THE HON DAVID LITTLEPROUD MP
Shadow Minister for Emergency Management
Shadow Minister for Tourism
Federal Member for Maranoa
25 May 2026
Littleproud welcomes review of Southern Downs Water Licence
Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud has welcomed the Queensland Governments decision to review the water licence granted to Cherrabah Resort, describing it as an important and positive step.
Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy has announced the State Department will review the water licence of Cherrabah Resort after its foreign owners applied to commercially extract and bottle up to 96 million litres of groundwater per year.
“Minister Leahy has heard the people of the Southern Downs and she has acted. I commend her for that, and I commend her for the strength it takes to look back at a decision made by a previous government and say — we need to review this.”
Mr Littleproud wrote to the Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins to also have an assurance that an export licence would not be granted to the owners of Cherrabah to export water, but the Minister has not responded.
“It’s telling that the federal minister will do nothing, but the state minister is prepared to protect our water resources which shows the difference between the Crisafulli and Albanese Governments,” Mr Littleproud said.
Community concern has been overwhelming. Local farmers rallied against the proposal, warning the extraction threatens aquifer recharge and their ability to irrigate crops and sustain livestock at a time when the region is already living under permanent water restrictions.
Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy said the review of the Cherrabah Water Licence was needed to ensure water resources are protected and community concerns are properly addressed.
“This commercial water licence was granted under the Labor Government, and it was a reckless decision to approve a 96ML licence in a drought-prone region where water security is critical,” Minister Leahy said.
“The people of the Southern Downs deserve confidence their water resources are being protected, and that is why this review is important.”
The applicant, Joyful View Garden Real Estate Development Resort Pty Ltd, has since appealed Southern Downs Regional Council’s refusal to Queensland’s Planning and Environment Court.
Mr Littleproud said that appeal only strengthened the resolve of all three levels of government.
“They can go to court, but they cannot change the facts on the ground. This region is in drought. These farmers are struggling. And every tier of government is united in standing up for them.”
BACKGROUND
- Joyful View Garden Real Estate Development Resort Pty Ltd (owners of Cherrabah Resort) applied to build an industrial water extraction and bottling facility at Elbow Valley, Southern Downs, drawing up to 96 million litres per year from the Stanthorpe Adamellite aquifer.
- The Southern Downs Regional Council voted unanimously on 25 February 2026 to refuse the application.
- The applicant has since appealed to Queensland’s Planning and Environment Court.
- Queensland Water Minister Ann Leahy has called for a departmental review of the original water licence and the assessment process.
- Mr Littleproud has also written separately to the Federal Agriculture Minister calling for the use of Commonwealth powers to block overseas water exports.
