Lakeland Irrigation Scheme requires ‘political will’ amid state government's $30bn agriculture target

A critical water allocation review needs to happen sooner rather than later if construction of a $2.5bn dam in the Far North is to take place, amid the state’s target of boosting agriculture output to $30bn by 2030.

Lakeland’s irrigation scheme is back in the spotlight as the state government looks to boost agriculture output to $30bn by 2030. Picture: iStock.

A Far North Mayor is feeling buoyed by the state government’s target of boosting agriculture output by $8bn in six years, stating the goal puts bulk water storage schemes in her patch back in the spotlight.

Last week Queensland Agriculture Minister Tony Perrett affirmed his government’s goal of boosting the industry’s farm gate production to $30bn by 2030, by “supporting a focus on increasing productivity.”

Department of Primary Industries data showed the sector’s gross value of production estimate for 2023-24 was $22.1bn.

With the future of Mossman’s sugar industry in question amid the liquidation of its mill, Cook Shire Mayor Robyn Holmes believed the expansion of agricultural production at Lakeland would be “absolutely essential” for achieving the $30bn goal.

An existing banana plantation at Lakeland. Picture: Regional Development Australia Tropical North.

A detailed business case for the Lakeland Irrigation Scheme was completed earlier this year. The project aimed to expand the region’s soil under irrigation from about 1900ha to about 10,000ha, by building a 205,000ML dam on the Palmer River.

If built, estimates showed the expansion would generate up to $382m annually in agricultural production.

However, standing in the way of the project estimated to exceed $2.5bn in construction is a Mitchell River Water Plan not set to expire until 2027.

The Lakeland Irrigation Scheme requires a diversion of water from the Mitchell River to the Palmer River and the business case recognised there was insufficient unallocated water in the Mitchell Water Plan to meet the project’s requirements.

Lakeland Irrigation Area Scheme – a view of the potential area that could be irrigated. Picture: Regional Development Australia Tropical North.

One of the project’s proponents, Regional Development Australia Tropical North chair Harriyet Babacan, said “political will” could bring the review of that water plan forward.

But she said the project’s success would also come down to “who’s got the say” in the new state administration, with about 20 bulk water projects across Queensland undergoing feasibility reviews and all competing for funding.

“There’s a lot of competition, and this new state government will want to address which region is going to give it the best value for money,” she said.

Lakeland Irrigation Area Scheme – a view of the potential area that could be irrigated from the Mulligan Hwy. Picture: Regional Development Australia Tropical North.

Ms Babacan said the Lakeland scheme was yet to be formally endorsed by the LNP government, with the next realistic step in its progression requiring state and federal funding for detailed design studies which would generate technical reports on the construction of the dam and irrigation infrastructure.

Cook MP David Kempton said in his “own opinion” the Lakeland scheme would appear more appealing and cost effective than its bulk water storage competitors across the state and made assurances the Mitchell River Water Plan review “would commence next year and be completed before 2027”.

He said a pre-election commitment of $190,000 to the Lakeland Progress Association to enable “grower input” into the business case would be delivered soon.

Ms Holmes said the project now required higher levels of government to “on-board” the works, stating the council’s role would be to recognise the scheme in its Lakeland area masterplan to allow for the residential and commercial expansion that would follow the irrigation proposal.

Originally published as Lakeland Irrigation Scheme requires ‘political will’ amid state government's $30bn agriculture target