The Central Queensland Regional Water Assessment (RWA) area includes Rockhampton, the Capricorn Coast, Gladstone, Biloela, Emerald and the Dawson Valley. It covers the local government areas of Central Highlands, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Woorabinda, Banana and parts of Isaac, Maranoa, Western Downs and Livingstone
(refer to Figure 1).

This area is predominantly supplied by surface water from the Fitzroy River catchment, one of the largest in Australia. The Fitzroy River is formed by the confluence of the Mackenzie and Dawson Rivers, which themselves are fed by numerous sub-catchments. The Fitzroy catchment discharges to the Great Barrier Reef near Rockhampton. Water for the remaining regions of the CQRWA area is supplied from the Calliope River and Boyne River basins, coastal streams including Water Park Creek, and some groundwater sources. These catchments discharge to the Great Barrier Reef near Gladstone.

These water resources sustain the region’s people, industries, and ecosystems including:

  • cattle and cropping areas of the Central Highlands and Dawson Valley
  • industrial hub of Gladstone
  • major urban communities including Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast.

Challenges in the region include climate variability, competing water demands, infrastructure limitations and the cost of reliable water supply. The CQRWA looks at options to address these challenges through collaborative planning and sustainable investment.

Future water demand

  • The cost of access to water of sufficient reliability will impact the growth and composition of the Central Queensland agriculture sector over the next 30 years. Unconstrained agricultural water demand by 2054 is projected to increase by 166,000ML (around 34%, with a range of 20% to 47.5%). Cotton and perennial horticulture account for the majority of the projected growth. The estimate of unconstrained water demand is based on the demand for water if it was not influenced by the water source or water supply.
  • Industrial and commercial water demand in the region is currently estimated at 107,800ML per annum. It is expected to decline by around 13,000ML (12%) by 2054. This is largely due to a reduction in water demand for electricity generation. Green hydrogen production at Gladstone is expected to reach to 6,000ML per annum by 2054.
  • The region’s residential water demand is projected to increase in line with population growth.
  • Water security risks are expected to become more severe over the next 30 years for several urban centres including Rockhampton, the Capricorn Coast, Emerald (including several smaller townships in the Central Highlands) and Biloela.

A snapshot of the demographics of the CQRWA area, including current and forecast population, a list of towns, main land use, key industries and current water uses is illustrated in Figure 2.