The Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water is asking for early input from the community, including irrigators, First Nations peoples, and other key stakeholders, to help guide the Burdekin Basin water plan review.
With the current Burdekin water plan due to expire later this year, the Department will be working with relevant stakeholder and community groups to develop a replacement plan.
Executive Director North Region Ingrid Fomiatti-Minnesma said the review would need to take into account the changing needs of the environment and water users throughout the area.
“This is a continually evolving landscape and managing the water resources in this area is vital to supporting the region’s unique environment, cultural values, thriving industrial and agricultural sectors and economic growth opportunities,” Ms Fomiatti-Minnesma said.
“This is an area where demand for water is high. Balancing the needs of the environment with those of the irrigators, First Nations people, industry and mining, along with other key stakeholders, is complex and so feedback is vital,” she said.
To support the preliminary public consultation, a statement of proposals has been released which provides details on the changes to the water plan that are being considered.
“Public input during these early stages will be key to the development of the draft replacement water plan which we’ll be consulting further on in 2024,” Ms Fomiatti-Minnesma said.
The Queensland Government is collaborating with the Australian Government to undertake a strategic assessment of water infrastructure options.
“The matter is made even more complex when taking into account the water needs for potential projects such as pumped hydro schemes and various weirs and dams that have been proposed in this area,” she said.
Ms Fomiatti-Minnesma said that, once finalised, the Burdekin Basin water plan would be in place for 10 years and so it was important that the future landscape and water requirements were anticipated in the planning stage.
“We also have to consider climate change and looking at the best available science, including an array of hydrological modelling, to anticipate future needs.”
To make a submission visit the website here: https://www.rdmw.qld.gov.au/water/consultations-initiatives/burdekin-basin-water-plan
Preliminary public consultation is open now and closes on 5th May 2023.
Comments