New water mines in Gold Coast hinterland barred for a year amid concerns over bottling industry

Queensland government's moratorium comes after dozens of bores supplying drinking water to Tamborine Mountain ran dry

The Queensland government has placed a year-long moratorium on new water mines in parts of the Gold Coast hinterland, where drought-hit residents have been campaigning against the impact of the bottled water industry.

Late last year, dozens of bores that supply drinking water to Tamborine Mountain schools, businesses and residents ran dry, with many residents having to wait six weeks for deliveries by truck. The area has three commercial water mines with deep bores that send about 100m litres a year for bottling.