North Johnstone Diversion
Food and Water Security
Water and food security have become priority national policy issues on the back of record drought periods in Australia, as well as disruption to supply chains through COVID-19 and recent flooding events. The ability to meet increased demand for fresh Australian produce from Far North Queensland is at major risk due to the lack of a long-term water implementation strategy. Agricultural exports are vital to FNQ with the industry sector output currently valued at $2.7bn, constrained mainly by factors such as irrigation and access to market. Urban demand also continues to increase with Cairns’ population growth averaging 1.9% per annum over the past 10 years. This, combined with a long-running history of three million tourists visiting FNQ annually, means an effective and multi-faceted water supply strategy is required to ensure the growing needs of the region can be met.
The North Johnstone diversion involves transferring water from the Johnstone River to Lake Tinaroo to increase the water supply from Tinaroo Falls Dam. A 2020 feasibility study by Sunwater showed that the diversion could deliver up to 50,000ML annually. In 2021, the State Government's $9 million Regional Water Assessment Program (RWAP) recommended a detailed business case for the project within a 10-year timeframe. However, it's crucial that the Queensland Government shortens this timeline for the business case completion to ensure current and future water demand is met, securing the agricultural output from the region.
Benefits to the region
• Expanding northern Australia’s agricultural productive capacity – this is nationally significant given the impact of drought on food and water security in southern Australia
• Increasing northern Australia’s contribution to GDP through an increase in agricultural production
• Diversifying northern Australia’s economic capabilities to facilitate investment and reduce reliance on tourism
• Strengthening Australia’s international competitiveness through proximity to Asia
Recommendation
The Queensland Government release the final Tablelands Regional Water Assessment it is considering by 30 September 2024.
Within the final RWA, the Queensland Government adopts a medium-term target completion date (2-5 years) for the detailed business case into the North Johnstone Diversion.
Overview
The North Johnstone diversion involves transferring water from the Johnstone River to Lake Tinaroo, redirecting unallocated water from the river to boost the water supply accessible from Tinaroo Falls Dam.
Sunwater completed a preliminary feasibility study in early 2020 indicating the diversion could deliver up 50,000ML annually into Lake Tinaroo. In 2021 the State Government announced its $9m Regional Water Assessment Program (RWAP) for three regions, one of which was the Tablelands. The RWAP aims to set roadmaps for economic growth, building on previous water supply investigations in each region, taking a comprehensive view of local water needs and identification of gaps to be filled.
The Regional Water Assessments (RWA) will set out how infrastructure and non-infrastructure solutions can be used to maximise water supply in each area and drive economic growth.
The North Johnstone diversion was one of 113 potential water supply and security options considered by the Tablelands RWA and in July 2023 was identified as one of the key projects for action in the release of the draft RWA. While the draft recognised the North Johnstone Diversion as one of the priority projects warranting further investigation, it was not included in the short term (within two years) or medium term (2-5 years) action list.
Instead it was categorised in the long-term priorities for ‘target completion in 10 years and beyond’ with the action stating ‘review supply and demand balance and subject to outcome, initiate DBC (detailed business case) for the North Johnstone Diversion’.
Public consultation on the draft RWA closed in late July 2023. The feedback received has been incorporated into an updated Regional Water Assessment which is now before the Queensland Government for review/approval.
If the Queensland Government adopts the 10-year+ timeline as per the draft RWA, this would result in a significant delay to the project given DBCs typically take up to two years to complete, followed by the need to secure government funding and obtain environmental approvals – all before construction could ultimately begin.
With an estimated cost of $115m-$150m to produce up to 11,400ML annually[i], it is imperative that the Queensland Government release the final Tablelands RWA and within that bring forward the North Johnstone DBC target timeframe to ensure current and future water demand is met, securing the agricultural output from the region
[i] The State of Queensland, Draft Regional Water Assessment – Tablelands
Last updated: August 2024
The North Johnstone diversion involves transferring water from the Johnstone River to Lake Tinaroo to increase the water supply from Tinaroo Falls Dam. A 2020 feasibility study by Sunwater showed that the diversion could deliver up to 50,000ML annually. In 2021, the State Government's $9 million Regional Water Assessment Program (RWAP) recommended a detailed business case for the project within a 10-year timeframe. However, it's crucial that the Queensland Government shortens this timeline for the business case completion to ensure current and future water demand is met, securing the agricultural output from the region.
Benefits to the region
• Expanding northern Australia’s agricultural productive capacity – this is nationally significant given the impact of drought on food and water security in southern Australia
• Increasing northern Australia’s contribution to GDP through an increase in agricultural production
• Diversifying northern Australia’s economic capabilities to facilitate investment and reduce reliance on tourism
• Strengthening Australia’s international competitiveness through proximity to Asia
Recommendation
The Queensland Government release the final Tablelands Regional Water Assessment it is considering by 30 September 2024.
Within the final RWA, the Queensland Government adopts a medium-term target completion date (2-5 years) for the detailed business case into the North Johnstone Diversion.
Overview
The North Johnstone diversion involves transferring water from the Johnstone River to Lake Tinaroo, redirecting unallocated water from the river to boost the water supply accessible from Tinaroo Falls Dam.
Sunwater completed a preliminary feasibility study in early 2020 indicating the diversion could deliver up 50,000ML annually into Lake Tinaroo. In 2021 the State Government announced its $9m Regional Water Assessment Program (RWAP) for three regions, one of which was the Tablelands. The RWAP aims to set roadmaps for economic growth, building on previous water supply investigations in each region, taking a comprehensive view of local water needs and identification of gaps to be filled.
The Regional Water Assessments (RWA) will set out how infrastructure and non-infrastructure solutions can be used to maximise water supply in each area and drive economic growth.
The North Johnstone diversion was one of 113 potential water supply and security options considered by the Tablelands RWA and in July 2023 was identified as one of the key projects for action in the release of the draft RWA. While the draft recognised the North Johnstone Diversion as one of the priority projects warranting further investigation, it was not included in the short term (within two years) or medium term (2-5 years) action list.
Instead it was categorised in the long-term priorities for ‘target completion in 10 years and beyond’ with the action stating ‘review supply and demand balance and subject to outcome, initiate DBC (detailed business case) for the North Johnstone Diversion’.
Public consultation on the draft RWA closed in late July 2023. The feedback received has been incorporated into an updated Regional Water Assessment which is now before the Queensland Government for review/approval.
If the Queensland Government adopts the 10-year+ timeline as per the draft RWA, this would result in a significant delay to the project given DBCs typically take up to two years to complete, followed by the need to secure government funding and obtain environmental approvals – all before construction could ultimately begin.
With an estimated cost of $115m-$150m to produce up to 11,400ML annually[i], it is imperative that the Queensland Government release the final Tablelands RWA and within that bring forward the North Johnstone DBC target timeframe to ensure current and future water demand is met, securing the agricultural output from the region
[i] The State of Queensland, Draft Regional Water Assessment – Tablelands
Last updated: August 2024
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