unallocated water across the state simultaneously.”

Mr Cripps said water users could register their interest quickly and easily online through the Water for Queensland map on the Department of Natural Resources and Mines website.

The interactive map will display the general reserve volumes of surface and sub-artesian groundwater available in each catchment or management area within the relevant water resource plan.

A tender process is already underway for up to 28,500 megalitres of unallocated water available in the Whitsunday Water Resource Plan area.

There will be a simple online form for people to register their interest in a future share of unallocated water.

The registration of interest process will provide the government with information to gauge the demand for new water; and to determine a priority program for future releases of unallocated water by competitive tender.

Water users have until 17 October 2014 to register their interest in unallocated water. The interactive Water for Queensland map and online registration of interest form are available at www.dnrm.qld.gov.au

[ENDS] 14 August 2014

Media contact: Kate Haddan 0418 373 516