Consultants have been engaged by Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water to undertake a detailed assessment of future water requirements on the Tablelands. This includes all of Tablelands Regional Council and eastern parts of Mareeba Shire Council.

Once complete, the Tablelands Regional Water Assessment will set out how existing infrastructure and non-existing infrastructure can be used to maximise water supply in each area and drive economic growth. This demand assessment will consider water for irrigation, urban, and mining and industrial uses for the next 30 years. It will consider the potential impacts of climate change by incorporating the results of climate models into the analysis.

Online market engagement is being used to identify and scope key issues relating to current and future water requirements, water products, and other drivers and constraints to economic development opportunities that require water inputs. The consultants are working with stakeholders in the region to gather information for the project. This is via meetings with key regional stakeholder organisations such as councils, industry bodies and major users.