Department paid $13 million over recommended value for water buyback, Auditor-General calls for review Posted TueTuesday 16 The Agriculture Department is reviewing an $80 million purchase of water from the Condmaine Balonne. ( Print text only Cancel The Australian government paid almost $13 million more than was advised by an independent valuer, in an $80 million deal to secure water from two Queensland farms in 2017. Key points: Independent valuation suggests government paid almost $13 million more than it was independently advised Department says Eastern Australia Agriculture water deal achieved value for money The Auditor-General has suggested the Agriculture Department might have paid a lesser amount for the water if it had "been aware of the valuer's view at the time".