FARMERS in Queensland's Lower Balonne looking to offload water will now be able to do so following a Supreme Court ruling allowing the sale of water rights.
Minister for Water Penny Wong has announced today a new $100 million water purchase tender to start on March 22 and close on April 16.
“The Lower Balonne system has been identified as a high priority for environmental water recovery," Senator Wong said.
"Water purchases made through this tender will deliver long-term benefits by providing additional water to key environmental assets such as the Culgoa Floodplain and the Ramsar-listed Narran Lakes.”
The Queensland Government has introduced legislation into the Parliament that will finalise the Resource Operations Plan (ROP) governing the Lower Balonne.
“I welcome the news that the Queensland Government is moving to finalise the Lower Balonne part of the ROP because this will remove a major source of uncertainty for both buyers and sellers within the Lower Balonne,” Senator Wong said.
Copies of the guidelines and the application form for people willing to sell their water will be available at www.environment.gov.au/waterpurch asing on March 22 or can be obtained at that time by calling 1800 218 478.
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