Reviewing the Georgina and Diamantina water plan

Water plan review status

Step 2: We review feedback received during step 1 and use technical assessments to develop the draft new water plan.

We are reviewing and replacing the current Georgina and Diamantina water plan to continue sustainable management of water resources in the area.

To give us enough time to do this work, the current Georgina and Diamantina water plan’s expiry date has been extended to 5 August 2027.

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The Georgina and Diamantina water plan area in central far west Queensland forms part of the Queensland section of the Lake Eyre Basin (the Basin).

The water plan works with the Lake Eyre Basin Intergovernmental Agreement 2001. This agreement recognises the ecological, pastoral, tourism and cultural significance of the Basin, which extends into Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales and the Northern Territory.

The water infrastructure in the area is minimal—there are no major water storages and there are only 5 water licences. Streams basically flow naturally. Water is mostly used for livestock grazing, town water supply and domestic purposes.

Part of the water plan area is in the Northwest Minerals Province, known for its production of copper, cobalt and vanadium. There is potential for further expansion of mining these and other rare earth minerals. The demands for water may therefore increase in the future to support this.

We need to find ways to best meet future demands for water, and make sure existing water users, cultural values and environmental water needs are met.

Public consultation

The first round of public consultation closed on 16 August 2024.

We asked people to review the current Georgina and Diamantina water plan and read through the key topics we are considering for this review:

We are meeting directly with the community throughout the review process. Email NorthWPS@dlgwv.qld.gov.au to express your interest in being part of the working group to help shape the new water plan.

Infrastructure

The scope of this review is limited to the management and allocation of water. Any issues or comments relating to the assessment or approval of infrastructure proposals should be referred to the Office of the Coordinator-General.

Timeline

From when we start a review to when the new plan is formally adopted takes several years.

Learn more about the 5 steps of the water plan review process.

Current status

We are now at step 2 of the consultation timeline which means that we are reviewing all feedback received and drafting the new draft Georgina and Diamantina water plan, scheduled for release in 2026.

Sets out the years for each step - Step two: We review feedback and use technical assessments to develop the draft new water plan 2024-2025 Step three: We release the draft for second round of public consultation 2026 Step four: We review and finalise 2026-2027 Step five: New water plan in place 2027

  • Consultation timeline

    From when we start a review to when the new water plan is formally adopted takes several years.

    Step 1 (2024): We ask everyone for their ideas and suggestions through public consultation.

    Step 2 (2024–25): We review feedback and use technical assessments to develop the draft new water plan. (Step 2 is highlighted to show that this is what we're doing now.)

    Step 3 (2026): We release the draft for second round of public consultation.

    Step 4 (2026–27): We review and finalise the new water plan.

    Step 5 (2027): We put the new water plan in place.

What’s next

Step 3: We’ll release the draft water plan for a second round of public consultation, anticipated in 2025-26.

Step 4: We’ll review feedback received in step 3 and finalise the replacement water plan, anticipated in 2026–27.

Step 5: The new water plan will be in place after appropriate approvals, which is anticipated in 2027.

Enquiries

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