Climate change
There have been changes in rainfall and climate since the current plan was established in 2004.
We will be reviewing the Georgina and Diamantina hydrology (the scientific study of how water moves, is distributed and is managed) to determine how water availability has changed since then.
We will undertake a technical assessment to evaluate possible future impacts of climate change to water availability in the region.
Read in detail how we manage climate change risks.
Queensland’s water plans in a variable and changing climate report (PDF, 19.0MB) identifies climate impacts across each of the water plan areas. For example, on pages 50 and 51 there's a snapshot of observed and projected climate trends for the Georgina and Diamantina water plan area. This snapshot includes two scenarios – high greenhouse gas emissions (RCP8.5) and lower greenhouse gas emissions (RCP4.5) – for the years 2030 and 2050. They indicate:
- average daily temperatures are projected to increase between 1 and 2 degrees centigrade
- average annual rainfall is projected to increase up to 3 per cent for the high emissions scenario
- average annual rainfall is projected to increase in 2030 by 4 per cent and in 2050 by 1 per cent for the lower emissions scenario
- average annual potential evapotranspiration (PET) is projected to increase between 6 and 15 per cent.
© Queensland Government
© Queensland Government
© Queensland Government
What do you think?
What rainfall and climate-related impacts have you been experiencing?For example, you may have come across some of these issues:
- increased water use
- increased evaporation losses from water storages and water courses
- waterholes drying up or holding water for less time.
More information
- View the projected climate change impacts in the Georgina and Diamantina by reading Queensland’s water plans in a variable and changing climate report (PDF, 19.0MB)
Last updated: 29 Apr 2024