Growing water needs in the Whitsunday water plan area

We need to review how sharing water is balanced between all water interests, including the environment, cultural and downstream users.

We need to balance growing demand for water to use in urban development, agriculture, new irrigated agriculture and cultural activities and in the critical minerals industries with the known impacts of those industries and all the other identified interests and values.

The growing water needs of fisheries are driven by the increasing demand for sustainable fish production. A consistent water supply is needed to maintain healthy aquatic ecosystems, supporting fish breeding, growth, and migration, and ensuring the productivity of both freshwater and marine fisheries.

A portion of the water plan is subject to a regional water assessment (RWA) area (Burdekin) that is already underway. This assessment will identify the most viable options (infrastructure or non-infrastructure) for supporting future economic growth and water security in the area.

The water plan review will use technical assessments to consider:

• existing water entitlement holders
• cultural values
• the environment
• the Great Barrier Reef and associated tourism industry.

We want to understand your views on how we should prioritise competing demands for water and how we can cater for the growing demands without impacting existing water uses and values.