Turf QLD Industry Alert |Water Restrictions on the Horizon.

Water Restrictions on the Horizon.

I have been asked by a couple of the Turf Queensland board members to send this out to everyone for their knowledge.

The Department of Natural Resources and Mines have commenced communications regarding the declining water situation in Queensland.

As you will all be aware since Cyclone Debbie we have had no rain across the state. This is placed heavy demand on our on-farm water storage in particular. Some farms are struggling with on-farm storage. When looking at the dam levels below you could be excused to wonder what is going on. However with a dry winter and continuing dry spring this could get evaporated very quickly.

The Department has warned that:

“we are one failed wet season away from water restrictions”

This is a timely warning to consider your water storage capacities and plans.

In 2011 we had restrictions that fortunately we were able to negotiate with the Department to receive approvals to water newly laid turf for establishment.

Our farmers in Townsville are still under heavy level 3 restrictions.

For your information our main dam capacities are currently (Sept 17):

• Atkinson 6%.
• Clarendon 8%.
• Burdekin Falls 92%.
• Fairbairn 41%
• Peter Faust/Proserpine 77%.
• Tinaroo 48%.
• North Pine/Samsonvale 68%.
• Somerset 76%.
• Wivenhoe 68%.
• Wyaralong (Beaudesert) 96%.
• Moogerah 94%.
• Hinze 97%.
• Ross (Townsville) 18%.
• Toowoomba 3 dams 55%.

CHEERS

Jim Vaughan. TURF QUEENSLAND