Queensland - environmental water provisions
The Queensland Water Act 2000 (PDF 2.2 MB) provides legal recognition of the need to make adequate provision of water
for the natural processes that underpin river health. The Act establishes a
system for the allocation and use of water within sustainable limits, with
the objective of ensuring that the biological diversity and the health of natural
ecosystems are maintained.
Under the Act, water resource plans and, where necessary, resource operations
plans must be prepared to ensure that water is equitably managed to preserve
both the quality of life and aquatic ecosystems. Water resource plans establish
a framework to share water between human and environmental needs and are developed
through detailed technical, scientific and community consultation. They are
published as subordinate legislation to the Water Act 2000 . Resource
operation plans detail how water resources will be managed to meet the specific
environmental and consumptive objectives of the water resource plans.
As of January 2006, water resource plans had been completed for 12 of the
21 water management areas in Queensland and a draft released for one more area.
Plans are being prepared for the remaining eight areas. Resource operation
plans have been completed for seven areas, a draft released for another one
area, and an additional four areas are currently preparing plans.
Additionally, the Queensland
Water Plan 2005-2010 represents the government's
programme to meet future water needs for consumption and the environment. It
outlines strategies and actions to ensure that Queensland 's economic growth
is underpinned by sustainable water resource management. Significant actions
include:
- statutory, catchment-based, water resource plans to provide
secure water provisions for farms, businesses and homes
- legally protected environmental flows to ensure the health
of rivers and groundwater systems
- water trading to provide access to water and encourage high
value use
- wild rivers legislation to protect pristine rivers
- pricing water to reflect the costs of supply and encourage
people to invest in efficient water supply and use
- working with local government and the community to develop
regional plans to ensure long-term water supply, including new infrastructure
- programmes and financial incentives to encourage smarter use
of existing supplies through more efficient use, reuse, and recycling of
water
- developing regional strategies to set water quality objectives
and to better manage pollution sources and rivers
- monitoring and research to underpin sustainable water management.
Related links
A map for environmental water provisions for Queensland can be downloaded
from the Maps environmental water provisions section.
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