On The Land
23 November, 2025
Water up for grabs through auction
TABLELANDS farmers can purchase new water allocations, with Sunwater making 5,610 megalitres of medium priority water available through an auction.
The water is being auctioned in parcels sized from 5-200 megalitres on the Water Exchange platform with closing dates up to 27 November.
The auction follows the successful sale of 5,898 megalitres of water in April and May 2024 and represents the last of Sunwater’s available allocations in the scheme.
Auction parcels have been sized to promote and provide opportunity for the full range of customers in the Mareeba-Dimbulah Water Supply Scheme.
The allocations were made available following a $32.54 million efficiency project to enhance water delivery to more than 17,000 hectares of Far North Queensland farmland.
The project included the replacement of 14km of pipeline, installation of 125 automated control gates in irrigation channels and the upgrade of 157 water offtakes.
The new infrastructure is more responsive to water demands, reducing overflow losses and allowing for more controlled and regulated water delivery.
It ensures precious water resources are used efficiently and losses are reduced, allowing for more water to be put to productive use in growing crops and increasing agricultural output in the region.
In line with a commitment to engage with customers openly and transparently, Sunwater undertook a wide-ranging consultation process to inform preparations for the auction.
Sunwater will continue to look for new and innovative ways to enhance water delivery and efficiency in the Mareeba-Dimbulah region.
The Mareeba-Dimbulah Efficiency Improvement Project, undertaken by Sunwater, was jointly funded – with the Australian Government contributing $11.6 million and the Queensland Government contributing $20.94 million.
Anyone interested in the auction should visit https://www.sunwater.com.au/water-for-sale/water-allocations-for-sale-mareeba-dimbulah/ or the Water Exchange platform.
Alternatively, contact Sunwater’s Ruralco water broker, Lincoln Parr on 0419 473 153.
