Irrigators in Queensland's Darling Downs are celebrating the launch of a new groundwater buyback tender.

The Federal Government’s latest $10 million tender for groundwater in the Upper Condamine Alluvium opens on May 6, and will run until May 19.

The latest tender comes after a successful fourth round, but the Central Downs Irrigators group says that with only 4 per cent of the total target recovered under the terms of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, there is still a long way to go.

“Buybacks probably are necessary for this system due to the large number of small entitlement holders that probably can't access that infrastructure program, but we do want to be able to access that similar to the way it has been opened up for the Condamine River recently,” irrigators group spokesperson Lindsey Krieg has told reporters.

“We're also working on getting that infrastructure program opened up for the tributaries.

“As we move towards that greater level we are going to see greater impacts on the community, particularly in years where our surface water is limited.

“I do believe that's been masked in the last few years, so we're talking to the Federal Government as well about including our system, the Condamine Alluvium, in the healthy headwaters program, so the infrastructure program rather than just buybacks.”

The Department of Agriculture and Water has issued a statement saying the groundwater purchase tender is not part of the 2,750 gigalitre surface water recovery target.

“However, it will help to deliver on the Government's commitment to bridge the gap to the groundwater sustainable diversion limits in the basin plan,” the statement read.

“There remains a gap to bridge in the Queensland Upper Condamine Alluvium, and these purchases are an important step towards long-term sustainability for groundwater irrigators in the region.”

Further information including Request for Tender documents and application forms will be available at this address when the tender opens on May 6, or by calling 1800 218 478.