A $1.2 million Sunwater program to be facilitated by Advance Rockhampton is set to help Central Queensland farmers bid for water from the new Rookwood Weir.
Queensland Minister for Water, Glenn Butcher said Sunwater’s Rookwood Weir Landholder Support Program will provide services including farm and land use planning, agronomy assessment, irrigation design, commercial feasibility assessments and legal advice.
He said the program had been developed from information gathered in an Expression of Interest process in 2020, and will be funded by Sunwater in the form of a grants application process.
“The program will be tailored specifically to farmers’ landholdings and will assist them in understanding and gathering the relevant information to participate in the second tender,” Mr Butcher said.
“A minimum of 7,500 megalitres will be released in the second stage of the tender, with bidders able to apply for lots of up to 500 megalitres.
“This follows the successful sale of 30,000 megalitres in December 2020.”
Rockhampton Region Mayor, Tony Williams said the introduction of the support program epitomised Rockhampton Regional Council’s commitment to the $367.7 million Rookwood Weir project.
“We’re thrilled to facilitate this support for eligible landholders, and we encourage all Lower Fitzroy landholders interested in participating in the second tender for water to apply,” Mayor Williams said.
“The program will assist irrigators in understanding and capitalising on the many opportunities made available by securing water from this region-changing piece of infrastructure.”
Advance Rockhampton Executive Manager, Greg Bowden said the program was well aligned to Rockhampton Regional Council’s Economic Development Strategy.
“As the economic capital of Central Queensland, the Rockhampton Region is actively seeking new investment opportunities in agribusiness, agritech and manufacturing facilities,” Mr Bowden said.
“The program provides local landholders with the opportunity to invest in their transition to higher value crops and capitalise on the opportunity to secure water allocations from Rookwood Weir”.
To find out more about Rookwood Weir visit www.sunwater.com.au/projects/rookwood-weir-project
For more information about Advance Rockhampton visit www.advancerockhampton.com.au
