A controversial Queensland cotton producer has opened its gates to Murray-Darling Basin councils in an attempt to turnaround its poor reputation among drought-ravaged communities.

Key points: Councillors from local government areas along the Murray-Darling Basin have toured Queensland's Cubbie station

Councillors from local government areas along the Murray-Darling Basin have toured Queensland's Cubbie station The tour allowed participants to see the drought-stricken area first hand and for some, it has changed their views on the station

The tour allowed participants to see the drought-stricken area first hand and for some, it has changed their views on the station The tour was part of a national conference about the Basin

Cubbie Station — Australia's largest cotton farm based in south-west Queensland — has come under pressure in recent years over its water use and impacts downstream.

Cubbie CEO Paul Brimblecombe said the tour allowed local government representatives from all Basin states to see the station and the drought for themselves.

"It was a fantastic opportunity to get out on the ground and put the full story in front of them," he said.

"There was a whole bunch of facts and figures presented [on the tour] and a lot of frank conversations, which was very worthwhile.

"[And it's good to] understand the opinions that are out there."

The tour was part of the National Murray-Darling Association Conference which was held in Toowoomba last week.

About 20 councillors and mayors from the conference travelled to Dirranbandi to take part in the bus tour.

Cubbie Station has a series of large dams near the Culgoa River and water licences for more than 460 gigalitres. ( ABC Southern Queensland: Nathan Morris )

No water on Cubbie

During a four-hour tour, delegates were driven around the 80,000-hectare property and stopped at dams which span 28 kilometres and hold up to 460 gigalitres of water — the equivalent of 184,000 Olympic swimming pools.

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"There's plenty of commentary around the fact that there has to be water out there on Cubbie, but I mean as you've seen today, you've driven around the whole operation and there's no water here on farm and there hasn't been for a couple of years," Mr Brimblecombe said.

Andrew Tilley from the Murray-Darling Association based in Adelaide travelled to Dirrandbandi and took part in the tour.

"There's no water here and there hasn't been water here for a long time," he said.

"I don't want to be seen as a supporter of cotton or Cubbie but I just wanted to know the honesty of the situation and there's no water here."

Andrew Tilley from Adelaide says the tour of Cubbie has changed his views on the station. ( ABC Southern Queensland: Nathan Morris )

Zero production for another year

Normally at this time of year tractors would be busy moving through the paddocks planting cotton.

But that hasn't been the case for a couple of years.

"We're in the grips of a terrible drought that's impacting on the whole community," Mr Brimblecombe said.

"This year is shaping up to be the second year with zero production here."

Dirranbandi has been in drought since 2013 with many properties in the area not getting a crop for two years. ( ABC Southern Queensland: Nathan Morris )

Trip changes views on Cubbie

Broken Hill councillor Marion Browne wanted to see Cubbie for herself because of the fish kills in the Darling River near Menindee Lakes earlier this year which occurred just south of her community.

"There's a lot of hostility towards Cubbie Station where I come from in Broken Hill, so I thought it was really important to come and see what the reality is and what Cubbie Station is actually doing," she said.

"[The tour has changed my mind] yes, I have been impressed with the level of science that has been applied.

"Also the ingenuity in making use of this particular land that they are on."

Ms Browne said she still had concerns though about the viability of the ecosystems, and fish, along the river system.

"But I think it's changed my views somewhat as to the relative importance of the drought. It really hits home when you see this huge area with all their expertise without a drop of water."

Cubbie Station is the largest cotton farm in Australia with nearly 20,000 hectares of irrigated cropping country. ( ABC Southern Queensland: Nathan Morris )

Mr Tilley said he was also impressed by the cotton producer.

"I'm impressed that they are not allowed to take any water out of the Balonne River until all of the domestic uses have been over satisfied.

"So the water has to flow for three days over the weir in St George before they can take any water," he said.

"I don't think people can really make up their mind fully unless they see this [Cubbie], otherwise they are just kind of guessing.

"The location is important. It's a floodplain between several rivers … and in a way the land is very suitable for intense irrigation because there is occasionally good water here.

"So the business plan that has been explained to us is they only expect to crop about six years out of 10."