Queensland irrigators are voting on whether they want to take over their local schemes, currently run by state body Sunwater.

Sunwater runs eight irrigation schemes across the state, and locals in each region are looking for a better deal, possibly by running the show themselves.

Old facilities need replacing and new industries bring new demands, leading many to the belief that irrigation networks should be run by the people that use them.

The regions of St George, Theodore and Eton have voted in support of the move to local management, with several unanimous outcomes showing the weight of discontent.

Emerald and Mareeba shires are holding meetings this week, and the remaining three regions will make their decisions later in May.

Just before the recent presentation in Theodore, Sunwater released its revised base case.

With new actual cost forecasts, the regions will be able to compare predictions for their own plans.

Leith Boully, the independent chair of the local management arrangements process, says it will take more than six months to finalise any changes.

“In order for the interim boards to have sufficient information, to have an intelligent conversation with their customers, we've had to allow for additional time, particularly for the engineering, due diligence process, but also to make sure there was sufficient information to put robust proposals together,” she said.

A final report including the business case put forward by each irrigation community will be handed to the state government in June.

A decision is expected later this year.