On The Land
19 July, 2025
Water plan review underway
A REVIEW is underway for a new water management plan for the Mitchell River catchment to replace the current plan which is due to expire in two years.
The review aims to ensure the region’s long-term water needs can be best met and managed into the future.
Water in the Mitchell River is mostly used to support small-scale irrigation, but it also supports small communities and towns, recreational and commercial fisheries, and a growing tourism industry.
The state government has begun its preliminary public consultation and is calling for public submissions. Public meetings are also being held, with the first beginning yesterday in Julatten and Mt Carbine.
They will continue next week in Chillagoe on Tuesday 22 July, from 1pm to 3pm; and at Mt Surprise Hall on 23 July, from 11am to 1pm.
The consultation covers water in watercourses, lakes, springs (surface water), overland flow, and groundwater that is not managed by the Great Artesian Basin and other regional aquifers water plan.
Issues to be reviewed include:
making water available to secure, supply and foster economic growth, including for new irrigated agriculture, urban water and critical minerals while balancing associated impacts on other water interests and values;
future water requirements for anticipated further population growth in the plan area
emergent water security needs for the plan area (including securing water supplies for First Nations communities), with a focus on affordability;
water entitlements, including the potential for water licences to be converted to water allocations;
water trading, including identifying any barriers to accessing the existing trading framework to improve water resource utilisation and support economic development;
water management arrange-ments for surface water, groundwater and overland flow management thresholds;
incorporating best-available science on water availability and the water needs for the environment; and
requirements under the Human Rights Act 2019.
Preliminary consultation submissions will close on 30 September.
The submissions, together with engagement with water users, First Nations peoples and other interest groups, will be used to develop a draft replacement plan, which will then be followed by another round of public consultation.
To make a submission please email NorthWPS@rdmw.qld.gov.au, call 1800 822 100 or post a submission to the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers, Water Services North Region, ‘Attention: Manager Water Planning and Science’, PO Box 156, Mareeba, 4880.
