Why is irrigation limited in much of inland Queensland?

Irrigation in inland Queensland is limited primarily due to the irregularity, seasonality, and low volume of available surface water in those regions. Because these inland areas rely on unreliable streams that are prone to flooding and possess gentle gradients, large-scale water management is difficult.12

While the Great Artesian Basin provides a significant source of water, its use for irrigation is restricted because the water is limited in both quantity and quality; consequently, it is primarily utilized for livestock and urban supplies. Due to these environmental constraints, irrigation is generally confined to a series of small schemes, and the prospects for significant expansion remain limited.13