THE state government is preparing to release unallocated water in the Gilbert River catchment this year.
A Department of Natural Resources and Mines spokesman said further discussions would be held with key stakeholders, including the Etheridge Shire Council, to ensure that water is released in the best interests of the community and maximises economic opportunities.
“The department will also hold community consultation sessions prior to any call for tenders,” the spokesman said.
Etheridge Shire Council is moving to establish a business arm to help secure funding to progress an irrigated cropping industry in the region, after the collapse of a proposed $2 billion agricultural development using Gilbert River water.
The DNRM spokesman said the minister had asked that a strategic assessment and approach to the release of water occurs in the Gilbert catchment to ensure the maximisation of economic benefits to the region.
“This will include identification and consideration of significant, potentially competing demands for water in the Gilbert catchment,” the spokesman said.
“The assessment will specify where and how the water can be taken to ensure any future entitlements would be consistent with the objectives of the Gulf Water Plan.”
Andrew Cripps, opposition natural resources, mines and northern development spokesman, said the state government was holding back north Queensland by not releasing water from the Gilbert River.
He said communities needed the water resources to encourage investment, foster economic development and create jobs.
“They have been denied these opportunities, because Labor simply doesn’t understand the need for access to large volumes of secure water entitlements to deliver the certainty needed to underpin them,” he said.
