Red gums, fringing the Flinders River.

Red gums, fringing the Flinders River. Wayne Lawler/AUSCAPE

Flinders and Gilbert Agricultural Resource Assessment

The Australian Government is funding a CSIRO investigation of opportunities for water and agricultural development in the Flinders and Gilbert catchments of north-west Queensland.

  • 16 July 2012 | Updated 8 March 2013
  1. Overview
  2. Assessment details
  3. Map and activities
  4. Factsheets
  5. Technical reports
  6. Literature review

Overview

Page 1 of 6

Thousands of hectares of soil are potentially suitable for irrigated agriculture across northern Australia but access to sufficient water constrains development.

In recognition of the challenges and opportunities facing northern communities and primary producers, the North Queensland Irrigated Agriculture Strategy (NQIAS) began in January 2012.

The A$10 million NQIAS is a collaborative initiative, funded by the Australian Government Office of Northern Australia and the Queensland Government. It provides a unique opportunity to leverage the resources and efforts of federal, state and local government, to access world-class scientific expertise, and to build on the enthusiasm and resourcefulness of local communities.

CSIRO is leading one component of the NQIAS, the Flinders and Gilbert Agricultural Resource Assessment. This two-year, A$6.8 million project will be completed by December 2013. Key parts will be undertaken by the Queensland Government and TropWATER (James Cook University).

Want to know more about the NQIAS? Visit the official North Queensland Irrigated Agriculture Strategy website [external link].