The State Government continues to protect the Great Artesian Basin (GAB) with up to $32 million over four years to deliver more capping and piping activities.
This will add to the more than $89 million the Queensland Government has invested to protect the GAB. This important program has leveraged co-investment from landholders and industry.
The GAB supports around 80 communities in outback Queensland and is essential to agriculture, industry and the environment.
In addition, the GAB supports more than 280 natural spring ecosystems, with many of these ecosystems providing a home to rare and endangered flora and fauna.
Since work began to improve the GAB, more than 226,000 megalitres have been returned to the Basin.
So far, this work has saved about 3,000 megalitres of water, capping eight bores and replacing 137 kilometres of open bore drains with controlled watering systems. It is hoped that another 2,182 megalitres of water can be returned to the Basin with this funding and get closer to becoming watertight by 2032.
The Government’s announcement to ban carbon capture and storage in the Queensland component of the Great Artesian Basin supports the protection of this crucial water source.
Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:
“Protecting our wonderful Queensland environment is vital to me.
“Supporting our primary producers is critical for our economy, and further investment in this bore-capping program is doing just that: locking in water security.
“The Great Artesian Basin is too important for Queensland to mess with. That’s why we have banned CCS in the Great Artesian Basin, and it’s why we are continuing to protect one of the greatest natural assets in the world.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing, Minister for Water, Glenn Butcher:
“The Great Artesian Basin is the largest groundwater aquifer in the world and is a pristine feature that we must protect.
I’m proud to be part of the Government that is banning carbon capture and storage in the GAB forever. But our work doesn’t stop there – our capping and piping work brings together graziers, environmentalists and regional Councils – who all understand the importance of this vital water resource.
Quotes attributable to Murweh Shire Council, Mayor Shaun (Zoro) Radnedge:
“This program is all about capping bores, making our water source more sustainable and reliable.
“Not only does this give us more reliability, but it also provides sustainability, and the Great Artesian Basin needs to be protected for future generations. I applaud the State Government.”
Quotes attributable to Queensland Farmers’ Federation CEO Jo Sheppard:
“QFF welcomes the Queensland government’s ongoing investment in the Great Artesian Basin Water Security Program to continue our journey towards making the Basin watertight by 2032. This important initiative has supported the rehabilitation of approximately 770 bores and 450 bores piped. Over 15,000 kilometres of open drains have been decommissioned since its inception, resulting in significant water savings and the restoration of groundwater pressure across the Basin.
“The Great Artesian Basin is one of our most valuable natural water-producing assets, and it is our responsibility to continue to protect it for future generations. This program directly invests in water security for farmers and regional communities relying on the Great Artesian Basin.”
Quotes attributable to Economist, Professor Ross Garnaut:
“The scheme to cap the wasting wells of the Great Artesian Basin is a tremendous success story in environmental management. One of Australia’s essential success stories.
“I’m delighted to hear that the Queensland Government has invited the Commonwealth Government to join it in going a big step towards completing this major environmental project.”
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