Identifying unallocated water in the Georgina and Diamantina water plan area
Demand for water may increase as the region grows and industries expand. This includes water needed for communities, agriculture and the critical minerals sector.
When reviewing the Georgina and Diamantina water plan, we consider the needs of existing water users, future demand, cultural values, environmental values and downstream users.
We use technical assessments to understand how water can continue to support economic development while protecting the environmental and cultural values that are important to the region.
The water plan review has used technical assessments to consider:
- existing water entitlement holders
- future water demands
- cultural values
- the environment
- consistency with the Lake Eyre Basin Agreement Act 2001.
Unallocated water refers to water in the system that is available for future allocation without causing unacceptable impacts to existing water users, cultural values, or the environment.
In developing the new draft Georgina and Diamantina water plan, we have assessed the demand for additional water supplies and reviewed the volumes and arrangements for unallocated water. Accessing unallocated water reserves may satisfy some of this water demand.
We can decide to release unallocated water when there is enough interest.
Total reserve volumes
| Reserve type | Water management area | Volume (maximum annual volume) in ML |
|---|---|---|
| General | Upper Georgina | 1,000 |
| General | Upper Diamantina | 7,500 |
| General | Burke and Hamilton | 1,500 |
| General | Lower Diamantina | 1,000 |
| General | Lower Georgina | 1,000 |
| Strategic | Any | 3,000 |
| Indigenous | Any | 0 |
| To be determined | To be determined | 12,000 |
| Total | 27,000 |
Also consider…
- Learn more about unallocated water.