Have your say on the new draft Mary Basin water plan

Department Executive Director South Region Hamish Butler said feedback was crucial to finalising the plan, to ensure the needs of all water users in the water plan area had been considered.

“The existing water plan has been in place since 2006 and the landscape has changed since then. We need to make sure this draft new plan is fit for purpose and everyone’s needs have been considered,” he said. “This plan will be in place for the next 10 years.”

Since the current plan was implemented, ongoing monitoring and assessment has occurred, with all the data gathered from that process playing an important part in developing the new draft plan.

“There is an additional 20 years of climate data to consider since the original plan was rolled out, as well as changing land use and population increases. All of this informs the new draft plan.”

The new draft water plan also incorporates information gathered from submissions on the preliminary public consultation notice and in 85 meetings with water-user groups, councils, environmental interest groups, Traditional Owners, industry groups and water service providers. It also includes the best available science from technical and scientific assessments.

“The new draft plan recognises interests of Traditional Owners and also proposes new and more relevant environmental, social, cultural and economic outcomes.

“The plan also includes more informed strategies and performance indicators, building on new and improved science that has been gathered over the life of the existing water plan.

“Community feedback on this draft plan is important so that it can be considered before finalising the plan,” Mr Butler said.

The Mary Basin water plan area comprises five river catchments: Burrum, Mary, Noosa, Maroochy, and Mooloolah. The water plan area has several water supply schemes as well as eight major storages, including Six Mile Creek, Cooloolabin, Wappa, Poona, Baroon Pocket and Ewen Maddock dams.

For more information about the new draft water plan, or instructions on how to make a correct submission, visit the DRDMW website.

Public consultation closes at 5pm on 21 April 2023.

-ENDS-

MEDIA: media@rdmw.qld.gov.au
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