Tuesday July 24, 2012

North-West Queensland farmers and irrigation project stakeholders have praised the LNP State Government for doubling the amount of water previously permitted to be held in general reserve in the Flinders River Catchment.

The Water Resource (Gulf) Plan 2007 now includes 80,000 megalitres of unallocated water held in general reserve in the Flinders River Catchment, and 15,000 megalitres held in general reserve in the Gilbert River Catchment.

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps made the announcement while attending the Northern Outback Irrigators Forum in Hughenden today (Tuesday March 24).

It was the next major step after Federal Minister for Northern Development Simon Crean (who also attended this forum) and Queensland Premier Anna Bligh jointly announced funding of $10m to progress the development of sustainable irrigation on the Flinders River and Gilbert Rivers in December last year.  This announcement included 40,000 megalitres of unallocated water to be released to general reserve in the Flinders River Catchment area.

The idea of irrigation from the Flinders River was put to a halt in 2001 after the Beattie Government put a moratorium on development and decided to implement a water resource plan for the Gulf rivers.

Grazier and Flinders Shire Acting Mayor Ninian Stewart-Moore, from Dunluce west of Hughenden, said he had been coming to meetings about irrigating the river for the last 30 years but that this was the first time it looked like progress was being made.

Mr Cripps said the unallocated water would enhance the development of sustainable irrigation in the Gulf Water Resource Plan Area, including the Flinders River Agricultural Precinct.

He said the volumes of water being released met the requirements of the Gulf Water Resource Plan and could support the irrigation of up to 10,000 hectares of land.

“This decision strikes the right balance between economic development and responsible management of our water resources,” Mr Cripps said.

“Water licences granted through this process will include conditions to protect existing rights to water and the region’s environmental, cultural, tourism and fisheries values.’’

Individual proponents will be able to access no more than 40 per cent of the volume being released from a single catchment, so that multiple users can gain access.

Mr Cripps said the department would grant water licences based on certain criteria and would set a reserve price which ensured State-owned natural resource assets such as water were sold to private interests for a fair price.

While farmers still want more water allocated, Mr Cripps said it was essential to see a positive response from farmers and success from the farming techniques applied before further progress was made.

``What we need is sustainable long term irrigation,’’ he said.

``In the past we have seen licences obtained that have become useless and then large amounts of money spent by government to buy them back.’’

More than 100 people attended the Northern Outback Irrigators Forum, which included a field trip of Silver Hills Station north of Richmond – an already successful irrigator and the only cotton farmer in the region.

The region is currently mostly beef grazing land and crop farming experts spoke to forum attendees about the need for crop diversification to minimise risk and long term critical mass to support economic prosperity.  While there was a large emphasis on cotton production, wheat, corn, rice, chickpeas, mungbeans, and soya beans were also favourably mentioned.

Advice on how to gain scientific and financial support to begin the crop farming process, as well as practical information on both aspects, was presented to the largely farming forum audience.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry John McVeigh also attended the Northern Outback Irrigators Forum and said the Newman Government wanted to unlock the potential of Northern Queensland.

“DAFF will refocus its work to ensure producers get help to develop their irrigation business within the constraints of the current Water Resource Plan,” Mr McVeigh said.

“DAFF staff must be focussed on frontline services and show their passion for agriculture when they engage with industry and individuals.”

Information about the release process, including the sale notice and associated forms, will be available online at www.nrm.qld.gov.au and at the department’s regional offices in Ayr, Cairns and Mareeba from 26 July 2012. The closing date for receipt of tenders is 28 September 2012.

For more information about the Northern Outback Irrigators Forum contact Flinders Shire Council Acting Mayor Ninian Stewart-Moore on 0414 311 516.

Or Jane Paterson 0417 281 754 (Minister Cripps) or Jacinta Cummins 0408 709 160 (Minister McVeigh).