Following a resurgence of interest in the Bradfield Scheme originally proposed in 1938, the State Government established an independent expert panel to provide a report and recommendations to the Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Minister for Water (Hon Glenn Butcher) on its assessment of the viability of a Bradfield or similar scheme. The panel has now completed its work and their report is the most detailed assessment undertaken in nearly 15 years.
Essentially the panel recommended against proceeding with the Bradfield Scheme, or similar large-scale proposals, as their report shows it would be unfeasible to take immense volumes of water from northern Queensland and move it vast distances west and south for irrigation.
For more information and to read the panel’s full report, report summary and recommendations and/owr the State Government’s response to the report, please visit
For anyone wishing to contact the Hon Glenn Butcher MP direct regarding this, please do so via regionaldevelopment@ministerial.qld.gov.au