Cotton Australia General Manager Michael Murray visited Central Queensland this week to meet with the Central Highlands Cotton Growers and Irrigators Association and the Dawson Valley Cotton Growers Association. The visits focused on key water policy issues affecting growers, including the Draft Central Queensland Regional Water Assessment, the review of the Fitzroy Water Resource Plan and the long-term management of irrigation water. The meetings also provided an opportunity for growers to discuss local priorities and strengthen their engagement on regional water policy.

Central Highlands Cotton Growers and Irrigators Association

The Central Highlands Cotton Growers and Irrigators Association took a step forward in strengthening its water policy capability by bringing together a cross-section of its membership in Emerald.

Prompted by the release of the Draft Central Queensland Regional Water Assessment, the review of the Fitzroy Water Resource Plan and a broader recognition of the need to build the Association's collective capacity on rural water issues, members discussed the key policy documents guiding water management in the region and their implications for irrigators.

An outcome of the meeting was the development of a draft response to the Regional Water Assessment. Members highlighted that any proposed rule changes to provide greater security for Emerald's urban water supply must not come at the expense of irrigator reliability. The group agreed that, if additional urban water is required, it should be sourced through the market.

The Association also agreed to establish a formal Water Working Group to support its ongoing engagement on water policy.

Next week (Thursday, 16 July), the Association will host representatives from the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers. The visit will provide departmental officials with a greater understanding of on-the-ground irrigator issues while also giving growers an update on the Fitzroy Basin Water Resource Plan Review.

Dawson Valley Cotton Growers Association

The Dawson Valley Cotton Growers Association recently hosted Maxine Kerr and Kira Hinton from the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers. Both are directly involved in the review of the Fitzroy Basin Water Resource Plan and also updated growers on the Department's Unlocking Water Project and the Central Queensland Regional Water Assessment.

A key component of the visit was a farm tour organised by Association Chair Andrew French, showcasing developments made possible through the release of the Dawson Valley Strategic Infrastructure Reserve Water. Growers highlighted that this water has become an integral part of the local economy, supporting thousands of hectares of new irrigation development, significant private investment, increased on- and off-farm employment, and the ongoing viability of the Moura cotton gin.

Departmental representatives also heard a range of views on securing long-term access to this water, including releasing it for permanent sale, extending the current lease period from three to 10 years, or constructing weirs on the Dawson River to enable some or all of the allocation to be converted to a supplemented water product.

Following the tour, Association members met to discuss the Regional Water Assessment and receive an update on broader water management issues. Members also agreed to host a golf day in honour of local grower Greg Austin, who passed away last year.

Following the Central Highlands and Dawson Valley visits, Cotton Australia lodged a submission to the Draft Central Queensland Regional Water Assessment.