April 15, 2022
Irrigators – and future irrigators – in the Burnett region have been urged to fill out an online survey by May 15.
The survey, by Natural Capital Economics, is part of Sunwater’s $3 million Bundaberg and Burnett Regional Water Assessment (BBRWA).
(Note: This is different to the survey forms which were distributed in the South Burnett recently in conjunction with the next phase of the Burnett Water Feasibility study).
The BBRWA aims to understand the region’s water needs over the next 30 years and help build a business case for securing funding to address those needs.
Sunwater will be working on the assessment over the next 12-18 months.
“Sunwater recognises that the BBRWA follows a lot of work by Local Government, industry groups and others in the region who have identified projects and undertaken studies, reviews and business cases – some of which are still ongoing,” a Sunwater spokesperson said.
“If this is the case, then why are we asking you to participate in yet another study?
“The BBRWA is different to previous investigations.
“It will look at the needs and opportunities across the entire region, not on a project-by-project basis.
“This means that all options can be assessed, both individually and together, to determine how the region’s water needs can be met.
“By looking at all projects together, it means we can use a common approach to determining need and the ability of projects to meet that need. Ultimately this will inform the development of a region-wide strategy to create economic opportunity through water.”
Submissions must be completed online by Friday, May 15.
The BBRWA – which covers the Bundaberg, South Burnett, North Burnett and Cherbourg council areas – is one of three regional water assessments being undertaken by the State Government in a $9 million project.
The other two cover the Southern and Darling Downs (Southern Downs, Goondiwindi and Toowoomba council areas plus parts of the Western Downs around Dalby), and Tablelands (Tablelands Regional Council and eastern parts of Mareeba Shire Council).
External links:
- The online survey (NB. The explanation video uses the Southern and Darling Downs as an example but covers the same questions as the BBRWA survey)
- Regional Water Assessment Program
Related article: $3m Project To Assess Water Options
