February Updates on Queensland Water Planning

At present, a number of water planning processes are being undertaken in Queensland, including Water Resource Plans (WRPs), Resource Operations Plans (ROPs) and reviews. More information on Queensland water planning is available here.

Water Resource Plans (WRPs)

In preparation of the Baffle Creek Basin WRP, the  sixth Community Reference Panel (CRP) meeting held last December. Participants were informed that the draft Baffle Creek Basin WRP will go before Cabinet in early 2009. The Fitzroy Basin WRP is currently being reviewed. In Queensland, it is a statutory requirement that water resource plans are reviewed every 10 years, and the Fitzroy is the first of these reviews.  At the first CRP held in Rockhampton last November, the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water gave presentations on the socio-economic report, the hydrological model and the environmental assessment framework that will be used to inform development of the new plan.

Resource Operation Plans (ROPs)

The Burdekin Basin, Mitchell River and Gulf Catchments Resource Operations Plans (ROPs) were each released for public comment in October of last year. Opportunities for public comment on these plans have now close. The ROPs for the Logan, Moreton and Gold Coast Basins have now been released for public comment, which are due by 18th March 2009.