Farmers in Elbow Valley, Queensland, are mobilizing against a proposed water extraction and bottling facility that would allow a developer to extract 96 million litres of water annually. This effort is part of a broader community initiative to protect local water sources amid growing concerns over the sustainability of regional water access. Local farmer Peter Keogh has raised alarms about the potential impact on his land's water quality, having noticed alarming changes to his well's water since neighboring test pumping began.

This dispute has been ongoing for years, and it now involves not only the farmers but also the local council and a Chinese-owned developer. The planned facility has fueled tensions in the community, as farmers fear that the extraction will exacerbate water scarcity issues in an already vulnerable ecosystem. As the local council prepares to discuss this issue in an upcoming meeting, the outcome will have significant implications for the farming community and the future of resource management in the region.

The farmers' struggle highlights a growing tension between agricultural needs and commercial interests, a situation that many rural communities across Australia are increasingly facing. The outcome of the council's deliberation could set a precedent for similar proposals across the country, affecting not only local farmers but also the environmental integrity of the region.