Emerald locals take charge of water
The Queensland government has transferred the Emerald channel scheme to the irrigator-owned Fairbairn Irrigation. Read more.
6 July 2019
Strong support for Emerald to move to local management
Emerald irrigators this month voted to own and manage their local channel scheme. Read more.
8 March 2019
Transition marks new era for Theodore
Theodore Water transitioned to local management this month. Read more about its future here.
1 October, 2018
St George locals now in charge of their water
Read the statement from Queensland Natural Resources Minister Dr Anthony Lynham and what local management means for scheme irrigators here.
3 July, 2018
Theodore irrigators vote yes to local management
Theodore scheme customers representing more than 95 per cent of the channel scheme’s water supply have supported a transition to local management from October 1 this year. More
5 June, 2018
Emerald seeks project management expertise
As negotiations approach the final stages and customers are soon to vote, the Emerald scheme is seeking a Project Manager to oversee the move to local management. Find role details and how to apply here.
24 May, 2018
Theodore irrigators to meet and discuss local management offer
Irrigators will meet next week to consider an offer to take over the scheme. The meeting has been scheduled for Friday, 20 April at 6pm at the Theodore Hotel.
11 April, 2018
St George irrigators the first to move to local management
An overwhelming majority of St George irrigators have supported a move to own and manage the St George channel scheme from 30 June this year. More
27 March, 2018
St George irrigators to meet and discuss local management offer
In anticipation of a local management offer being distributed this month, a date had been set for irrigators to meet. A meeting has been scheduled for Monday 5 February, 2018 at QC/AGnVet Office, Thallon Rd at 4pm.
19 January, 2018
Local irrigators expect to receive offer to take over the St George irrigation scheme early in 2018
Local irrigators have been advised to keep an eye on the post for an offer to take over the St George irrigation scheme after its transition board signed a transfer agreement with government.
21 December, 2017
Burdekin irrigators support move to local management
Government is considering if local irrigators will receive an offer to take over the Burdekin-Haughton irrigation scheme after the Burdekin investigation board submitted an updated Business Proposal. This month irrigators were given the results of a recent ballot to gauge their support.
18 December, 2017
Mareeba-Dimbulah keeps local management alive
The Mareeba-Dimbulah investigation board has submitted its updated Business Proposal to government after receiving good support from irrigators and local stakeholders. The government is now considering if an offer will be made to irrigators to own and manage the scheme.
18 December, 2017
Lower Mary withdraws from local management
The Lower Mary investigation board has committed to transferring the knowledge gained during the local management process to SunWater after deciding to withdraw. Irrigators have been advised that a new Customer Advisory Board will formalise the arrangement.
15 December, 2017
Bundaberg withdraws from local management
After almost a year examining the long-term viability of the Bundaberg scheme under local management, the Bundaberg investigation board has withdrawn from the process. The Board has outlined its reasons to irrigators.
7 December, 2017
Extension for investigation schemes to submit their business proposal
Government has granted an extension of time for Investigation schemes to submit their revised Business Proposals to 30 November, 2017.
16 September, 2017
Local Boards established to further negotiate local management
Boards have been established to negotiate a local management offer on behalf of customers in Emerald, Eton, St George and Theodore and to consider submitting a revised business proposal in Bundaberg, Burdekin, Lower Mary and Mareeba-Dimbulah. State government statement outlining stage 3.
12 December, 2016
Independent report recommends a staged approach to local management for irrigation schemes
Following a detailed assessment of the benefits and support for a move to local management by interim boards an independent report outlining the findings and recommendations was released.
8 November, 2014
Interim boards investigate options for local management of eight channel irrigation scheme
Eight interim boards have been set up to investigate local management and submit business proposals demonstrating how the channel schemes could realise significant benefits from local management.
4 July, 2013
Local management project announced
Irrigators in eight schemes have been invited to pursue local management by developing business proposals to transition their scheme from government to local ownership and management. Government statement outlines stage 2.
19 December, 2012
Review recommends progressing investigation and transfer of irrigation schemes
Final Report of the Local Arrangements Working Group outlines three stage process to transitioning Sunwater’s channel irrigation schemes to local management.