Water Security for Northern Australia program: Lower Fitzroy catchment (CQ)

Project locations: Rockhampton Fitzroy region

Project partners: CQUniversity

Project summary and impacts

The Lower Fitzroy catchment is one of four focal nodes within the Water Security for Northern Australia (WSNA) program and is centred on the opportunities emerging from the development of Rookwood Weir in Central Queensland. While the region has strong potential for new irrigated agriculture, horticulture and specialty crops, further research is needed to reduce investment risk and support sustainable agricultural expansion across the catchment.

This project is investigating how new irrigation infrastructure can support productive and resilient farming systems through research into agricultural technology, water quality monitoring, specialty crops and agricultural supply chains. Activities include assessing emerging agtech solutions for northern farming systems, developing smarter water quality monitoring approaches, evaluating the potential for higher value and specialty crops, and modelling the upstream and downstream supply chain requirements needed to support future agricultural growth.

Researchers are working closely with growers and industry stakeholders to identify practical opportunities for innovation, including on-farm technology trials, crop performance evaluations and new production systems tailored to northern conditions. The project is also examining how future agricultural development may affect labour demand, energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and fertiliser requirements, helping inform low-emissions and circular economy opportunities across the region.

Through this integrated research approach, the project aims to support informed investment decisions, improve environmental outcomes and strengthen the long-term sustainability and productivity of the Lower Fitzroy agricultural precinct.

Node contact: Professor John Rolfe Central Queensland University, email: j.rolfe@cqu.edu.au

Background:

This Water Security for Northern Australia (WSNA) program is being delivered through a partnership between the CRCNA and the Northern Australia Universities Alliance.

The WSNA program will develop and implement a series of research projects which address problematic issues which are constraining sustainable water resource utilisation in four key precincts or focal nodes across Northern Australia. These focal nodes are (Gilbert catchment (QLD), Daly River (NT), Ord River Irrigation Area (WA) and Lower Fitzroy catchment (QLD)).

These focal nodes were selected by the CRCNA based on prior assessments and consultation indicating they are likely locations of further water resource development pressure.  In order to develop such a series of research projects, it was first required that the relevant stakeholders in each focal node be engaged in a co-design process.

The four focal nodes were developed through a 5-month engagement phase and now report to regional stakeholder advisory groups: Co-design phase of the Water Security for Northern Australia.