Cotton Australia is hosting an online information session for Queensland growers to explain proposed changes to how Sunwater charges are set, with a shift from the long-used annuity model to a Regulated Asset Base (RAB) approach now under consideration.

The Queensland Government has asked the Queensland Competition Authority to determine Sunwater charges for the 2027–28 and 2028–29 water years using a RAB model to fund renewals, rather than the current annuity approach. While a move to RAB could lead to increased costs over the longer term, it may also result in some shorter-term reductions for a number of schemes.

Given the complexity of the issue, Cotton Australia has engaged Highlander Consulting, with funding support from the Queensland Government and the Queensland Farmers’ Federation, to assess the relative advantages of each approach and the likely impacts on water pricing.

Cotton Australia General Manager Michael Murray will host the online briefing, presenting the findings of the report and leading a broader discussion on the two systems.

Online briefing

2pm (Qld), Monday March 30

Register to attend.

The session will be recorded and shared after the event.

Submission

The QCA is welcoming submissions on the proposal, and they close on April 7. For information on the review, including the Sunwater submissions can be found at https://www.qca.org.au/project/rural-water/review-of-rab-based-irrigation-prices-2027-29/