Local management to improve water industry in rural Queensland

Chair positions for the local management of eight rural channel irrigation schemes in Queensland have been announced in a continued push to better control costs and efficiency of the State’s rural water industry at a local level.

Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply Mark Bailey said reliable and well managed water supply was vital to our rural communities and industries given that much of rural Queensland was drought affected.

“The people who know the most about their water supply are locals,” Mr Bailey said.

“Queensland’s recently announced 2016-17 state budget committed a further $6.9 million to provide total funding of $8.9 million for Stage 3 of the Local Management Arrangements Project.

“This stage involves agreeing to final terms for transitioning ownership and control of the Theodore, St George, Eton and Emerald schemes to local management and control.

“These changes will empower local communities and encourage the growth of Queensland’s agricultural industry.

“Local management is designed to use local knowledge and know how to reduce costs, increase productivity of the irrigation scheme, and add value to our agricultural sector.

“Locals from the Burdekin-Haughton, Mareeba and Lower Mary schemes are also carrying out further investigation and are preparing revised business proposals on how those schemes could operate under local management.

“The chair appointments for these eight regions are an important milestone for locally securing and managing reliable water supply,” Mr Bailey said.

The appointed chairs are

-           Annette Smith: Emerald

-           Geoff Kavanagh: Eton

-           Luke Stower: St George

-           Elizabeth Alexander: Theodore

-           Maurice Maughan: Bundaberg

-           Mario Barbagallo: Burdekin-Haughton

-           Joe Moro: Mareeba-Dimbulah

-           Mr Geoff Wormwell : Lower Mary    

The appointments of the remaining board members are currently being finalised. Mr Bailey said the Local Management Arrangements Project empowers local communities by allowing local growers to control key water infrastructure.

“This is a unique opportunity for the schemes that transition to local management to be owned and operated by their users, ensuring long-term productivity and contribution to our regional and rural economies,” Mr Bailey said.

The Palaszczuk Government committed to continuing the Local Management Arrangements Project at the election.

ENDS

Media contact:

Minister Bailey – Zoe Russell 0428 079 640