Crisafulli Government to unlock more water across Queensland

• Submissions are open to register interest in unallocated water across seven Queensland water plan areas.
• Water plan areas include the Barron, Wet Tropics, Burdekin, Mary Basin, Great Artesian Basin, Border Rivers and Moonie, Condamine and Balonne.
• Expressions of Interest will inform the demand to release unallocated water to drive regional growth. 

The Crisafulli Government is calling for expressions of interest to unlock new water across seven of Queensland’s water plan areas in a bid to drive regional growth, agricultural development and long-term water security. 

Expressions of interest will be open to irrigators and agricultural producers who need more water to operate or expand across the Barron, Wet Tropics, Burdekin, Mary Basin, Great Artesian Basin, Border Rivers and Moonie, Condamine and Balonne water plan areas. 

The Criasfulli Crisafulli Government is unlocking water to drive economic growth, more jobs and stronger regional communities after Labor left billions of litres of water tied up in bureaucracy.  

The unallocated water is set aside as part of the plans to help accommodate future releases, without affecting the resource available for current users, cultural values or the environment.  

The unlocking of water across Queensland is part of the Crisafulli Government's Watertight Water Security Plan, which will reverse years of mismanagement by the former Labor Government who failed for a decade to invest in any major water infrastructure projects. 

Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy said the Crisafulli Government remained committed to making more water available across the state after Labor left it locked up for a decade. 

“Our government knows there is interest in accessing unallocated water across these regions and this is one of the steps we are taking to help deliver long-term water security for Queensland,” Minister Leahy said.  

“This is an opportunity not only for farmers, but also other agricultural water users, or those with interests in industrial, urban water security or community uses, to assess their needs and put forward a proposal. 

“This is about restoring faith in government decision-making and backing the people who know how to get things done. 

“The Crisafulli Government is committed to making primary industry a $30 billion industry by 2030 – we trust our farmers and industries and we’re backing them to thrive.” 

Submissions are open until 31 August 2025. 

For more information and to register interest, visit: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/mining-energy-water/water/catchments-planning/unallocated-water/eoi  

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Kate Haddan 0437 334 769