Flexibility and security for water users

Irrigators will be able to grow their businesses further after the Queensland Government approved trading in water allocations throughout the Condamine and Balonne catchments.

The move was made through an amendment to the Condamine and Balonne Resource Operations Plan.

Natural Resources Minister Andrew Cripps said the Queensland Government had a strong plan to drive economic growth and opportunities in regional Queensland.

“The agriculture sector requires flexibility and water security in order for this key pillar of the Queensland economy to grow,” Mr Cripps said.

“The introduction of tradeable water allocations this week means water users can now buy or sell water permanently or temporarily to suit their business needs, which is particularly important for industry within the Murray-Darling Basin catchments.”

The amendments to the water plan will create more than 200 new tradeable water allocations in the Gowrie and Oakey Creek system and will bring water users in to line with the rest of the Condamine and Balonne catchment.

The amended water plan also ensures water users can benefit from water discharged by the Wetalla Water Reclamation Facility subject to arrangements being agreed between landowners and Toowoomba Regional Council.

Mr Cripps said his Department received a number of submissions from water users in the Gowrie and Oakey Creek subcatchment which informed the drafting of the amendment to the plan.

“Water users made a valuable contribution during the development of the amendments and I thank everyone who participated in the consultation process,” he said.

Further information on the amendments is available at http://www.dnrm.qld.gov.au/water/catchments-planning/catchments/condamine-balonne

[ENDS] 21 August 2014

Media contact: Eleisha Rogers 0413 375 088