Making Water Work program: Visionary land use planning to facilitate development precincts

This project was one of five sub-projects developed to support the broader Making Water Work business case, an integrated regional initiative designed to maximise the economic, social, environmental and cultural value of new and existing water resources in the Lower Fitzroy region following the development of Rookwood Weir. While new water infrastructure creates opportunity, agricultural development depends on more than water availability alone. It requires coordinated planning, infrastructure investment, landholder participation and a clear understanding of market demand and development constraints. This project focused on addressing those challenges by testing how strategic land use planning could support the development of a new irrigation precinct in the South Yaamba area, targeting landholders with suitable agricultural land but without direct access to river water. Working closely with local landholders and regional stakeholders, the project confirmed demand for irrigation water, assessed land suitability and agricultural development potential, and modelled likely water demand, production value and broader economic benefits. A structured engagement process informed the development of a preferred irrigation scheme concept, including preliminary infrastructure design, capital and operating cost estimates, and consideration of associated impacts on transport, energy, telecommunications and supply chains. The research validated the viability of a local irrigation water supply scheme to improve water security and unlock higher-value agricultural production in the region. Early estimates indicated the potential for significant capital investment in both shared irrigation infrastructure and on-farm development, with increased agricultural production and associated regional economic benefits. As a pilot project, this work developed a practical methodology for assessing new irrigation precinct opportunities that can be adapted to other regions with similar objectives across northern Australia. More information is available at: https://www.advancerockhampton.com.au/Industries/Agriculture-and-Water/Cropping-Irrigation-Horticulture  https://www.nationaltribune.com.au/rockhampton-regional-council-leads-new-project-to-protect-the-reef

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