New Mary Basin water plan delivers for growers and region’s future

• A new Mary Basin water plan has been finalised after almost three years of community consultation and scientific assessment
• The plan will support growers, urban residents and the region’s natural heritage, wildlife and habitats
• The plan strikes the right balance between water for consumption – and water for the river system

The replacement Mary Basin water plan (2024) has been finalised, it sets out how much water is available for consumptive uses – and how much water needs to remain in the river system for the environment.

Improvements to water entitlements will better meet growers’ seasonal water needs and increase opportunities for water trading.

The water plan also supports future growth in the region, with 70,485 megalitres reserved as strategic unallocated water, including for Gympie and Fraser Coast Regional Councils’ future urban water needs.

Home to some of Queensland’s most iconic natural ecosystems, improved environmental flow and assessment strategies will support more sustainable outcomes, including freshwater flows to the Ramsar-listed Great Sandy Strait.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Water, Glenn Butcher:

“Our water plans are developed by the experts and I’m pleased to see the new Mary Basin water plan in place to provide long term certainty for water users across the Basin.

“The Mary Basin is an important food bowl, and I look forward to seeing growers continue to yield award-winning produce.

“The LNP keep promising dams, but the Mary Basin water plan and others like it in South-East Queensland make it clear there’s not enough water to support another dam without stealing from existing users. So, the LNP needs to come clean with growers and councils – whose water will you steal to build Deb’s dams?”

“The LNP has no idea when it comes to water. A lost decade in the Murray-Darling basin, where its only contribution to water management was to redirect money to the Cayman Islands. This from the same mob who promised 100 dams and delivered none.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Maryborough and Assistant Minister for Train Manufacturing, Regional Development and Jobs, Bruce Saunders:

“Maryborough continues to grow on the back of the new Miles Government’s investments. It’s so important we manage our water resources to make sure we have enough water to support that growth.

“The new Mary Basin water plan balances how much water we can take and how much water the system needs across the Basin and out to the Great Sandy Straits.

“I’m proud to be part of the Miles Government that continues to support councils with their urban water needs, including through our $2 million funding for the Fraser Coast Regional Council’s Teddington Water Treatment Plant Sludge Dewatering project.”

Further information:

Learn more about the Mary Basin water plan area.

ENDS

Media contact – Lizzy Aboud – 0474 811 004