- The Crisafulli Government is calling for expressions of interest from Central Queensland irrigators and businesses seeking additional water to support future growth, expansion and investment.
- Expressions of interest are open across the Boyne River Basin, Calliope River Basin, Fitzroy Basin and surrounding coastal basin areas until 31 October 2026.
- The Crisafulli Government is boosting water security across regional communities, after the former Labor Government left Queensland with ageing water infrastructure, a $6.5 billion cost blowout in water projects, botched dams, failing regional water security and the most expensive water bills in the nation.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering for Central Queensland by calling on irrigators and businesses to have their say on the region’s future water needs.
The former Labor Government neglected Queensland’s regional water plans and let water sit idle and locked up in unnecessary red tape, during their decade of decline.
The Crisafulli Government is turning around years of inaction by the former Labor Government by delivering the Watertight Water Security Plan to review all 23 water plans, boost agricultural productivity, unlock more water and support long-term water security across Queensland.
Central Queensland’s water plans are currently under review, with the Crisafulli Government considering a new Central Queensland water plan bringing together the Fitzroy, Boyne and Calliope River basins and surrounding coastal basins.
Expressions of interest are now open for parties seeking additional water to support future growth, expansion and investment across the Boyne River Basin, Calliope River Basin, Fitzroy Basin and surrounding coastal basin areas.
The feedback will help identify where demand for new water is located, the level of demand across the region and which water sources may be suitable to meet those needs.
The information will help inform the current water plan reviews and future water supply options.
Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy said this was another step forward in the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to unlock more water across regional Queensland.
“Central Queensland is home to productive agricultural industries, regional businesses and growing communities, and securing the water they need to grow is critical to the region’s future,” Minister Leahy said.
“The former Labor Government neglected important water planning work, but the Crisafulli Government is getting water planning back on track through our Watertight Water Security Plan.
“We want to hear directly from irrigators and businesses about the water they need to expand, increase production and pursue new opportunities, so we can make informed decisions about how we manage and unlock water for Central Queensland’s future.”
Assistant Minister and Member for Gregory Sean Dillon said getting water planning back on track was critical to unlocking new opportunities across Central Queensland.
“Central Queensland has enormous potential, but we need to make sure our water resources are being planned for the region’s future,” Mr Dillon said.
“This EOI is about listening to water users and understanding where additional water is needed so we can support investment, productivity and long-term regional growth.”
Member for Mirani Glen Kelly said the EOI process was delivering local irrigators and businesses an opportunity to have their say on the water needed to support future growth.
“Central Queensland has the industries, businesses and communities ready to grow, and access to reliable water is critical to making the most of those opportunities,” Mr Kelly said.
“We want to hear directly from local irrigators and businesses about the water they need to expand, invest and create more jobs, so future water planning reflects the needs of the region.”
Member for Callide Bryson Head said better water security would support agricultural producers and businesses looking to expand across the region.
“Farmers and businesses across Central Queensland need certainty about their water future if they are going to invest, grow and create jobs,” Mr Head said.
“The Crisafulli Government is getting water planning back on track and listening directly to the people on the ground about what they need to support the next generation of growth in Central Queensland.”
Expressions of interest close 31 October 2026.
