Joint media release: Building a secure water future for central Queensland

The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water
The Hon Glenn Butcher MP, Minister for Regional Development, Manufacturing - Minister for Water 

• $4.5 million allocated from the Australian Government’s National Water Grid Fund for water assessment.
• Central Queensland Regional Water Assessment (CQ RWA) will explore regional water demand in central Queensland and determine the most suitable options for investing in water supply and security to support economic growth.
• The CQ RWA project will gather information from previous investigations, meet with stakeholders and be coordinated with the Fitzroy Basin Water Plan review.

The Albanese Government is investing in critical projects as part of its commitment to ensure Queenslanders have safe, reliable and secure water in the future.

$4.5 million of Federal Government funding has been confirmed for a new Central Queensland Regional Water Assessment (CQ RWA) to be completed over the next 2.5 years.

This is part of the Albanese Government’s $11.5 million commitment to fund collaborative strategic planning work across Queensland.

The regional water assessment will be delivered by Queensland Government and will look at water supply infrastructure and non-infrastructure options within and surrounding the area of the Fitzroy Basin Water Plan.

The assessment will identify which projects should be given more detailed consideration.

Where detailed business cases or other studies have been completed or are underway, the assessment will incorporate information from those projects.

This includes separate activity which is examining the feasibility of desalinated water for the renewable energy industry in Gladstone.

Quotes attributable to Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek:

“Today we opened the largest weir built in Australia since World War II in Rockhampton, but we know there is more to do.

“Water is our most precious resource and it is an essential part of our everyday lives.

“We know many parts of Queensland are already in drought, with more to be declared in the coming months.

“This strategic planning work is critical in ensuring we are planning for the future and investing in projects that stack up.”

Quotes attributable to the Queensland Minister for Regional Development, Manufacturing and Minister for Water, the Honourable Glenn Butcher:

“Water represents economic potential and we know that when we use water more efficiently, we deliver better outcomes for the community, for First Nations peoples, for industry and irrigators, and for the environment.

“The Regional Water Assessment process is an effective way to understand demand and assess the best way to meet that demand. The community is consulted and there is ample opportunity for detailed discussions about what is needed and how we, as a government, can fulfil that need.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Senator Anthony Chisholm:

“Many people across Central Queensland still remember the bone-dry conditions we faced a few years ago, so as we head into another dry spell, these investments into our state’s water infrastructure are crucial.

“Our government remains committed to working with local government and industry to deliver the infrastructure that all regional communities, including Central Queensland, need to continue being a great place to live and do business.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Keppel, Brittany Lauga:

“With all the jobs and opportunities coming on the back of Rookwood, I’m proud to see the Palaszczuk and Albanese Government come together to plan for the future projects our region needs.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Rockhampton, Barry O’Rourke:

“I’m pleased to see both levels of government working together to plan for the future water needs of this region. This planning work builds on the strong record of investment in water infrastructure by the Palaszczuk Government.”