Identifying unallocated water in the Whitsunday water plan area

Unallocated water is our term for water that is in the system and available for future needs. That means it can be released (or allocated) to future projects without affecting water available for current water users, cultural values, or the environment.

Currently, the Whitsunday water plan includes 30,000ML of unallocated water in 2 reserves:

• a general reserve with a total of 28,500ML that could be released for any purpose
• a strategic reserve of 1,500ML that can be released only for a state purpose.

There has been 1,700 ML granted from the general reserve in 2017.

We are currently calling for expressions of interest from people who are interested in accessing the general reserve in the Whitsunday water plan area. The expressions of interest process will close on 31 July 2025.

Additional water for town water supply may be provided through the new water plan.

Demand for water from the agriculture industry, urban needs and First Nations peoples may increase in the future.

A portion of the water plan is subject to a regional water assessment (RWA) area (Burdekin). We will consider the RWA to better understand current and potential water demands in the region. This will let us review these reserves and consider the best arrangements for making unallocated water available to support growth.

Accessing unallocated water reserves is an option to meet some of this water demand.

During this water plan review, we'll assess the demand for additional water supplies and consider the volumes and arrangements for unallocated water.

The coastal basin areas that sit outside the plan area do not have any current unallocated water reserves.