Unlocking water in the Mitchell water plan area

We have analysed the Mitchell water plan to find ways to improve access to water and help local industries grow.

We assessed these types of information:

• water demand gathered from
  • detailed business cases of relevant projects
  • unallocated water expressions of interest (EOI)
  • direct feedback from water users and stakeholders
• unallocated water reserves
• existing water entitlements.

Recommendations

The Mitchell water plan is under review to replace it with a new plan. We found five actions to improve access to water without affecting the review process underway.

1. Make new water licences available from current unallocated water reserves.
   • These new licences will be limited to small volumes of water. This is the best way to protect existing downstream water users and the environment.
   • These new water licences are subject to change if management arrangements are changed through the water plan review process.
   • People who apply for these new water licences will be informed of any changes that may occur through the water plan review process.
2. Reduce red tape to make it easier to access water.
3. Improve water availability through the water plan review and replacement process.
4. Create more opportunities for seasonal water assignments (temporary trading) by expanding trading zones.
5. Consider a future release of unallocated water under the new water plan.

Timing and next steps

Recommendation 1 is scheduled to happen before the water plan review and replacement is finalised to get water into the hands of those who need it now.

Recommendations 2, 3 and 4 are to be considered as part of the water plan review.

Recommendation 5 will be considered once the new Mitchell water plan in place.

Our next steps to action these recommendations are:

• Review the Mitchell unallocated water EOIs and refine licence specifications – July-October 2025
• Make a formal decision to release unallocated water – Late 2025
• Run the application and assessment process for new water licences from unallocated water reserves - Mid 2026
• Issue new water licences – Late 2026
• Public consultation on the draft new water plan – Early 2027
• Finalise the new Mitchell water plan – Mid 2028
• Review demand and consider further release of unallocated water – 2028

More information

• Read the summary of these findings (PDF, 2MB), including a map showing locations of known water demand and proposed water releases
• Email waterhub@dlgwv.qld.gov.au for more information
• Read about the Mitchell water plan area
• Get involved in the Mitchell water plan review
• Understand the process for releasing unallocated water
• Learn about water trading
• Watch our video What is a water plan?