Border Rivers interstate water market
Interstate water trade in the Border Rivers catchment operates across the New South Wales – Queensland border. This provides extra opportunities and more flexibility for water users by introducing more buyers, sellers and water products to the market. The opportunity to source water from different systems within this catchment also allows users to better manage risks associated with varying water availability in any one area.
An interstate trade means that the water available under an entitlement or other authorisation to take water in one state is extracted in another state. When water is traded permanently, temporarily or leased interstate it will retain its attributes and remain registered or issued in, and subject to the terms and conditions and management rules of, the state of origin (SoO).
Under this arrangement, the water user always deals with the state water resource management agency and/or water service provider from where the entitlement or temporary trade approval originates—not in the state where the water is taken. For example, announcements for the start of water harvesting will continue to be made by the SoO and water orders are placed with the relevant water service provider in the SoO.
Water charges, metering and works approvals
The SoO will bill the water user directly for the relevant charge. This may include a service fee for reading the meter, which has been conducted under the rules and regulations and at the cost of the state of destination (SoD).
There may be requirements in the SoD that are not directly related to the interstate trade itself such as authorisations for water meters, pumps and land and water management plans. Water users must contact relevant agencies in the SoD to ensure that all necessary approvals are obtained.
Terminology
The terminology used to describe water trading reflects the different water systems managed by the two states. Below is a table of water products and transactions with the generally equivalent interstate terms.
| Queensland | New South Wales |
|---|---|
| Water allocation | Water access licence |
| Announced allocation | Available water determination |
| Lease | Term transfer |
| Subdivision | Subdivision |
| Amalgamation | Consolidation |
| Change | Change |
| Water allocations register | Water access licence register |
| Titles Registry Office | Land Titles Office |
| Supplemented water | Regulated water |
| Unsupplemented water | Supplementary water |
| Seasonal water assignment | Water allocation assignment |
| Announced allocation percentage | Available water determination |
| Resource operations plan | Water sharing plan |
| Water account | Water allocation account |
| Transfer | Transfer |
| Priority group | Category |
| Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) | Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) |
Contacts
Queensland contacts
Department of Environment and Resource Management
Business centres are open from 8.30am to 4.30pm (AEST), Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. Please contact the centre before you visit to confirm the services or products you require are available.
Goondiwindi office
42 Callandoon Street
Goondiwindi Qld 4390
Phone: 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
Fax: (07) 4671 3163
Note: DERM staff do not provide legal advice. To protect your interests, or if you are unsure of your legal entitlements, please contact a solicitor or legal advisor.
Titles Registry Office
For enquiries on searches, document lodgement and registry requirements, please contact the Titles Registry Office.
Phone: 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or (07) 3405 6900
The enquiries service provides information on a range of conveyancing topics to:
- explain current charges and expected processing times
- explain and interpret register information
- answer any queries generally related to the functions and services provided by the Titles Registration business unit.
SunWater
Phone: 13 15 89
Fax: (07) 3120 0249
Website: www.sunwater.com.au
New South Wales contacts
Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water
Contact the water dealings officer at the local DECCW office.
Phone: 1800 353 104
Email: wma.info@dnr.nsw.gov.au
Refer to the individual information sheets on each type of dealing at the NSW Office of Water or from regional offices.
Land and Property Management Authority
General water dealings only take effect when registered by the Land and Property Management Authority.
Phone: (02) 9228 6713
Fax: (02) 9233 4357
Website: www.lands.nsw.gov.au/land_titles
Statewater
For general enquiries, contact your Statewater customer service officer.
Phone: (02) 6841 2000 or statewide 1300 662 077
Fax: (02) 6884 2603
Please contact your customer service officer within your area for all enquiries relating to water usage, water orders, water transfers, water invoices and metering. All bill enquiries should be directed to:
Phone: 1800 353 091
Email: billing@statewater.com.au
Last updated 1 March 2011
