Important planning for the future water needs of the Tablelands region is continuing as the Regional Water Assessment progresses to the next stage.
Councils, industry representatives, scientific experts and key stakeholders are working together to identify future water security options in the important Queensland food bowl that is the Far North Queensland Tablelands.
The Queensland Government's Tablelands Regional Water Assessment, which started late last year, will develop a holistic approach to water security and economic growth across the region.
Staff from Mareeba Shire Council, Tablelands Regional Council and Cairns Regional Council, along with representatives from the agriculture, industry and community sectors, have been involved in the crucial assessment.
Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Minister for Water Glenn Butcher said stakeholders will take part in Investment Logic Mapping workshops next month, as part of the Service Need analysis.
"It's important to undertake these thorough assessment processes to determine which infrastructure, and non-infrastructure options will best deliver water security and economic growth in one of Queensland's most important food bowl regions.
"This will ensure that investment decisions are well informed and that the region has a plan in place that will drive economic development through investment in important water infrastructure," he said.
Once the Service Need analysis has been completed for the region, work will get underway to develop initiatives, and shortlist options for detailed analysis.
"This process demonstrates our commitment to improve water security across the state and unlock the economic potential of our regions."
"We've seen how critical investment in water is in this region with the completion of Sunwater's Mareeba Dimbulah Efficiency Improvement Project which has improved the ability of the scheme to meet demand, as well as making more water available to irrigators."
Minister Butcher said the Tablelands Regional Water Assessment was one of three currently underway across the state.
"The Queensland Government is investing $9 million in regional water assessments across three food bowls of Queensland – the Southern and Darling Downs, Bundaberg and Burnett, and Tablelands," he said.
Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said it was great to see the assessment progressing and the collaborative approach being taken by all involved.
"We've seen what investment in infrastructure upgrades can deliver, including through the completion earlier this year of the Mareeba Dimbulah Efficiency Improvement Project.
It's important also that we continue to plan for the future water needs of the region and that's exactly what the Palaszczuk Government is doing through the Regional Water Assessment Process," she said.
