Queensland Govt dedicates millions for water security and irrigators

The Queensland Government is delivering for Queensland with better water security and cost relief for irrigators in the 2025–26 Budget.

The Queensland Government is delivering for Queensland with better water security in the 2025–26 Budget, including cost relief for irrigators and a review to identify potential new water sources in South East Queensland.

The Local Government, Water and Volunteers Budget is the foundation of a fresh start and plan for Queensland’s future, with funding to make Works for Queensland permanent.

The Budget delivers $200 million over two years from 2027–28, and $100 million each year ongoing, to support jobs and infrastructure in regional communities through the local government support program.

Almost $38 million will deliver on the Queensland Government’s election commitment to progress the business case for the Water for Warrill project, build new weirs at Barlil and Cooranga in the North and South Burnett regions, and five new or upgraded weirs on the Thompson River near Longreach.

Almost $51 million over two years will deliver a 15 per cent discount for eligible irrigators to help make essential water resources more affordable for Queensland’s primary producers.

More than $41 million over five years will deliver vital upgrades to critical water and sewerage infrastructure in remote First Nations communities across the Torres Strait to improve health outcomes.

The Closing the Gap Priorities fund also allocates $34 million to support water supply improvements and infrastructure upgrades for the communities of Aurukun, Kowanyama, and Woorabinda.

Minister for Local Government, Water and Volunteers Ann Leahy said the Queensland Government was delivering water security and support for local Councils.

“Unlocking water is the key to delivering economic opportunity to our rural and regional communities, which is why we are delivering more water security in this Budget,” Minister Leahy said. “With new weirs, water infrastructure and cost relief for irrigators, we are ensuring every drop of water will be put to good use, growing our local economies. Queenslanders deserve to know their water sources are secure, drought resilient and that there is capacity for economic growth when they want it. We are also delivering certainty and support for local government, with a permanent Works for Queensland program and a boost to Betterment, which will help communities build back better after natural disasters.”

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