Improving outcomes in the GABORA water plan area

The current Great Artesian Basin and other regional aquifers (GABORA) water plan includes outcomes (goals) that we seek to achieve through plan strategies.

For example, one of the outcomes is to protect the flow of water to groundwater dependent ecosystems that support significant cultural or environmental values. A strategy (or way) to achieve this is that decisions about licences or unallocated water must consider cumulative drawdown limits at groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDEs).

Across Queensland there are 23 water plans with multiple outcomes. We are reviewing how effective the current GABORA water plan is at achieving its outcomes and working to standardise similar outcomes across all plans where that's possible. That will make all water plans easier to understand and implement.

The current GABORA water plan doesn't include any stand-alone social, economic, environmental, or cultural outcomes that reflect the needs and values of those within the water plan area. We are working closely with all key stakeholders to further develop these outcomes, including engagement with local First Nations representatives to identify cultural values and address specific cultural outcomes in the water plan.