Water use plans
The Water Act 2000 (PDF)* provides for a planning regime which sets the framework for water use within a district. That is, following consultation and agreement with stakeholders, the Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade, could declare an area where water users would be required to adopt certain standards for land and water use.
- Content of a water use plan
- Preparing a water use plan
- Water users affected by the plan
- Further information
Content of a water use plan
A water use plan would be a statutory plan that specified the risk associated with using land and water resources. In doing so, it would identify outcomes that landholders were required to achieve to deal with degradation issues such as rising groundwater levels and salinisation.
It would also specify how individuals were to meet the objectives of the plan. The water use plan:
- sets standards for water-use practices
- may refer to certain types of water use
- may require the preparation of individual land and water management plans (LWMPs).
Within a plan area, and depending on the level of risk, certain water users may be required to have a LWMP approved by the department. All would need to conduct their enterprises according to standards nominated in the district plan.
Water users who were unable or unwilling to comply with the standards may need to have a LWMP approved, demonstrating that their management practices achieve the outcomes specified in the district plan.
Preparing a water use plan
The procedure for developing a water use plan is outlined in the Water Act 2000 (PDF)* . The first step is to give public notice of the proposal and then to:
- Set out stakeholders consultation arrangements.
- Define the area.
- Identify risk to natural resources.
- Nominate particular water uses.
- Invite submissions concerning the proposal.
- Prepare the draft plan.
- Advertise draft plan for public comment.
- Prepare final plan for approval by stakeholders.
- Gain approval by Minister and Governor in Council.
Water users affected by the plan
A water use plan would specify transitional arrangements for existing water users in the area it covered. For example, a specified period in which to progressively implement appropriate standards and practices.
As it is proposed that a water use plan would apply only to users of water regulated by the state (i.e. from a regulated watercourse, groundwater or overland flow), not all water users within a plan area would be subject to the plan.
Further information
- To download a copy of the Water Act 2000: Queensland Government Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel
- Water resource planning
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Last reviewed 17 August 2010
Last updated 30 September 2009
