The Department of Natural Resources and Mining (DNRM) has released a Statement of Proposals to commence the reviews of the Condamine Balonne and Border Rivers water plans.
The Border Rivers water resource plan is scheduled to expire in 2019 and will be replaced under the Water Act. Replacing the plan will ensure that the needs of water users, the environment and the general community continue to be met. There is also a proposal to amalgamate the Border Rivers and Moonie water resource plans. The new plan will be consistent with the requirements of the Murray Darling Basin Plan 2012.
Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) President Stuart Armitage stated that as part of this process the Minister published a moratorium notice for works that take underground water in the Granite Belt Underground Water Area. The moratorium area covers approximately 900km2 of the Border Rivers Water Resource Plan (plan) area.
“QFF welcomed the State Government’s proactive steps to formally address planning in the major Queensland Murray Darling catchments.”
“To date the only formal consulting party has been the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA). The DNRM process will provide stakeholders with the opportunity to be consulted on Queensland specific catchments. QFF consider that this is in our members’ long term interests.”
“QFF encourage all affected landholders in the region to attend the public information sessions being held throughout July and make submissions to the review.”
Details on the Condamine and Balonne review are available on the DNRM website: HERE