Water in Queensland
Water in Queensland describes the physical nature of the State's water resources and aquatic ecosystems, water consumption trends and roles and responsibilities of key authorities in water management.
Queensland has one of the most highly variable climates in the world and in recent years has experienced widespread and prolonged drought, extensive and severe flooding, and cyclones. The State is also experiencing significant population growth, increased urban development, particularly in the south-east and coastal regions, as well as regional development based on mining and the resource industries.
Water in Queensland outlines a strategic framework for managing water, including a vision of water to support the social, economic and cultural needs of Queenslanders and the natural environment now and into the future.
Key initiatives and directions in water management are outlined against five strategic objectives:
- A coherent institutional and policy framework promoting integrated, adaptive and inclusive water management
- Safe, sustainable, equitable and efficient provision and use of water
- Healthy and resilient water resources and aquatic ecosystems
- Accessible knowledge and capacity that supports adaptive, evidence-based decision making and practice, and promotes the Queensland water sector
- A community that is informed and engaged in wise water management and use.
Queensland is recognised nationally and internationally for its policies and expertise in water management. Key policy, science and technology innovations that confirm this include:
- a comprehensive set of catchment-based water resource plans for maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems, as well as secure, equitable water access entitlements for human purposes that can be taken up or traded independently of land ownership
- sophisticated water supply initiatives; in particular, the South East Queensland Water Grid, and reuse and demand management programs
- a range of programs focused on protecting water resources and aquatic ecosystems including our unique and internationally renowned natural heritage (for example, wild rivers, the Great Artesian Basin, the Great Barrier Reef and our important wetlands)
- a range of water science, planning and sector partnerships initiatives, which have delivered significant improvements in urban water quality, capacity in water sensitive development and water recycling.
Water in Queensland will be of interest to other governments, community and industry leaders confronting similar water challenges.
It is recognised that sustainable water management involves a range of actions and depends on effective partnerships. The Queensland Government is committed to collaborating with other governments, industry, research and stakeholder organisations and the wider community to help secure the State’s water future.
Complete publication
- Water in Queensland (PDF, 3.1M)*
Publication split into sections
- Water in Queensland: Section 1 (PDF, 356K)*
- Message from the Director-General
- Executive summary
- Contents
- Introduction
- Water vision for Queensland
- What guides the way we manage water in Queensland?
- Water in Queensland: Section 2 (PDF, 1.1M)*
- Queensland's water resources in context
- Water in Queensland - Section 3 (PDF, 1.2M)*
- Water management framework to support Queenslanders and the natural environment
- Water in Queensland: Section 4 (PDF, 101K)*
- Glossary
- References, links and further information
* Requires Adobe Reader
Last updated 3 February 2012
