Extending the Wet Tropics water plan

The Wet Tropics water plan is due to end on 1 September 2024 which usually means it gets replaced with a new plan. We’re proposing to extend this to 2032 and you’re invited to have your say.

The latest Minister’s performance assessment report (PDF, 2.3MB) shows that the Wet Tropics water plan is effective in managing the allocation and protection of water resources in the region. These assessments are done every five years to check how the water plan is working. There are no high risks to water entitlement holders or natural ecosystems in the Wet Tropics water plan area (PDF, 430.9KB).

If we extend (or “postpone the expiry of”) this water plan, the current water management arrangements will remain until 1 December 2032. Water plan implementation and monitoring activities will continue and the water plan will get another performance assessment before this new expiry date to double check it is still working effectively.

If you have any thoughts about this proposal, please let us know by 15 July 2024 by reading the How to give your feedback section below.

About the water plan

The Wet Tropics water plan area in Far North Queensland includes seven river catchments that all flow into the Coral Sea and the Great Barrier Reef:

• the Daintree
• Mossman
• Mulgrave-Russell
• Johnstone
• Tully
• Murray
• Herbert.

These catchments support the water needs of many urban areas, such as Cairns, Port Douglas, Mossman, Tully, Ingham, Cardwell, Mission Beach, Atherton, Malanda, and Ravenshoe.

The largest water storage in the water plan area is Koombooloomba Dam on the Tully River, which has a volume of 216,600ML and supplies hydroelectricity to the local power grid.

Within the water plan area, agriculture is the primary consumer of water, particularly for cultivating bananas and sugarcane. The water plan plays a crucial role in supporting and preserving environmental values, especially in ecologically significant areas such as Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

The Wet Tropics water plan also aims to support water-related cultural values of First Nations peoples in the water plan area to help achieve their social and economic aspirations.

How to give your feedback

Everyone interested in water management in the Wet Tropics is welcome to provide a written submission by 15 July 2024.

Include as much detail as possible. You can include your contact details if you are happy for us to contact you to talk about your submission.

To make a submission, please use the option that suits you:

• Fill out the online submission form or print the submission form (PDF, 292.1KB) to send in.
• Email your comments to NorthWPS@rdmw.qld.gov.au
• Post a written submission to:
  • Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water
    Attn: Water Planning and Science
    North Region
    PO Box 20
    South Johnstone Qld 4859

More information

• Phone 1800 822 100
• Read about current water management in the Wet Tropics
• Explore the ways we use science to develop, monitor, review and evaluate our water plans using our interactive story map.