A moratorium protecting the Tamborine Mountain and Springbrook groundwater systems has been extended for another 12 months, to give scientists and other stakeholders time to gather data about the fragile ecosystem.
The moratorium, which is reviewed annually, stops the construction of any new commercial groundwater bores being drilled in the area.
Water Minister Glenn Butcher said extending the moratorium on new bores would allow the government to continue working with local councils, the community and scientific experts to investigate groundwater resources for the Scenic Rim and Gold Coast hinterland.
“Data-driven research, which is being gather by QUT scientists, is required to make informed decisions to ensure we best manage these important groundwater resources.
“While I’m only able to extend the moratorium by 12 months at a time, I’m committed to keeping it in place until this work is done.”
Communities on Tamborine Mountain and in the Springbrook area do not have access to reticulated town water supply so the moratorium was introduced in March 2020, to protect the water reserves these communities rely on.
“The Queensland Government is also committed to ensure that we protect the environment, such as the World Heritage-listed Springbrook National Park,” Minister Butcher said.
Exemptions to the moratorium include bores for stock and domestic uses, to ensure people are able to meet basic needs.
Minister Butcher said the Department of Water had been working with the Gold Coast City Council, Scenic Rim Regional Council, industry, Seqwater and QUT to obtain information about the groundwater systems in these regions.
“As we continue our post-COVID economic recovery, water security will be a cornerstone of our economic strategy,” he said.
The QUT monitoring program on Tamborine Mountain is continuing during 2022 and the Springbrook study, which has recently started, will be completed in late 2024.
