THE Commonwealth Government has made a strategic acquisition of more than 28 gigalitres (GL) (26 GL LTAAY) in Queensland’s Condamine–Balonne region in a significant step towards achieving the remaining water recovery required under the Murray–Darling Basin Plan.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce, said the strategic acquisition represented 70 per cent of the remaining local water recovery task for the Condamine–Balonne under the 320GL Northern Basin water recovery target proposed by the Murray–Darling Basin Authority.

“This acquisition was a unique opportunity to secure a significant volume of water in a catchment of particular strategic importance to achieving the triple-bottom line outcomes of the Basin Plan,” Minister Joyce said.

“But I know there are communities where the prospect of any further water recovery will be met with concern.

“We understand that every job is important for rural communities, however, the impacts of this water recovery have been independently assessed to confirm that this purchase of overland flow licences should have a relatively low impact on regional production and casual employment.”

“The company that has sold their water entitlements will continue their mixed-farming business, including irrigation, and so will continue to contribute significantly to the local economy.

“St George will also gain important flood mitigation benefits from the decommissioning and modification of structures on the property. These works will help flood waters to be better managed into the future.”

Source: Deputy Prime Minister of Australia