$6.9 million to make the case for new water infrastructure in Queensland's north

The Australian Government is investing $6.9 million through the National Water Grid Fund towards detailed business cases for two new water infrastructure projects in northern Queensland.

The investment includes $5 million to investigate the construction of a new 105 kilometre underground pipeline from the Burdekin River to Bowen, which could distribute up to 100 gigalitres to agricultural and primary industry customers every year.

The remaining $1.9 million will deliver the detailed business case required for the Burdekin Haughton Water Supply Scheme Modernisation project.

This business case will consider the viability of new or upgraded infrastructure in the scheme, which will have the potential to recover 15 to 20 gigalitres of additional water that can be allocated to local growers and farmers. It could also protect the groundwater table by reducing inflows by up to 3,000 megalitres a year.

The business cases are an essential early step towards securing the reliable water northern Queensland farmers need to expand and prosper.

Read more in the Deputy Prime Minister’s media release.