Wet Tropics general reserve

Current status

Expressions of interest for accessing unallocated water in the Wet Tropics water plan are open until 31 August 2025.

We are preparing to release unallocated water from the Wet Tropics water plan to support local communities, growth in economic activity, and business enterprises.

We need your help to understand the demand for unallocated water required to support existing, new, and diversifying industries including existing cane growers transitioning to different land uses, within the water plan area.

Unallocated water is available across the Wet Tropics water plan area, either from the general reserve (as watercourse water and/or groundwater, depending on where you are) or from the high-flow reserve as watercourse water.

Larger amounts of water are available from the high-flow reserve. A pass flow condition would be included on any water licence granted from this reserve to allow water to be taken during high-flow events.

If you’re located within the Wet Tropics water plan area (shown in the map below), you are encouraged to complete the expression of interest (EOI) form and tell us about your specific water needs.

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EOI process

In considering the release of water, we need to:

  • better understand the demand for water
  • better understand how much water you want
  • talk with landholders and other stakeholders who are interested in water.

Submit your expression of interest (EOI) form outlining your specific water needs.

Whilst EOIs can be made at any time, we encourage you to submit your EOI by 31 August 2025 to help us understand your demand and inform this release process.

If you submit an EOI, we will use your contact details to keep you up to date with any meetings.

We'll review all feedback received through the EOI submissions. This information will help us better understand if there is sufficient interest in releasing unallocated water via an application process.

Enquiries

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