Revealed: Qld’s water allocation shake-up in key farming regions

Queensland farmers have been invited to stake their claim for water access across eight major basins as the new government moves to reverse decade-old restrictions.

Water is back in the spotlight with the new LNP state government flagging possible changes to water allocation rules one year after the ousted Labor government made controversial changes.

Water is back in the spotlight with the new LNP state government flagging possible changes to water allocation rules one year after the ousted Labor government made controversial changes.

LNP state Water Minister Ann Leahy announced Tuesday the government was seeking expressions of interests from irrigators and agricultural producers who need more water to operate or expand in basins across the state.

These include the Mary Basin, along with the Barron, Wet Tropics, Burdekin, Mary Basin, Great Artesian Basin, Border Rivers and Moonie, Condamine and Balonne.

The Mary Basin was at the centre of controversy over new changes to water allocations finalised in 2024.

These were strongly criticised by farmers on the basin, which stretches from Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast to Howard on the Fraser Coast, who said the changes fell short of what was needed to keep them viable.

One farmer affected by the changes said he had been left with only one tenth of the allocation he needed to keep his farm running.

LNP state Water Minister Ann Leahy announced Tuesday the government was seeking expressions of interests from irrigators and agricultural producers who need more water to operate or expand in basins across the state.

In its statement the government said it was unlocking the new allocations “in a bid to drive regional growth, agricultural development and long-term water security”.

“The unallocated water is set aside as part of the plans to help accommodate future releases, without affecting the resource available for current users, cultural values or the environment.

Ms Leahy said the LNP state government remained committed to making more water available across the state after Labor left it locked up for a decade.

“Our government knows there is interest in accessing unallocated water across these regions and this is one of the steps we are taking to help deliver long-term water security for Queensland,” Ms Leahy said.

“This is an opportunity not only for farmers, but also other agricultural water users, or those with interests in industrial, urban water security or community uses, to assess their needs and put forward a proposal.

“This is about restoring faith in government decision-making and backing the people who know how to get things done.

Submissions close Sunday August 31, 2025.

Originally published as Revealed: Qld’s water allocation shake-up in key farming regions