Round two Great Artesian Basin drought resilience funding now available in Queensland

August 18, 2021

Maranoa landholders can now receive up to 90 per cent of the cost of eligible on-farm projects to save water in the Great Artesian Basin under a second round of program funding.

Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said funding is driving projects to control bores, improve delivery systems and boost water management in the Great Artesian Basin.

“The Great Artesian Basin is the lifeblood of western Queensland, generating nearly $13 billion per year and providing a vital resource for 180,000 people, 7,600 businesses and 120 towns, many of which are located in Maranoa,” Mr Littleproud said.

“I’m pleased to see this new round of funding made available to Maranoa landholders to continue to protect this precious resource and ensure the sustainability of agricultural production in western Queensland.”

Minister for Resources and Water, Keith Pitt, said the funding under the Improving Great Artesian Basin Drought Resilience Program is all about empowering communities to drive the delivery of water-saving projects in the Basin.

“To improve drought resilience and water security in the Great Artesian Basin, the Coalition Government has committed $27.6 million to Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales and the Northern Territory over five years to 2023-24,” Minister Pitt said.

“The program is part of the plan to protect this important resource and put a cap on the 80,000 megalitres of precious Great Artesian Basin water that we’re losing each year through free-flowing bores and open bore drains.”

Round two of Queensland’s Great Artesian Basin Rehabilitation Program is now open and will close on 19 November 2021.

Landholders can access further information on the Improving Great Artesian Basin Drought Resilience Program on the Queensland Government website or by emailing GABPMO@rdmw.qld.gov.au