QFF Weighs In On Lower Burdekin Rising Groundwater Issue

CANEGROWERS Burdekin Ltd (CBL) recently welcomed a visit by Jo Martin, Policy Advisor, Water from the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) to discuss the issues and priorities related to the Lower Burdekin Rising Ground Water challenges.

The consequences of a rising water table and associated salinity issues have been compounding over decades, and unfortunately, the can has been kicked down the road for far too long. A clear position on what is required to make some significant progress on the development of a plan to resolve this long-standing issue is now urgent.

CANEGROWERS and QFF are working on this unresolved issue with a goal to supporting local growers to secure a long-term resolution.

Who Is QFF?

QFF’s members are agricultural peak bodies who collectively represent more than 13,000 farmers who produce food, fibre and foliage across the state. CANEGROWERS is the peak body for the sugarcane industry and is a tier one member of QFF. The peak body members come together to develop policy and lead projects on the key issues that are important to their farmer members and that supports a strong future for Queensland agriculture.

Who Did QFF Meet With in the Burdekin?

CBL arranged for Sunwater to provide a local update to QFF on the Lower Burdekin Rising Groundwater Project, met with stakeholder and QFF member BRIA Irrigators to gain their feedback on the issue and a local grower directly affected by this challenge. CBL also arranged for a presentation from Burdekin Salt & Minerals Pty Ltd on the Burdekin Salt Project which is investigating the feasibility of using saline groundwater systems to produce crystalline salt and minerals.

Key Solutions and Priorities

The Lower Burdekin Rising Groundwater issue is a complex problem which is going to take a range of multi-pronged solutions to address it over time such as; off and on farm groundwater extraction, approval on a Code of Practice to formalise parameters to enable groundwater export, incentivising growers to pump groundwater, water use irrigation efficiencies and scheme modernisation. Given the magnitude of the problem, the solution that will deliver the most bang for buck is groundwater extraction and the Government need to urgently facilitate the approval pathway to enable implementation of the dewatering solution.  Livelihoods are at risk if decisive actions are not implemented soon.

Where to Next

Farmers invested capital in good faith to purchase and develop land in the Burdekin River Irrigation Area and are now faced with detrimental impacts on their productivity and ongoing viability. QFF is actively engaging with government departments with the viewpoint of supporting tangible actions taking place that deliver meaningful outcomes to address rising groundwater and soil salinity in the Lower Burdekin region.

Join CANEGROWERS
If you’re not yet a member of CANEGROWERS – the peak body that truly leads the industry – get in touch with CBL on 4790 3600 to learn more about the benefits of membership.

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