Arthur Gorrie
It is too early to say what tangible effects will follow from a planned new formula for determining water access entitlements in the Mary Valley, but farmers wait anxiously on the emerging Maruy Basin Water Plan.
Water Minister Glenn Butcher, who is also responsible for the Regional Development and Manufacturing portfolios, says the question on specifics on amounts of water available to various users was still at the discussion stage.
At issue is a government proposal to amend farmer water licences so they will now be based on volume of water to be shared, rather than the allowable area of land to be irrigated.
Gympie’s Nanango MP Deb Frecklington asked if the new system would in effect mean a reduction in water entitlements for primary producers.
Mr Butcher said the draft Mary Basin Water Plan proposed “to amend area-based licences that state a total allowable area to be irrigated, to volume-based licences that nominate a maximum volume of water that can be taken (each) year.
“The proposed amendment is consistent with other Queensland catchments and the National Water Initiative,” he said.
One guide suggested the new entitlements could be estimated by allowing six-megalitres per hectare a year, he said.
His Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water was “actively considering submissions and applications regardoing area-based to volumetric conversion,” following the closure of public consultation on the draft Mary Basin Water Plan on 26 May.
“It would be inappropirate to make comments without all the conversion applications being properly assessed,” Mr Butcher said.