Almost six gigalitres of groundwater has been recovered in the second tranche of the Australian Government’s Upper Condamine Alluvium groundwater buyback.
Head of Water at the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Paul Morris, said a total of 5.8 gigalitres was recovered in the second tranche, leading to a total of 24.5 gigalitres recovered to date towards the 40.4 target.
“I encourage eligible water entitlement holders to participate in the final tranche to ensure long-term sustainability targets are achieved,” Mr Morris said.
The groundwater buyback is a unique opportunity to secure a significant volume of water in a catchment in need of protection.
The first two tranches have delivered important volumes of water towards the target for the Queensland Upper Condamine Alluvium.
“With one tranche of the tender process left to go, we are well on our way to achieving the groundwater Sustainable Diversion Limits and the triple-bottom line outcomes of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan,” Mr Morris said.
“The goal for the Commonwealth is to ensure the long-term sustainability targets are achieved, as well as the health of the aquifers that lead to better outcomes for the irrigation in the region.
“We are working to deliver a healthy and productive future for the Murray-Darling Basin and for the rural and regional communities that depend on it.”
The final tranche for the tender process closes on 31 July 2018.
For more information on the Queensland Upper Condamine Alluvium groundwater tender, visit the department website.
