Development in water areas

Water-related development is any constructed works that take or interfere with water from watercourses, lakes, springs, aquifers or overland flow. Such works may be pumping equipment, diversion channels, weirs, barrages, dams, or bores.

Water-related development may be either self-assessable or assessable under a code or exempt. If the development is assessable, application must be made for development approval. Works that are exempt development do not require any approval.

Water bore construction requirements

Water bores deeper than six metres must be constructed by a licensed water bore driller.

The driller must comply with the minimum construction requirements for water bores in Australia and in Queensland artesian areas comply with the Queensland artesian bore standard as well. These standards provide information and state the minimum requirements for the construction of water bores.

Overland flow

The taking of overland flow may be limited by a moratorium for the catchment area, by rules in a relevant water resource plan or a wild river declaration.

Quarrying in a watercourse or lake

Quarrying requirements exist for the extraction of material such as sand, gravel, rocks and soil from the non–tidal reaches of streams (called watercourses) and natural lakes.

Last reviewed 15 September 2011
Last updated 23 March 2011