$2b private proposal to build one of Australia's biggest irrigation schemes

There are plans in Queensland to build one of the country's biggest irrigation schemes, as debate over whether northern Australia can become the nation's next great food bowl ramps up. Integrated Food and Energy Developments (IFED) wants to build two dams and siphon 500,000 megalitres of water per year from Queensland's Gilbert River catchment to irrigate a huge sugar cane plantation. The $2 billion proposal also includes plans for a sugar cane mill in Georgetown, along with ethanol production facilities and an abattoir. ABC Radio's AM program has obtained a confidential document revealing plans by the company behind the proposal to explore even greater water extraction, and that prospect troubles an already divided community.

more: $2b private proposal to build one of Australia's biggest irrigation schemes

There are plans in Queensland to build one of the country's biggest irrigation schemes, as debate over whether northern Australia can become the nation's next great food bowl ramps up. Integrated Food and Energy Developments (IFED) wants to build two dams and siphon 500,000 megalitres of water per year from Queensland's Gilbert River catchment to irrigate a huge sugar cane plantation. The $2 billion proposal also includes plans for a sugar cane mill in Georgetown, along with ethanol production facilities and an abattoir. ABC Radio's AM program has obtained a confidential document revealing plans by the company behind the proposal to explore even greater water extraction, and that prospect troubles an already divided community.