NEW WATER PLAN PROVIDES A STRONG FUTURE FOR QUEENSLAND’S SOUTH-WEST

Local communities in south-west Queensland are set for strong and sustainable economic growth thanks to a new water plan developed by the Palaszczuk Government.

The new plan covers an extensive area of south west Queensland from Bollon in the east through to Thargomindah in the west and from just south of Tambo in the north through to Hungerford on the Queensland-New South Wales border.

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dr Anthony Lynham said the new Warrego, Bulloo, Paroo and Nebine Water Resource Plan 2016 ticked all the boxes for a strong future for the south west.

“This science-based plan addresses important issues like new water for sustainable development, water security for existing users and opportunities for indigenous people,” Dr Lynham said.

“This plan was developed following extensive consultation and includes input from other stakeholders such as the Northern Basin Aboriginal Nations, traditional owners and the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.

“At the election the Palaszczuk Government committed to being a consultative government that listened and today we continue to uphold that commitment.”

The new plan will:

  •  Establish a reserve of unallocated groundwater to support small-scale irrigation, stock and domestic requirements
  • provide small reserves of unallocated surface water to traditional owners with opportunities for them to pursue commercial ventures
  • give balance between increased agricultural production and environmental protection
  • is the first to be prepared in line with Murray Darling Basin Plan requirements.

Dr Lynham said that this was the first time groundwater had been managed in the Warrego, Bulloo, Paroo and Nebine catchments.

“Management of groundwater resources will deliver better security of supply for existing water users and provide better protections for our most precious natural resource,” he said.

“New and rigorous scientific understanding has led to the development of improved environmental flow objectives to help protect the diverse and complex aquatic ecosystems in the plan area.

“This includes waterholes, floodplain wetlands, vegetation, native fish, invertebrates and reptiles from any possible impacts of water resource management decisions.”

To read the new plan visit https://www.dnrm.qld.gov.au/ and use the ‘I’m looking for’ tab.

EDS: Print and online map of the water plan area is available at: The DNRM Media Centre

 

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