Queensland irrigators’ hardship affects whole towns, as farmers walk away from crops

Central Queensland horticulture growers near Emerald are buying the most expensive water in Australia in an attempt to keep their trees and vines alive.

According to the agribusiness Ruralco, the price for a megalitre of temporary allocation water peaked at $3,380 last year, about 1,900 per cent higher than what growers would expect to pay in the Nogoa Mackenzie system.

Queensland water broker Lincoln Parr said prices for temporary water out of the Fairbairn Dam system were still the most expensive in…