Burdekin Basin general reserve

Current status

We’re reviewing all expressions of interest (EOI) received. We'll use this information in conjunction with the water plan requirements to determine the best way for unallocated water (UAW) to be released within the catchment.

Next steps

The EOI process demonstrated a clear demand for unallocated water (UAW) from subcatchment area E within the Burdekin Basin water plan area (see map below).

We've commenced a review of all information received to understand the locations of the demand, the types of water products and determine how new water can be made available to support irrigated agriculture in subcatchment area E.

This information will be used by the unlocking water project to identify opportunities to make more water available to support industries including agriculture in the Burdekin Basin water plan area. A report will be made available in mid 2026 on recommendations which are expected to inform how we release UAW.

We'll continue to engage with those who submitted an EOI, community members and other key stakeholders throughout 2026 to keep them informed when and how UAW is made available.

The information from the EOI process and the unlocking water project will also be used to inform the Burdekin Basin water plan review.

You are still able to submit your interest at any time and make an application for new water should a release be made.

  • A call for EOIs in the general reserve UAW from subcatchment area E of the Burdekin Basin ran for 4 months from 30 June 2025. The general UAW reserve comprises 130,000ML of surface water.

    The EOI process showed that there is a strong interest in the available UAW reserves.

    Here’s what we learned:

    • We received 40 submissions with cumulative unallocated water demand ranging from 169,270ML to 406,220ML.
    • This significant demand for water clearly exceeds the available reserve and highlights that there would be strong competition for any release of UAW.
    • Primary demand for use of the unallocated water included
      • irrigation—30%
      • agriculture—28%
      • stock intensive—20%
      • rural—17%
      • any—4%
      • industrial—1%.
    • Demand for the water came from across the whole subcatchment area E.

  • To ensure transparency and awareness of the EOI process, we undertook a range of consultation, including:

    • direct engagement with the Remote Area Planning and Development Board which included representatives from local government, agriculture and the community
    • email notifications to all water entitlement holders and previous EOI participants
    • information on this webpage
    • general enquiries were addressed via phone and email to provide clarity and support for interested participants.
Map of Burdekin Basin water plan general reserve

Map of Burdekin Basin water plan area showing subcatchment areas.

Enquiries

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