Farmers in Far North Queensland’s Mitchell water plan area can now apply for access to 55,000 megalitres of unallocated water, following a government review that identified capacity to release additional licences. The move is intended to support agricultural production and related industries across the region, where demand for water has increased in recent years.
Applications are open for new water licences after expressions of interest highlighted unmet demand. The release follows recommendations from the Queensland Government’s Unlocking Water Project, which examined water availability across the state’s planning areas to identify where unused allocations could be brought into use.
The Mitchell release forms part of a broader pilot program, with the water plan among four selected for early review. According to the government, the aim is to align water resources more closely with regional needs while maintaining oversight of environmental and community requirements.
Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy said the licences would give farmers greater certainty as they plan future investment. She described water as central to agricultural activity and said the government’s focus was on ensuring supply remained accessible and affordable for producers.
Local MP for Cook David Kempton confirmed the Mitchell River Water Plan review has moved into its second stage. He said the newly released licences were based on early desktop assessments and were separate from the final outcome of the broader plan review, which is underway ahead of the current plan’s expiry in November 2027.
Kempton said public consultation held last year helped shape the initial phase of the review, with Stage Two now examining how water is currently managed across the catchment. The outcomes of that work, he said, supported the decision to issue additional licences at this point.
Supporters of the release argue the added water could help farmers expand operations, support jobs and strengthen local supply chains. Industry groups have long pointed to water access as a limiting factor for growth in parts of northern Queensland, particularly during extended dry periods.
At the same time, water planning remains a sensitive issue in regional communities, where balancing agricultural demand with environmental flows and cultural considerations is an ongoing challenge. The government has said the broader Mitchell Water Plan review will address long-term management to ensure sustainability.
Applications for the new licences close at 5 pm on 30 April 2026, with further details available here.
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