The tender for groundwater purchases in the area will open on Monday 21 July, 2014. A budget of up to $10 million has been allocated and groundwater entitlement holders will have until Thursday, 14 August 2014 to make an offer.
Groundwater purchases in the Condamine Alluvium will contribute towards the Government's stated commitment to bridging the gap to meet the Sustainable Diversion Limits as set out in the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
"These purchases are part of the Commonwealth's water purchasing programme in the Central Condamine Alluvium and are an important step towards long term sustainability for groundwater irrigators in the region," the Department of the Environment asserted in a statement (15 July).
"A reduction in groundwater extractions for the Central Condamine Alluvium was included in the Basin Plan due to concern about declining groundwater levels.
"Water purchasing will help protect the productive base of the groundwater resource for the long term benefit of irrigators and the local community."
The Australian Government says it is committed to implementing the Basin Plan on time and in full.
"This tender was developed in close consultation with Queensland Government officials and local stakeholders."
