A NEWLY declared moratorium on water licence applications and construction works including the sinking of irrigation bores in the Wet Tropics has put Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Trade Minister Stephen Robertson back in the political hot seat.
Mr Robertson declared the moratorium on January 18 without any public or industry consultation - and primary producers, drilling companies, irrigations supply companies and many other relevant industries say they will suffer as a result.
Member for Hinchinbrook Andrew Cripps said the lack of information from the government was typical of its bureaucratic, authoritarian approach to regional Queensland.
"The widespread uncertainty associated with the moratorium was causing real problems in the Wet Tropics particularly because the moratorium was open ended; there is no time-frame," Mr Cripps said.
One week after the sudden announcement of the water resources moratorium, landowners, primary industry groups and rural businesses are still unsure how it will affect them.
Farm sales have been reported to be 'on hold' or collapsed since the moratorium was announced.
The North Queensland Register has been in touch with Mr Robertson's department and submitted a list of questions to the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM).
A reason given for the moratorium was that there were "signs of overuse emerging, with streams that once flowed all year round now ceasing to flow". The Register asked the depertment to identify which streams are ceasing to flow.
DERM regional manager Andrew Buckley's reply did not identify any specific river or stream but stated:
"Demand occasionally outstrips supply particularly in heavily used areas such as the upper Herbert and Johnstone catchments and in coastal agricultural areas.
"During these times of high demand and lesser rainfall streams can cease to flow."
Asked where the department obtained the science to enact the moratorium his reply was again non-committal and talked more about the government's commitment to water conservation.
On the question of why there was no public consultation, Mr Buckley said a call for public con-sultation would be made once the start of the water resource plan was announced soon.
The lack of public consultation on a decision to suddenly place a moratorium on sinking of bores and the use of water has shocked many business and primary producers but none less than the bore drilling business.
Mark Delai, who runs such a drilling business on the Atherton Tableland, said he knew of six drilling businesses in the moratorium area.
He believed all would be very seriously affected.
"We stand to lose 50 percent of our business and the only way to survive now is to somehow diversify, if that's at all possible," Mr Delai said.
Jarrod Bliesner, Ingham Drilling, said the moratorium would put some operations out of business.
Mr Bliesner said the decision would have far-reaching ramifications for many business involved in primary production including irrigation supply companies.
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