Improving outcomes in the Whitsunday water plan area

The current Whitsunday water plan includes goals that we seek to achieve through plan strategies. In a water plan, we call these goals outcomes.

For example, one of the outcomes is to support the economic growth while recognising the social and cultural values of communities in the basins. A strategy (or way) to achieve this outcome is to consider how much water can be allocated to individual users from unallocated water reserves. By making water available this way we do not impact existing water users or the environment.

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

The Whitsunday water plan currently 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'll work closely with all key stakeholders to further develop these outcomes, including engagement with local First Nations representatives to identify cultural values and consider specific cultural outcomes in the water plan.