Regional Water Assessment Program

The Queensland Government is setting a roadmap for economic growth in some of Queensland’s most significant food bowls through its $9million Regional Water Assessment Program.

Building on previous water supply investigations in each region, the program is taking a comprehensive view of local water needs and identifying gaps to be filled.

Once complete, the assessments will set out how existing infrastructure, new infrastructure and non-infrastructure solutions can be used to maximise water supply in each area and drive economic growth.

Potential sources of water supply are being considered across boundaries of local government areas and catchments to maximise benefits, increase the effective use of existing infrastructure, and minimise costs.

Regional water assessment areas

The regional water assessments are exploring some of the state’s most significant food bowl areas, which were identified as having the best potential to achieve greater regional economic development through investment in water:

• Southern and Darling Downs – including all of Southern Downs Regional Council, Goondiwindi Regional Council, Toowoomba Regional Council and parts of Western Downs Regional Council around Dalby. View a map of the Southern and Darling Downs assessment area (PDF, 775.7KB).
• Bundaberg and Burnett – including all of Bundaberg Regional Council, South Burnett Regional Council, North Burnett Regional Council and Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council. View a map of the Bundaberg and Burnett assessment area (PDF, 718.7KB).
• Tablelands – including all of Tablelands Regional Council and eastern parts of Mareeba Shire Council. View a map of the Tablelands assessment area (PDF, 759.3KB).

Each assessment is expected to take around 24 months to complete, although this can be longer if necessary. The Southern and Darling Downs assessment began in July 2021, and Tablelands assessment in November 2021. Early Bundaberg and Burnett assessment activity began in late 2021.

Consultation with stakeholders

Local knowledge will be essential to getting the best results for each assessment area. That’s why each assessment is supported by a stakeholder advisory group consisting of local governments, industry and peak body representatives, Sunwater and other relevant entities.

The stakeholder advisory groups are helping to identify all water supply options in the regions. A process will then occur to reduce this list for further assessment, and finally to identify those projects that warrant further investment.

Following the completion of draft technical analyses, wider public consultation will contribute to each assessment’s final development. Public consultation details will be provided here when available.

Further information

Please contact regionalwaterassessments@rdmw.qld.gov.au for further information.