The Queensland Government has announced that it will put almost $8 million into rural water use efficiency across Queensland, in a move aimed to grow agriculture as one of the four pillars of the Queensland economy.
QLD Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps said the funding was part of the Rural Water Use Efficiency for Irrigation Futures program.
“This injection of funds will flow to landowners through services from industry bodies, which will benefit irrigators through the wider use of new and more efficient technologies,” Mr Cripps said.
“Grants will be provided to number of peak industry groups to assist irrigators across Queensland to improve on-farm water management, and include;
- Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation
- Growcom
- CANEGROWERS
- Nursery and Garden Industry Queensland
- Queensland Turf Producers Association
- Flower Association of Queensland Inc
“We are taking a targeted approach, such as providing funding to areas where water allocations have been reduced or are under stressed, where there are groundwater issues, or areas of concern to industry state-wide.
“For example, we are providing almost $1.12 million more to CANEGROWERS to improve on-farm productivity and to address rising groundwater levels.”
Mr Cripps said the rural water use efficiency program would focus on sustainability measures in line with the government’s commitment to agriculture.
“Increased competition for water, periodic drought conditions and rising energy costs have impacted the bottom line for irrigators,” he said.
“This program will deliver real benefits for the Wet Tropics, Lakeland, Burdekin and Callide regions.”
The program will also support the irrigated agriculture industry in other important producing regions such as the Lockyer Valley, Central Highlands, Mackay, Burnett, Central and South West areas
Further information about the Rural Water Use Efficiency for Irrigation Futures program is available at https://www.dnrm.qld.gov.au/water/access/rural-water-use-efficiency
