State Government expects in-depth water assessment to be complete by 2023/4

With the Darling Downs and Southern Downs regions set to grow, water security is an imperative. Here’s when a $3 million study into regional water supplies is expected to be complete.

Authorities and residents on the Southern and Darling Downs will be waiting until at least the 2023/24 financial year for the results of a $3 million in depth water assessment expected to identify long-term water supplies for the Darling Downs and Southern Downs.

Responding to a question on notice from Condamine MP Pat Weir, Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Minister for Water Glenn Butcher said the government had committed $9 million to three water assessments across Queensland, with the Southern and Darling Downs region being the first cab off the ranks – though work on the study itself is yet to start.

The Bundaberg and Burnett region and the Tablelands region are the other regions slated for investigation.

“Preparation for the projects is underway and I have made initial contact with key local government stakeholders in the region to start the process,” he said.

Despite being announced in December 2020, Toowoomba Regional Council mayor Paul Antonio said he was yet to be given detail on what the Southern and Darling Downs assessment means.

“I have not at this point in time received notification of the detail or who is doing that kind of assessment,” Cr Antonio said.

Cr Antonio is part of the Southern Queensland Inland and New South Wales Border Regional Water Alliance, which is comprised of representatives of the Toowoomba, Western Downs, Southern Downs, Goondiwindi, Lockyer Valley and Tenterfield regional councils.

“I don’t know enough about what the Queensland Government is doing to event comment, except to say (the alliance) believes there ought to be a broader study done,” he said.

Mr Butcher said “robust stakeholder engagement”, including with relevant local governments,

would underpin the regional water assessments.

“In addition to new supply sources, these assessments will consider options for improving the efficiency of existing water supply schemes and maximising the benefit from the existing water resources,” he said.

“Non-infrastructure options will also be considered. It is anticipated that each assessment

will take 18 to 24 months to complete.

“Funding has been committed through to the end of the 2023–24 financial year and

the assessments will be undertaken in a staged manner.

“The completion dates will be dependent on the scope which in part will be developed in consultation with key stakeholders such as local governments.

“Given the impact of the prolonged drought affecting the Southern and Darling Downs

region, it is anticipated that the assessment for this region will be the first to commence.”