NORTH Queensland Tableland irrigators like Dennis Howe, Howe Farming, are making plans to manage what could be the lowest water allocations in the Mareeba Dimbulah Scheme in more than 10 years, on the back of low levels in Tinaroo Dam.
Howe Farming grows 607 hectares (1500 acres) of bananas, 161ha 400 acres of avocados and 687ha (1700 acres) of cane along with coffee and blueberries.
While water allocations for the 2018 water year won’t be announced until June, modelling suggests based on current dam levels allocations could range between 45 and 65 per cent.
As one of the largest irrigators using water from the scheme, Mr Howe said the low level of Tinaroo Dam was a worry.
“The consequences could be diabolical if it doesn’t rain next season,” Mr Howe said.
“With a 45 to 65 pc allocation we are right until January next year. If it doesn’t rain in January next year and with a 60 pc allocation we would survive until June but after that it’s not going to be left for the following year.”
When the 2017 allocation was announced at 70 pc, Mr Howe said the company ploughed out some cane and would look at removing some of the worse performing banana blocks, if need be.
“About half our water allocation goes to cane,” Mr Howe said.
Our game plan is to spread our water over the most valuable, not necessarily in income for that year but in losses going forward.
- Dennis Howe, multi-crop farmer.
“Cane is easier to get back in to and cheaper to plant.
“Our game plan is to spread our water over the most valuable, not necessarily in income for that year but in losses going forward.”
Mr Howe said reducing the environmental flow from the dam to a “sensible” level was one solution to the region’s water issues.
He said other measures that allow farmers to better manage their water allocations including higher priority water and a carry over system would also help.
Mr Howe said a second dam would only be of benefit if the water could be held in reserve.
“It would be nice to say the government was going to build a new dam and keep it in reserve,” Mr Howe said.
“But in current economic circumstances and competition requirements the government can’t be seen to be favouring certain industries.”