Funds available to help landholders save water in Great Artesian Basin

Queensland landholders in the Great Artesian Basin can now apply for funds to cap and pipe bores in the state’s section of the underground freshwater resource.

Round one opens today for water infrastructure improvements in the Great Artesian Basin.

Minister for Water Glenn Butcher said landholders can apply to cover up to 90 per cent of costs for projects that contribute to water savings in Queensland’s Great Artesian Basin.

“Right now, we are losing around 80,000 megalitres of water each year from free flowing bores, most with open bore drains”, Mr Butcher said.

“Since 1989, the Queensland Government has invested $80 million in programs to cap and pipe stock and domestic bores in the Queensland portion of the Great Artesian Basin.

“Together with private investors and the Commonwealth Government, the total investment is more than $220 million.

“Over the past 30 years, this water-saving program has returned an estimated 213,000 megalitres of water back into the basin every year by capping more than 717 bores to control water flow and replacing 14,600 kilometres of open bore drain with pipes.”

This latest funding will go towards on-property projects that involve managing water flow by rehabilitating or replacing bores, and replacing open bore drains with pipes, tanks and troughs.

Landholders can apply for funding of up-to 90 per cent of the total project cost.

Under round 1, landholders have until 16 July 2021 to apply for project funds with a second round opening from 16 August to 19 November 2021.

The funding – provided by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments and private investors – is part of The Great Artesian Basin Rehabilitation Program (GABRP) that supports water saving projects in Queensland’s section of the Great Artesian Basin. GABRP aligns with the Commonwealth’s Improving Great Artesian Basin Drought Resilience program.

Landholders can access further information online or by emailing GABPMO@rdmw.qld.gov.au.

[ENDS]

Media contact: Daniel Lato 0438 891 158