Project overview

The Next Water Source for Exmouth preliminary business case will look at new water source options to meet current and future water demands in the rural community of Exmouth. Options will seek to provide 500 megalitres to meet the current and forecast future water demand to 2050.

Exmouth experiences water insecurity and reliability issues due to ongoing impacts of climate change. Impacts include the reduction of surface and groundwater in the region. With a strong tourism industry, the town currently carts water in during peak travel periods.

Project overview

This project will see the Australian Government provide funding towards the Queensland Government’s review of the Southern and Darling Downs Regional Water Assessment. The project will include Emu Swamp Dam and Pipeline in the review of options.

Emu Swamp Dam and Pipeline will be compared against alternative water security options for the Southern and Darling Downs region, including Stanthorpe.

This funding confirms the Australian Government's commitment to water security and responsible investment for the region.

Project overview

The NT region the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) would support is currently used for cattle. However, a feasibility assessment completed in 2019 shows the region has potential to also produce irrigated agriculture should water be made available.

The preliminary business case investigated options to expand the ORIA across the NT-WA border to deliver water to the NT from Lake Argyle in WA.

Project overview

The Burdekin Regional Water Assessment will carefully assess long term infrastructure and non-infrastructure solutions to meet the water resource needs of the Burdekin region in an effective and sustainable way.

The assessment will identify options to improve water security and capitalise on opportunities for growth across the Burdekin. Future projects will be prioritised by need, opportunity, location, and scope of work required. The assessment will look at a number of focus areas including: