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Water markets, trading and investment
Water investment enquiries
Phone 13QGOV (13 74 68) or contact us via your local business centre for advice about water investment in Queensland.
There are 3 water markets currently operating in Queensland:
- water allocation market – trading of registered water allocation titles
- seasonal water assignment market – seasonal assignment of water allocations and other entitlements
- relocatable water licence market – relocation of water licences from one parcel of land to another.
In the Cape York water plan area it is possible for holders of water licences granted from the Cape York Peninsula Heritage Area (CYPHA) reserve to assign water available under the licence to other persons (including non-Indigenous persons).
Establishing water markets provides certainty for the water industry, and helps create a stable and more attractive business environment. Trading water allocations can facilitate better decision making about usage and requirements. Over time, this promotes efficiency and can make businesses more profitable.
The benefits of trading water:
- helps people clearly see the value of their water as a secure asset, and obtain finance against its value
- encourages water-use efficiency—by allowing allocation holders to sell, lease or seasonally assign spare water
- enables holders of entitlements who want to stop production to sell their water without selling their land
- enables users to increase water supplies and improve the reliability of current allocations, and to switch to an alternative use of the water that may generate higher returns
- enables new industries to acquire water without jeopardising the environment, or affecting other water users.
This guide explains water markets and trading in Queensland.
Water allocation market
- A water allocation is an authority to take water, and an entitlement to a share of the available water resource in a catchment.
- A water allocation has a title separate from a land title and can be bought and sold independently in a similar way to land. This enables water allocation holders to buy water to expand their operations or sell water they don't need.
- Trading is voluntary and prices are set by the market.
- Anyone can buy a water allocation – you do not need to be a landholder – however, movement of the water is restricted by trading rules specified in a water management protocol or the Water Regulation 2016.
Water allocation trading may include the permanent transfer or lease of an allocation to another party, or it may relate to other transactions such as subdividing or changing the location of an allocation. Formal approval may be required for some dealings and a permanent trade always requires registration on the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water Water Allocations Register (WAR).
Trading
Currently surface water allocations can be permanently transferred in Queensland; and markets are also being opened to allow for the permanent transfer of underground water allocations. From time to time, regulations may also allow for the permanent transfer of interim water allocations in particular water supply schemes.
A tradeable water allocation may be established by the conversion of a water licence or interim water allocation through a water entitlement notice. If an existing water entitlement is about to be converted to a tradeable water allocation you may need to consider your tenancy arrangements.
Permanent trading involves the permanent transfer of the ownership of a water allocation title, similar to the sale of a land title. All water allocation dealings including permanent trades must be registered on the WAR — an accurate and secure register that centrally records ownership and other information on water allocations.
While a permanent water allocation trade does not have to be approved by the department, there may be additional registration or other requirements. For example, a water allocation holder who proposes to transfer or lease a water allocation not managed under a resource operations licence must give the chief executive notice of the proposed transfer or lease.
Leasing a water allocation
A water allocation may also be leased for a defined period of time. A water allocation lease is similar to a lease of land; however, only whole water allocations can be leased. When a water allocation is leased, all the benefits and responsibilities of holding the allocation are transferred to the lessee for the period of the lease. For example, if the announced allocation is increased after an inflow, the additional water is available to the lessee.
Water allocation leases do not have to be approved by the department, but they must be registered on the WAR using a Form 7 - Lease/sublease.
Where water can be traded
Water trading is available where water allocations have been established; that is, once a water management protocol or operations manual has been approved for an area. The water management protocol sets out the rules for water sharing and permanent water trading of supplemented and unsupplemented water allocations within the plan area, while the seasonal water assignment rules will be contained in the operations manual for supplemented water.
A change to the location of a water allocation is possible between zones and is dependent on the trading rules in the relevant plan area.
Interstate water trading with New South Wales is currently available in the Border Rivers and Macintyre Brook Water Supply Schemes.
Water being permanently traded
In 2015–16 more than 120,000 ML of water (surface water and underground water) was permanently traded in Queensland. Reports on permanent water trades are available which present the number, volume and weighted average price of water trades.
Trading implications
Water allocations are assets separate from the land, with their own registrable title. They are held as personal property and may be treated differently from land after the death of the allocation holder. Anyone being granted, or acquiring, a water allocation should seek professional advice about issues that may affect their will. There may be tax (e.g. capital gains tax) and duty implications as a result of water allocation dealings.
As departmental staff are unable to provide legal or financial advice, you should seek appropriate professional advice to ensure your interests are protected. You may also engage the services of qualified persons to assist in other aspects of water allocation dealings for example, conveyancing.
Water extraction without an appropriate authorisation can impact on the security of supply or reliability of other entitlements; such activities are open to investigation and a range of enforcement measures.
Seasonal water assignment market
Seasonal water assignments (sometimes called 'temporary trades') are useful for meeting additional short-term water needs. The holder of a water entitlement may apply to assign some or all of the water that may be taken under that entitlement in a water year, to another person or to themselves (i.e. another entitlement they hold).
There is no limit to the number of assignments of unused water that can be made in any water year. Also, any unused part of the assigned water can be reassigned during the remainder of the water year. A water year, which sometimes coincides with the financial year, is the annual accounting period for a water management protocol, operations manual, or water licence, as provided in the Water Regulation 2016.
A water plan, water management protocol, operations manual and the Water Regulation 2016 set out the rules applying to seasonal water assignments. Both supplemented and unsupplemented water can be seasonally assigned but different processes apply.
To assist customers with business planning and in managing risk, the Queensland Government publishes information about unsupplemented seasonal water assignments (temporary trades). This information is published daily (on approval of trades) and includes information about volumes, locations and prices of unsupplemented seasonal water assignments. This data provides a valuable tool for market monitoring.
Supplemented water supply
Supplemented water refers to water delivered from infrastructure. A water supply scheme owner is granted a licence depending on whether they own the storage or distribution infrastructure. A resource operations licence (ROL) is granted to owners of head works infrastructure such as dams and weirs. A distribution operations licence (DOL) is granted to the owner of any diversion infrastructure used to further distribute water, such as pipes to an off-stream channel, if they are not owned by the ROL holder.
A supplemented water allocation holder wishing to arrange a seasonal water assignment requires the consent of the ROL holder in every case. For water allocations that are also distributed by a DOL holder, the seasonal water assignment rules in an operations manual will state when the consent of the DOL holder is also required. The Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water has no involvement in managing or approving these temporary trades.
Unsupplemented water supply
Unsupplemented water is surface water or ground water that is not reliant on infrastructure to store or distribute water. However, this water is still sustainably managed by the department. As unsupplemented water supply is highly variable throughout Queensland, a seasonal water assignment can only be undertaken in areas where a water plan, water management plan or water sharing rules contained in the Water Regulation 2016 allows for it to occur. When applying for a seasonal water assignment, applicants should read the relevant rules and liaise with their local business centre to arrange the assignment.
The holder of an unsupplemented water allocation, a water licence or a seasonal water assignment notice or water licence may apply for a seasonal water assignment. The process involves:
- confirming that a seasonal assignment is allowed under the water management protocol, operations manual or water sharing rules
- checking that sufficient water is available (i.e. unused portion of the entitlement)
- completing the application form:
The department will notify the assignor (water entitlement holder) of the decision. If the seasonal water assignment is approved, the assignor will be notified that the assigned water has been debited from their account for the remainder of the water year.
The assignee will be issued a seasonal water assignment notice, allowing them to take the additional water assigned to them for the remainder of the water year. The assignee can also reassign any unused portion of the assigned water in that same water year. If the assignee has been issued such notice and the original water entitlement is subsequently sold, the assignee's authority to take the water assigned will not be affected in any way.
Relocatable water licence market
A water licence is an entitlement to take water which is attached to land therefore, unlike a water allocation, it is not an asset in its own right. Water licences cannot normally be sold independent of land unless there are management rules in place which allow permanent transfers (relocations) to occur.
The rules for managing relocations are outlined either in the respective water management protocol, operations manual or within the water sharing rules for a water management area.
Any proposed relocation of a water licence is assessed against a set of relocation rules which aim to ensure that the change in location does not adversely impact on the water security of existing entitlements or the environment.
The relocation of a water licence enables a licensee to transfer ownership of the entitlement, permanently moving the licence from the land to which it is attached, to another parcel of land within the confines of the rules. This process differs from permanent water allocation trading whereby water allocations are traded independently of land titles and have their own registrable title (i.e. water can be held by someone who does not own land).
Licences may be relocated in the following plan areas: Barron, Condamine and Balonne, Cooper Creek, Great Artesian Basin, Gulf and Wet Tropics. Follow the links to check the rules and limitations.
Furthermore, relocatable water licences are available in the following groundwater management areas: Central Condamine Alluvium, Dalrymple Creek and Oakey Creek.
Provision can be made for relocatable licences, either through the preparation of a draft water management protocol or as part of the water sharing rules in a water management area. Consultation during implementation of relocatable licences is undertaken through public notice, letters and stakeholder meetings which outline in detail the implications for affected water entitlement holders.
To ascertain whether a water licence is relocatable within a particular area, please refer to the relevant catchment area where copies of approved water management protocols or water sharing rules may be accessed.
Also consider...
- Read market information to find out how many water licences have been relocated.
Assignment of Cape York Peninsula Heritage Area water licences
The Cape York water plan reserves water to support the economic and social needs of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders.
Water in the Cape York Peninsula Heritage Area (CYPHA) reserve can be accessed by eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entities through the issue of a CYPHA water licence.
A CYPHA water licence can be held by an ‘eligible person’, defined as:
- an entity that holds Aboriginal freehold land such as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation or a land trust
- or
- a native title holder such as a registered native title body corporate (RNTBC).
Holders of a CYPHA water licence can use the licence for their own projects. They are also able to enter into agreements to assign part or all of the water to other interested water users.
This page explains how to get in touch with CYPHA water licence holders and the assignment process.
How much water is available?
The volume of the water in the Cape York Peninsula Heritage Area (CYPHA) reserve is shown in Table 1 below.
The volume of water in each catchment that is held in the CYPHA reserve is allocated to eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons based on the proportion of land interests they have in that catchment.
Table 1. CYPHA reserve by catchment
Catchment | Volume of CYPHA reserve (megalitres) |
---|---|
Archer | 89,000 |
Coleman | 56,000 |
Ducie | 46,000 |
Embley | 8,000 |
Endeavour | 16,000 |
Holroyd | 68,500 |
Jacky Jacky | 1,500 |
Jardine | 49,000 |
Jeannie | 0 |
Lockhart | 6,300 |
Normanby | 16,000 |
Olive–Pascoe | 48,000 |
Stewart | 5,000 |
Watson | 0 |
Wenlock | 76,000 |
Total | 485,300 |
Assignment process
An existing CYPHA licence holder will need to apply to amend their licence to allow for the assignment. The application will need to include sufficient information so that the application can be assessed against the rules in the Cape York water plan.
An eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entity which does not yet hold a licence can request a licence at any time. Once the licence is granted they can then apply for an assignment to another person or entity.
Find out more about the CYPHA water licence assignment process.
CYPHA water licences can only be assigned in the same catchment and only for an agreed period. CYPHA water licences cannot be permanently traded.
Finding an existing licence holder
To find an existing licence holder you can:
- Use the water entitlement viewer to view existing CYPHA water licences.
- Talk to local water brokers, real estate agents or solicitors.
Finding an eligible person
To contact eligible persons you can:
- Email waterinfonorth@rdmw.qld.gov.au for information on Aboriginal freehold land in a catchment, then request a title search to find out who owns the Aboriginal freehold land.
- Search the National Native Title Register to find native title holders.
- Search the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations public register for the contact details of Aboriginal corporations, land trusts and native title body corporates.
Contact us
For more information about CYPHA water licences contact:
Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water
Phone: (07) 4017 0140
Email: waterinfonorth@rdmw.qld.gov.au
28 Peters Street
Mareeba QLD 4880
Also consider…
- View the CYPHA water licence rules in the Cape York water management protocol (PDF, 573KB).
- Visit the Cape York water plan to find out about how water is managed in the Cape York Peninsula.
- Find out more about Cape York Peninsula Heritage Area water licences.
Water investment
Whether it's agriculture, mining or industry, water is an essential input for many Queensland businesses.
To help businesses and investors access the vital water they need to establish and expand in our state, we've introduced the water investor hotline. This specialist team will provide plain English advice and assistance on the opportunities available.
Email your enquiry to your local business centre or phone 13 QGOV (13 74 68) during business hours and ask to be connected to water investment staff for help with:
- understanding the water requirements for your enterprise
- up to date information on water availability
- identifying where and how you may be able to access water in existing water supply schemes and water management areas
- getting connected with water brokers or water service providers
- other processes involved in accessing water rights.
The water investment team is dedicated to connecting you with the right water product for your needs so you can focus on building your business.
Establishing water markets provides certainty for the water industry and helps create a stable and more attractive business environment.
There are 3 functioning water markets currently operating in Queensland.
Current locations
Requests to move water allocations to a different location must be pre-approved by the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water.
The current location tables below will help you determine whether a proposed change will be approved.
For more information on trading rules, water sharing rules and seasonal water assignment rules:
- read about water allocation dealings
- visit your water plan page
- access water sharing rules.
Water supply schemes and water management areas
Macintyre Brook
Barker Barambah
Boyne River and Tarong
Bundaberg
Coastal Burnett Groundwater
Lower Burnett and Kolan Rivers
Upper Burnett
Upper Burnett and Nogo Rivers
Bowen Broken River
Bowen River
Burdekin Haughton
Cape Campaspe
Haughton
Lower Burdekin
Upper Burdekin
Endeavour
Upper Condamine
Chinchilla Weir
St George
Callide Valley
Dawson Valley
Nogoa Mackenzie
Lower Callide Groundwater
Lower Fitzroy
Fitzroy Barrage
Logan River
Lower Mary River
Mary Valley
Teddington Weir
Proserpine River
Lower Johnstone
Mulgrave
Liverpool Creek
Tully
Water allocations register
This is an accurate and secure register that records water allocation ownership and other attributes of water allocations.
It is similar to how the Land Registry records details of land ownership and dealings. Other interests and encumbrances, such as financial securities or caveats and priority notices, may also be recorded against the water allocation on the register.
The Registrar of Land Titles is also the Registrar of Water Allocations.
To have effect, all permanent water allocation dealings must be lodged and registered on the Water Allocation Register. This process is similar to and uses the same forms as land transfers.
Forms and fees
The lodgement forms and fee structures are similar to those used for land dealings.
Property transactions relating to water allocations are recorded by registering properly completed land registry forms.
Lodged forms must be accurate, legally correct, and submitted in the correct sequence for the transaction before they can be registered.
You can access the forms from Titles Queensland.
You should download the following forms to lodge your registration:
- Transfer form 1
- General request form 14
- Property transfer information form 24.
Searching the register
You can search the Water Allocations Register for a copy of a water allocation title at a Land Information and Titles Office and by paying the required fee.
Searches of titles and copies of dealings are also available from approved public access providers.
To conduct a search, you need to know the lot number, crown plan and title reference of the water allocation.
Information on a water allocation title
A water allocation title records:
- the names of the holder(s) and tenancy arrangements
- a description of the registered, resource-related attributes
- identifiers such as lot, crown plan and title reference
- registered and unregistered dealings
- encumbrances and interests (e.g. mortgages)
- administrative advices (e.g. priority notices).
Like land, a water allocation may be described by referring to:
- the lot on plan number, which is used as the water allocation number (e.g. Lot 777)
- the administrative or Crown Plan (AP) number assigned to each water plan (e.g. AP6688)
- its unique title reference (e.g. 46008989).
You must use these descriptors in any water allocation dealings, including applying for a subdivision or lodging transfer documents.
Water plan | Crown Plan no. |
---|---|
Barron | AP8354 |
Border Rivers | AP7583 |
Boyne | AP7197 |
Burdekin Basin | AP14988 |
Burnett | AP6975 |
Cape York | AP23199 |
Condamine - Balonne | AP7585 |
Fitzroy | AP6829 |
Gold Coast | AP14181 |
Gulf | AP19405 |
Logan Basin | AP14819 |
Mary Basin | AP14179 |
Moonie | AP13210 |
Moreton | AP14178 |
Pioneer | AP7900 |
Warrego–Paroo–Bulloo–Nebine | AP13211 |
Wet Tropics | AP19636 |
Whitsunday | AP20980 |
Resource-related attributes of a water allocation
As well as specifying the holder(s) and tenancy arrangements, the Water Allocations Register also records the following attributes of a water allocation:
- the location (supplemented or unsupplemented)
- the purpose (supplemented or unsupplemented)
- the conditions required by the department (supplemented or unsupplemented)
- the nominal volume (supplemented or unsupplemented)
- the priority group (supplemented only)
- the extraction rate (unsupplemented only)
- the flow conditions (unsupplemented only)
- the volumetric limit (unsupplemented only)
- the water allocation group (unsupplemented only).
Water markets forms and fees
Fees
The Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water charges application fees for processing applications to change, subdivide or amalgamate water allocations.
The Registrar of Water Allocations charges lodgement fees for:
- lodging documents
- searching the Water Allocations Register.
Additional fees may apply depending on the request.
Forms
Any form you do not complete accurately may be returned to you with a request for additional information. To ensure this does not happen:
- read the guidelines where provided
- contact staff at your local business centre to discuss your application before you lodge it.
- Access the forms for water allocation dealings.
Market information
On this page:
- Permanent water trading data
- Relocatable licence data
- Processing times for permanent and temporary trades
- Water sales data
- Water brokerage services
- Fair trading rights and obligations
The value of water allocations is determined by the market, and the prices paid are publicly available.
Read about Queensland valuations and sales.
Permanent water trading data
The reports below indicate market activity and present weighted average price information relating to water allocation transfers undertaken during the reporting period. Business rules have been developed to help ensure the consistency of the data and describe for the user how the data is presented and how totals have been calculated.
While every attempt has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, these prices are indicative only, as the integrity of this data depends on the quality of information provided to the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water. In particular, the department is not privy to individual business arrangements which may have been confidentially entered into by the parties to these transactions.
Before basing any decisions on this information, you should consider (with or without professional advice) whether it is sufficient for your needs, objectives and circumstances.
Monthly reports
Supplemented surface water allocations
March 2024 (PDF, 345.0KB)
February 2024 (PDF, 331.4KB)
January 2024 (PDF, 309.9KB)
December 2023 (PDF, 324.5KB)
November 2023 (PDF, 195.9KB)
October 2023 (PDF, 188.4KB)
September 2023 (PDF, 194.3KB)
August 2023 (PDF, 189.1KB)
July 2023 (PDF, 191.8KB)
June 2023 (PDF, 192.5KB)
May 2023 (PDF, 195.4KB)
April 2023 (PDF, 305.0KB)
March 2023 (PDF, 195.7KB)
February 2023 (PDF, 195.8KB)
January 2023 (PDF, 189.3KB)
December 2022 (PDF, 192.5KB)
November 2022 (PDF, 191.7KB)
October 2022 (PDF, 193.9KB)
September 2022 (PDF, 194.8KB)
August 2022 (PDF, 295.3KB)
July 2022 (PDF, 192.7KB)
June 2022 (PDF, 191.4KB)
May 2022 (PDF, 190.7KB)
April 2022 (PDF, 293.0KB)
March 2022 (PDF, 195.0KB)
February 2022 (PDF, 195.1KB)
January 2022 (PDF, 189.0KB)
December 2021 (PDF, 171.1KB)
November 2021 (PDF, 175.2KB)
October 2021 (PDF, 175.3KB)
September 2021 (PDF, 193.7KB)
August 2021 (PDF, 175.7KB)
July 2021 (PDF, 191.1KB)
June 2021 (PDF, 312.9KB)
May 2021 (PDF, 275.5KB)
April 2021 (PDF, 285.6KB)
March 2021 (PDF, 294.5KB)
February 2021 (PDF, 288.7KB)
January 2021 (PDF, 299.0KB)
December 2020 (PDF, 287.3KB)
November 2020 (PDF, 304.9KB)
October 2020 (PDF, 179.3KB)
September 2020 (PDF, 180.6KB)
August 2020 (PDF, 278.1KB)
July 2020 (PDF, 280.3KB)
Supplemented underground water allocations
March 2024 (PDF, 208.1KB)
February 2024 (PDF, 208.1KB)
January 2024 (PDF, 200.4KB)
December 2023 (PDF, 216.2KB)
November 2023 (PDF, 174.1KB)
October 2023 (PDF, 177.0KB)
September 2023 (PDF, 176.8KB)
August 2023 (PDF, 174.7KB)
July 2023 (PDF, 168.8KB)
June 2023 (PDF, 176.0KB)
May 2023 (PDF, 175.6KB)
April 2023 (PDF, 202.2KB)
March 2023 (PDF, 176.8KB)
February 2023 (PDF, 175.6KB)
January 2023 (PDF, 174.1KB)
December 2022 (PDF, 174.1KB)
November 2022 (PDF, 173.1KB)
October 2022 (PDF, 176.0KB)
September 2022 (PDF, 172.5KB)
August 2022 (PDF, 221.0KB)
July 2022 (PDF, 168.6KB)
June 2022 (PDF, 175.4KB)
May 2022 (PDF, 175.4KB)
April 2022 (PDF, 209.8KB)
March 2022 (PDF, 176.6KB)
February 2022 (PDF, 173.9KB)
January 2022 (PDF, 176.0KB)
December 2021 (PDF, 163.4KB)
November 2021 (PDF, 165.4KB)
October 2021 (PDF, 174.7KB)
September 2021 (PDF, 175.5KB)
August 2021 (PDF, 164.4KB)
July 2021 (PDF, 173.8KB)
June 2021 (PDF, 212.5KB)
May 2021 (PDF, 207.0KB)
April 2021 (PDF, 192.1KB)
March 2021 (PDF, 192.1KB)
February 2021 (PDF, 192.1KB)
January 2021 (PDF, 192.2KB)
December 2020 (PDF, 191.9KB)
November 2020 (PDF, 199.8KB)
October 2020 (PDF, 169.0KB)
September 2020 (PDF, 168.9KB)
August 2020 (PDF, 199.8KB)
July 2020 (PDF, 204.4KB)
Unsupplemented surface water allocations
March 2024 (PDF, 292.2KB)
February 2024 (PDF, 265.8KB)
January 2024 (PDF, 287.6KB)
December 2023 (PDF, 289.5KB)
November 2023 (PDF, 184.6KB)
October 2023 (PDF, 184.3KB)
September 2023 (PDF, 186.9KB)
August 2023 (PDF, 185.7KB)
July 2023 (PDF, 183.1KB)
June 2023 (PDF, 185.9KB)
May 2023 (PDF, 184.8KB)
April 2023 (PDF, 245.7KB)
March 2023 (PDF, 184.2KB)
February 2023 (PDF, 185.2KB)
January 2023 (PDF, 183.8KB)
December 2022 (PDF, 186.2KB)
November 2022 (PDF, 184.1KB)
October 2022 (PDF, 183.2KB)
September 2022 (PDF, 181.0KB)
August 2022 (PDF, 265.9KB)
July 2022 (PDF, 182.2KB)
June 2022 (PDF, 184.3KB)
May 2022 (PDF, 185.9KB)
April 2022 (PDF, 282.5KB)
March 2022 (PDF, 188.2KB)
February 2022 (PDF, 189.5KB)
January 2022 (PDF, 184.9KB)
December 2021 (PDF, 169.1KB)
November 2021 (PDF, 170.8KB)
October 2021 (PDF, 170.4KB)
September 2021 (PDF, 184.1KB)
August 2021 (PDF, 168.8KB)
July 2021 (PDF, 183.4KB)
June 2021 (PDF, 280.5KB)
May 2021 (PDF, 256.5KB)
April 2021 (PDF, 275.0KB)
March 2021 (PDF, 250.7KB)
February 2021 (PDF, 266.4KB)
January 2021 (PDF, 255.9KB)
December 2020 (PDF, 170.8KB)
November 2020 (PDF, 260.8KB)
October 2020 (PDF, 175.0KB)
September 2020 (PDF, 175.2KB)
August 2020 (PDF, 221.0KB)
July 2020 (PDF, 258.6KB)
Unsupplemented underground water allocations
March 2024 (PDF, 231.1KB)
February 2024 (PDF, 232.1KB)
January 2024 (PDF, 235.5KB)
December 2023 (PDF, 248.6KB)
November 2023 (PDF, 182.3KB)
October 2023 (PDF, 181.1KB)
September 2023 (PDF, 180.1KB)
August 2023 (PDF, 181.5KB)
July 2023 (PDF, 179.9KB)
June 2023 (PDF, 177.8KB)
May 2023 (PDF, 177.4KB)
April 2023 (PDF, 223.0KB)
March 2023 (PDF, 180.7KB)
February 2023 (PDF, 181.0KB)
January 2023 (PDF, 180.6KB)
December 2022 (PDF, 178.8KB)
November 2022 (PDF, 179.3KB)
October 2022 (PDF, 179.3KB)
September 2022 (PDF, 178.4KB)
August 2022 (PDF, 232.4KB)
July 2022 (PDF, 178.7KB)
June 2022 (PDF, 179.9KB)
May 2022 (PDF, 182.2KB)
April 2022 (PDF, 248.5KB)
March 2022 (PDF, 178.9KB)
February 2022 (PDF, 180.6KB)
January 2022 (PDF, 180.6KB)
December 2021 (PDF, 167.2KB)
November 2021 (PDF, 168.0KB)
October 2021 (PDF, 168.9KB)
September 2021 (PDF, 180.4KB)
August 2021 (PDF, 167.7KB)
July 2021 (PDF, 173.8KB)
June 2021 (PDF, 249.6KB)
May 2021 (PDF, 234.1KB)
April 2021 (PDF, 224.7KB)
March 2021 (PDF, 224.7KB)
February 2021 (PDF, 234.5KB)
January 2021 (PDF, 219.3KB)
December 2020 (PDF, 224.8KB)
November 2020 (PDF, 228.1KB)
October 2020 (PDF, 171.9KB)
September 2020 (PDF, 171.5KB)
August 2020 (PDF, 240.4KB)
July 2020 (PDF, 219.5KB)
Annual reports
Supplemented surface water allocations
2022-23 Financial year report (PDF, 198.9KB)
2021-22 Financial year report (PDF, 200.1KB)
2020-21 Financial year report (PDF, 178.1KB)
2019-20 Financial year report (PDF, 315.3KB)
2018-19 Financial year report (PDF, 329.3KB)
2017-18 Financial year report (PDF, 237.2KB)
Unsupplemented surface water allocations
2022-23 Financial year report (PDF, 206.9KB)
2021-22 Financial year report (PDF, 207.3KB)
2020-21 Financial year report (PDF, 180.4KB)
2019-20 Financial year report (PDF, 345.8KB)
2018-19 Financial year report (PDF, 204.7KB)
2017-18 Financial year report (PDF, 241.1KB)
Supplemented underground water allocations
2022-23 Financial year report (PDF, 177.2KB)
2021-22 Financial year report (PDF, 176.4KB)
2020-21 Financial year report (PDF, 211.3KB)
2019-20 Financial year report (PDF, 197.9KB)
2018-19 Financial year report (PDF, 199.3KB)
2017-18 Financial year report (PDF, 201.2KB)
Unsupplemented underground water allocations
2022-23 Financial year report (PDF, 183.2KB)
2021-22 Financial year report (PDF, 183.2KB)
2020-21 Financial year report (PDF, 258.1KB)
2019-20 Financial year report (PDF, 241.4KB)
2018-19 Financial year report (PDF, 181.5KB)
2017-18 Financial year report (PDF, 212.6KB)
Relocatable licence data
The following is a snapshot of the market activity relating to the relocation of water licences.
Water licence relocation reports
Great Artesian Basin
Central Condamine Alluvium
Dalrymple Creek Alluvium Groundwater Management Area
Oakey Creek Groundwater Management Area
Business rules have been developed to help ensure the consistency of the data presented in the water licence relocation reports.
Note about water licence conversions
In July 2019, water licences in the Oakey Creek Groundwater Management Area and the Dalrymple Creek Alluvium Groundwater Management Area, were converted to water allocations.
Information on trades in these 2 areas can be found in the above section: Permanent water trading data – Unsupplemented underground water allocations.
Note about prices
Any prices published are indicative only and have been based on information provided to the department. The department is not privy to individual business arrangements which may have been confidentially entered into by the parties to these transactions.
Before basing any decisions on this information, you should consider (with or without the assistance of an adviser) whether it is sufficient for your needs, objectives and circumstances. The data in the 2006–07 year was collected from 1 February 2007 when the Great Artesian Basin resource operations plan commenced, giving effect to the relocation of water licences.
Processing times for permanent and temporary trades
Find out about water trading service standards and water trade processing times measured against the Council of Australian Governments' (COAG) service standards.
Water sales data
Licensed bulk water sales data can be purchased through data wholesalers or directly from the department.
Queensland Valuations and Sales (QVAS)
For a fee, specific data may be obtained on water allocation sales (known as a sales data listing, or an abbreviated sales data listing) over the counter via the QVAS system from our service centres throughout Queensland.
This data, which comes from historical sales records, contains details such as:
- lot on plan
- date of sale
- sale price
- resource-related attributes of an allocation (e.g. location)
- other related sales information.
Water brokerage services
Water brokers can bring buyers and sellers of water products together with real estate agents, stock and station agents, managers of water supply schemes and individuals.
Water brokers are subject to Australian Consumer Law under the Queensland Fair Trading Act 1989 and the Commonwealth Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (previously the Trade Practices Act 1974) concerning commercial transactions.
Fair trading rights and obligations
All water market participants are subject to the Fair Trading Act 1989 and the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has a series of brochures outlining the responsibilities and rights of water brokers and their clients.
For further information, visit the ACCC website or phone ACCC on 1300 302 502.
Water allocation dealings
Water allocation dealings include a change to a water allocation that affects its registered, resource-related attributes or proprietary or tenancy interests. Not all water allocation dealings require approval from the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water. However, for any dealing to have effect, all relevant documents must be lodged for registration on the Water Allocations Register. The different types of dealings are explained below.
- Dealings that require prior approval
- Dealings that do not require prior approval
- Additional registration requirements
- Order of document registration
Dealings that require prior approval
A water allocation may need to be changed in some way to meet a buyer's or seller's needs or a holder may want to change an allocation in some way without selling it. Dealings affecting the registered, resource-related attributes of a water allocation, that require approval by the department before registration include:
- changes
- subdivisions
- amalgamations.
The allocation holder must get approval for these dealings from the department who will issue a water allocation dealing certificate.
Before it expires, this certificate must be registered on the Water Allocations Register (WAR) using a Form 14 - General Request or the dealing will lapse and cannot be registered until a new certificate is provided.
Depending on whether the allocation is for supplemented or unsupplemented supply, and whether it is mortgaged, additional registration requirements may apply.
Changing water allocations
The most common request is to move the allocation to a different location. The location is a zone specified in a water plan, typically a reach of a river, from which water can be taken. Each water management protocol (for unsupplemented water allocations) or operations manual (for water allocations managed under a resource operations licence) includes trading rules detailing permitted and prohibited changes to water allocations in the area.
To help determine if a potential change will be approved, the holder should consider the combined volumetric current water allocation locations for each zone.
If a proposed change doesn't specifically relate to the trading rules, the applicant may be required to carry out a more substantial investigation, which includes publicly advertising the application. However, there is still no guarantee of approval.
Changing the location of your water allocation may also require a development permit for any necessary water-related developments, for example installing a watercourse pump.
Subdividing water allocations
A water allocation can be subdivided into 2 or more parts so that a part of the original allocation can be sold or leased, or some attributes changed.
Amalgamating allocations
Two or more allocations with the same attributes can be amalgamated to create a new single allocation. If the attributes are not the same, for example if the separate water allocations authorise taking water from different locations, the holder must apply to the department to change the location of one or more of them, as the water allocations must all have the same attributes before they can be amalgamated.
Before amalgamation, multiple holders must also ensure that the tenancy arrangements they have registered are identical for each water allocation.
Dealings that do not require prior approval
Leases or transfers of water allocations that do not affect a water allocation's resource-related attributes (but may affect its proprietary or tenancy interests) do not require approval from the department. However, notices may have to be given and all relevant documents must be registered on the WAR.
Additional registration requirements
There are additional registration requirements, depending on whether allocations are for supplemented or unsupplemented supply, and whether they are mortgaged.
Supplemented supply
A transfer, lease, subdivision, amalgamation or change of an allocation taken from supplemented supply (e.g. water released from dams) must be accompanied by a Notice to registrar of water allocations of existence of supply contract (PDF, 500KB) with the supply scheme operator.
Unsupplemented supply
To transfer or lease an unsupplemented water allocation, the holder must supply a Notice of proposed transfer or lease of unsupplemented water allocation (PDF, 1.6MB), which is not strictly an approval. The department will then issue a water allocation dealing certificate acknowledging the proposed transfer or lease.
For the transfer or lease to be registered on the WAR, the dealing certificate must be lodged at the same time as either Form 1 - Transfer and Form 24 - Property Transfer Information or Form 7 - Lease/Sublease.
Distribution network obligations
Within some water supply schemes, some water allocations also receive water via works that further distribute water into off-stream channels and/or watercourses. These 'distribution networks' are managed by a distribution operations licence holder who is authorised to take or interfere with the flow of water to distribute water under an allocation.
An administrative advice recorded on the title of such a water allocations makes it known that the distribution licence holder can require payment from the allocation holder. This obligation to pay a charge continues with the water allocation, even when the title is transferred or leased, or if an allocation is changed, subdivided or amalgamated. Payment is a matter for the licence holder and the allocation holder.
If the distribution operations licence holder provides the department with a notice stating that the obligation for payment has been satisfied, the department must give the Registrar of Titles and Water Allocations notice of this and the administrative advice will be removed from the title.
Mortgaged water allocations
Like land, a water allocation can be mortgaged. If the allocation being transferred is mortgaged, the seller must complete and submit Form 3 - release of mortgage, so that the transfer documents can be registered.
Similarly, the registrar will not record the subdivision or amalgamation of a mortgaged allocation unless the mortgagee consents to the dealing by completing and submitting Form 18 - general consent.
If a water allocation being changed is mortgaged, the holder should also consider any possible mortgagee requirements.
Order of document registration
You may be required to lodge documents in a particular order when submitting multiple dealings for registration on the WAR. For example, if one part of a subdivided allocation is to be changed, the subdivision must be entered on the WAR before the water allocation dealing certificate is lodged.
- Contact Titles Registration to discuss the order of document registration.
Tenancy and registration of interests
When a draft water entitlement notice is published, it may allow for existing water entitlements, which are tied to land, to be converted to water allocations, which become tradable assets, separate from the land. Holders of these water entitlements may need to consider their tenancy arrangements and update their wills.
Third parties, such as financial institutions holding mortgages over land to which the previous entitlement was attached, may also need to register their interests over any proposed water allocations.
Below are some of the legal and taxation implications.
Tenancy arrangements
Water licences and interim water allocations do not specify tenancy ratios or how the entitlement is held - they only list the holders. In contrast, when buying a water allocation, you can specify how you want to hold it (e.g. as tenants in common with share size specified or as joint tenants). You may also change this ownership arrangement later.
Tenants in common
This arrangement is a co-ownership structure that allows 2 or more individuals to own a part interest in a property. As tenants in common, each investor can hold a separate and distinct share in the property.
These shares can be equal or unequal. For example, if one party contributes one third more to the property than the other, as tenants in common they can own shares of two thirds and one third respectively.
If one of the owners dies, their share does not automatically go to the surviving co-owners, but must be dealt with under the deceased owner's will.
This type of ownership is popular with owners who don't necessarily want their share, on their death, to go to the other owners.
Joint tenancy
This is an ownership structure where 2 or more people are joint owners of property.
The unique aspect of joint tenancy is the right of survivorship – that is, if one of the joint tenants dies, their interest in the property automatically passes to the surviving joint tenant(s) who will hold the entire interest in the water allocation.
A will does not override a joint tenancy.
Changing tenancy arrangements
You can specify the tenancy arrangements under which you want to hold the allocation before a water licence or interim water allocation is converted to a water allocation on the approval of a water entitlement notice.
Under the Water Act 2000, water allocations are granted to holders as tenants in common in equal shares (if there is more than 1 holder). If this is not the preferred arrangement, holders can complete and submit a Request to modify interests in a water allocation (PDF, 1.4MB) to have the tenancy changed (e.g. to joint tenants, or tenants in common with a different share arrangement). No fees are payable for submitting this request before the water entitlement notice is approved and published.
Unless the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water receives a modification notice before the water entitlement notice is approved and published, the water allocation will be recorded on the register with the default arrangement (i.e. tenants in common in equal shares).
The modification notice cannot be used to add new holders for the water allocation (i.e. anyone who doesn't already have an existing interest or share in the entitlement being converted).
We advise that you seek professional advice about your preferred tenancy arrangements.
For more information, read financial interests and tenancy arrangements (PDF, 153KB).
Registration of interests
The Water Act 2000 permits the registration of interests over, or dealings with, a water allocation, which may be registered on a land title under the Land Title Act 1994 (e.g. mortgages, leases, caveats). There are some exceptions, like easements.
Though the Registrar of Water Allocations must record registrable financial interests over a water allocation, interests currently registered on a land title (e.g. a mortgage) will not automatically be registered if the allocation replaces a water entitlement that was previously attached to the mortgaged land.
It is the responsibility of the existing interest holder to register their interest on the Water Allocations Register.
To register financial interests over an allocation during the draft water entitlement notice consultation process (before an entitlement has been converted to an allocation), existing interest holders may notify the department of their Intention to register an interest (PDF, 1.3MB). This affords the existing interest holder time to take all necessary steps in relation to registration of their interest.
Having already notified the department of their intention to register an interest, and with the consent of the proposed water allocation holder, existing interest holders may notify the department of the Consent to encumber a water allocation (PDF, 1.3MB) with an existing mortgage interest.
Note: The proposed water allocation holder must also be the registered owner of all the land title to which the existing water entitlement attaches and the existing interest holder's existing interest must relate to all of that land.
For more information, read financial interests and tenancy arrangements (PDF, 153KB).
Public notices of applications for water allocation dealings
A public notice may be required for an application to change a water allocation. This provides an opportunity for interested parties to make a submission about an application.
Current public notices are shown below.
How to make a submission on a public notice
Your submission on a water allocation application must:
- be made in writing and signed by each person making the submission
- have the name and address of each person making the submission
- state the grounds of the submission and the supporting facts and circumstances
- include the application reference number
- be received by the chief executive of the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water on or before the closing date stated in the notice (minimum 30 business days).
The names and addresses of those who've made submissions will be included in the information notice given to the applicant and all submitters when they are advised of the outcome of the application.
The notice includes the decision and its reasons, as well as information about rights to an internal review and the appeal process.
Submissions are subject to the Right to Information Act 2009 and Information Privacy Act 2009, and may be made available to anyone who makes an information access request under these Acts.
Current public notices
The notice will generally include links to the application and any supporting materials. If not, contact your local business centre to inspect these documents.
Application reference and notice | Applicant name | Closing day for submissions | Local government area | Water plan |
---|---|---|---|---|
632612: Smithfield Capital Pty Ltd as Trustee (PDF, 47.3KB) | Smithfield Capital Pty Ltd as Trustee | 27 June 2024 | Goondiwindi Regional Council | Water Plan (Border Rivers and Moonie) 2019 |
632613: Smithfield Capital Pty Ltd as Trustee (PDF, 47.4KB) | Smithfield Capital Pty Ltd as Trustee | 27 June 2024 | Goondiwindi Regional Council | Water Plan (Border Rivers and Moonie) 2019 |
Interstate water market
Water trade in the Border Rivers catchment operates across the New South Wales–Queensland border.
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. Whether the 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.
Under this arrangement, the water user always deals with the state agency and/or water service provider from where the trade originates—not in the state where the water is taken.
- Permanent interstate water trades and leases
- Temporary interstate water trades
- Water charges, metering and works approvals
- Terminology
- Contacts
Permanent interstate water trades and leases
Permanent interstate water allocation dealings, including trades and leases, do not require prior approval by the state water agency. Relevant titles documents (including notification requirements) just need to be recorded on the water titles register in the state of origin.
For water allocation dealings that do not require approval to take effect, additional registration requirements will apply depending on whether the allocations are for supplemented or unsupplemented water supply.
However, before registration on the state of origin water register, some water allocation dealings (e.g. changes to location) may need prior approval and/or notification from the relevant state water agency where the product originates.
Temporary interstate water trades
Under the temporary interstate trade framework in the Border Rivers catchment, part or all of the water accruing to a water account in one state can be assigned to be taken in the other state, during that water year. The water entitlement remains registered in and managed by the state of origin. The water available under the trade approval is also managed under the conditions or management rules of that state.
Conducting interstate supplemented/regulated water trade
For temporary trades of this water type, water is transferred from the seller's individual water account under continuous accounting to a holding account that is managed by the water service provider in the state of origin.
Specifically:
- Under the continuous accounting arrangements, the holding account used for these transfers does not have a permanent share of the storage and water may only be stored to the extent that there is available air space within the general use accounts of the state of origin. For this reason, if an inflow occurs that would cause the storage to spill (either to the other state or downstream), the first water spilled is the water in the holding account.
- The works for taking water in the state of destination must be authorised by the relevant authority in the state of destination and the purchaser must obtain approval from the Water Service Provider in the state of origin to use the nominated works in the state of destination for the taking of water under the interstate temporary trade.
- The water service provider in the state of origin will continue to be responsible for water ordering, water accounting and billing.
Conducting interstate unsupplemented/supplementary water trade
In Queensland, a temporary trade of unsupplemented water (seasonal water assignment) involves assigning access to current or future unregulated flows to another party during a water year. A temporary trade of New South Wales supplementary water involves applying to assign account water to another party, and requires the purchaser - in whichever state - to hold or lease a supplementary water access licence.
In particular, for temporary trades of unsupplemented/supplementary water:
- After agreeing to trade, the parties enter into a private contract which allows the buyer to access New South Wales account water, or current and/or future flows available under a Queensland entitlement, for the remainder of the water year.
- The parties must contact the resource manager in the state of origin to provide all necessary information to enable the temporary trade to be completed - including, but not limited to, details of the entitlement, the portion of unused volume to be assigned to the buyer, and the relevant details of the works for taking the water in the state of destination.
Water orders, charges, metering and works approvals
Any interstate dealings associated with permanent or temporary trades or leases of water always link back to the conditions and management rules specified by the state of origin. Water orders for supplemented or regulated water are placed with the relevant water service provider in the state of origin. Similarly, announcements for unsupplemented or supplementary water entitlements such as the commencement of water harvesting, are made by the state of origin.
The state of origin may include a service fee to water users to recoup the cost of metering invoices from the other state. For example, a water user in the state of destination would submit a water order to the state of origin water service provider who will bill the water user in the state of destination directly. The water service provider may include a fee for reading the meter, which has been conducted under the rules and regulations and at the cost of the state of destination.
There may be requirements in the state of destination 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 state of destination to ensure that all necessary approvals are obtained.
Terminology
Below is a table of water products and transactions with their equivalent interstate terms.
Queensland | New South Wales |
---|---|
Water allocation | Water access licence |
Announced allocation | Available water determination |
Lease | Term transfer |
Amalgamation | Consolidation |
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 |
Operations manual | Water sharing plan |
Water account | Water allocation account |
Priority group | Category |
Contacts for interstate trade
Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water
Contact the department's local business 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: Departmental staff do not provide legal advice. To protect your interests, or if you are unsure of your legal entitlements, contact a solicitor or legal adviser.
Titles Registry Office
For enquiries on searches, document lodgement and registry requirements, contact the Titles Registry Office.
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.
NSW Department of Primary Industries
Contact the water dealings officer at the local NSW Office of Water.
Phone: 1800 353 104
Email: information@water.nsw.gov.au
Refer to the individual information sheets on each type of dealing at the NSW Office of Water or from regional offices.
NSW Land and Property Management Authority
General water dealings only take effect when registered by Land and Property Information.
Phone: 1300 052 637
Website: www.lpi.nsw.gov.au
Statewater
Phone: 1300 662 077
Fax: (02) 6884 2603
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
Processing times for water trades
The tables below show the percentage of trades processed by the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water within the indicated time frame. The intended service standards are set by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG).
For reports on processing times for supplemented water assignments, visit Sunwater.
Seasonal water assignments – temporary trade
Table 1: Percentage of unsupplemented seasonal water assignment applications processed from 1 July 2023 to 31 March 2024.
Seasonal water assignment processing requirements | Total number of seasonal water assignments processed | Number processed within standard requirement | Performance against standard | Intended service standard |
---|---|---|---|---|
Interstate seasonal water assignments—percentage processed within 10 business days | 2 | 2 | 100% | 90% |
Intrastate seasonal water assignments—percentage processed within 5 business days | 132 | 121 | 92% | 90% |
Note: National Water Initiative terminology equivalent is 'allocation' trade.
Permanent water trades
Table 2: Percentage of permanent water trades registered on the Water Allocation Register from 1 July 2023 to 31 March 2024.
Permanent trade registration requirement | Total number of permanent trades processed | Number processed within 10 days | Performance against standard | Intended service standard |
---|---|---|---|---|
Registration of permanent trades within 10 business days | 494 | 424 | 86% | 90% |
Note: National Water Initiative terminology equivalent is 'water access entitlement' trade.
Additional notes
- The time frame for the service standard commences on receipt of the application forms and associated fee.
- The service standard is a measure of business days only.
- An application finalised on the same day it is received is taken as being finalised in 1 day.
- Recorded processing times exclude the time taken to return an application for correction or further information. Only the time spent by the department processing the trade is recorded.
- Performance against the service standard is reported as a cumulative monthly figure.
Reporting business rules
These business rules have been developed to guide the preparation of the permanent water trading reports; in particular the calculation of the weighted average price information presented in the reports. Application of these business rules enables the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water to provide the Queensland water market with reliable, consistent aggregate information on water trading activity in the state.
All transfers listed in the permanent water trading reports relate to transfers of legal and beneficial ownership registered on the Water Allocations Register (WAR) during the reporting period. There are separate reports for supplemented and unsupplemented water allocation transfers. Each report includes 2 distinct tables:
Reports are prepared monthly commencing in July each financial year. Monthly reports are then replaced with an annual report at the end of the financial year.
Data is sourced from the Automated Titles System (ATS) via the department's Water Management System. All figures presented in the reports are rounded up or down to the nearest whole number.
Note the terms 'transfer' and 'trade' are interchangeable.
Transfer of ownership - water only
This table is for transactions involving the transfer of water allocations only - not land.
Location
Water allocation transfers are identified by water plan area and then by water supply scheme (supplemented water) or water management area (unsupplemented water) within the particular water plan area.
Supplemented water trades are further grouped according to their priority status (e.g. High or Medium). Unsupplemented water trades are grouped according to their particular part of the ROP area (e.g. LB1, LB2).
Volume
These tables present the number of water allocations transferred and the associated volume of water transferred during the reporting period.
The number of transfers refers to the number of water allocation-only transfers registered on the WAR during the reporting period. This means all transfers, including transfers:
- where there was no monetary consideration, such as 'gifts of natural love and affection'
- for nominal consideration (such as for $1)
- for unusually high consideration.
The volume of transfers refers to the total nominal volume of water allocation-only transfers registered on the WAR during the reporting period. This means the total volume of all transfers, as above. It includes the total volume of all water allocations irrespective of the number of allocations transferred in a transaction or the consideration or the type of transfer.
Separate totals of the numbers of transfers and total volumes - in megalitres (ML) - are given for each water priority group (supplemented water) or water allocation group (unsupplemented water).
Overall total numbers and volumes are also provided for the entire water plan area for the reporting period.
The volume of turnover as a percentage of the total nominal volume (i.e. the volume traded as a percentage of the amount available for trade) is also provided for each water supply scheme or water management area and again as a total for each water plan area.
Note: Only whole percentages are provided and any percentages less than 1 are presented as <1.
In the monthly reports, financial year-to-date totals for numbers, volumes and percentage of turnover are also provided for each water plan area and state-wide.
Price
Price information is provided in terms of $/ML. For each water priority group or water allocation group, a total price is given for trades during the reporting period. This price is a weighted average price.
The following transfers are included in the price calculation:
- transfers for a monetary consideration of $1 or more
- transfers for unusually high dollar amounts, once validated on ATS
- transfers of multiple water allocations in the 1 transaction with the 1 total consideration and where the allocations have the same characteristics.
The following transfers are excluded from the price calculation:
- transfers for no monetary consideration
- transfers of multiple water allocations in the 1 transaction with 1 total consideration and where the allocations have differing characteristics. For example, if the transaction includes the transfer of supplemented and unsupplemented water or the transfer of water of different water priorities
- transfers that include other property, such as farm equipment in the sale price.
Weighted average price
This weighted average price is calculated by adding the total sale price of each relevant transfer then dividing that total by the total volume of water transferred.
For example, 6 trades were undertaken in Region A during the 1 reporting period:
- trade 1: 15ML @ $1,500/ML
- trade 2: 30ML @ $1,650/ML
- trade 3: 150ML for NIL consideration
- trade 4: 250ML for a total consideration of $1
- trade 5: 210ML plus 50 ML for a total consideration of $195,000
- trade 6: 200ML for NIL consideration.
Applying the business rules outlined above, the number of transfers would be recorded as 6. The total volume of water transferred would be recorded as 905ML.
The calculation of the weighted average price for this group of water transfers will include trades 1, 2, 4 and 5 and exclude trades 3 and 6 as there has been no monetary consideration paid.
Trade 5 is a multiple water allocation transaction - 2 water allocations with the same characteristics (i.e. water type and priority level) were traded in the 1 transaction for a total consideration of $195,000. One allocation was for 210ML and one for 50 ML making an average of $750/ML (195,000/260=750). Trade 5 would not be included if the transfer included both supplemented and unsupplemented water.
Weighted average price calculation
- (Total consideration) - (15*1500) + (30*1650)+(250*1) + (210*750) + (50*750) = $267,250
- (Total volume) - 15 + 30 + 250 + 210 + 50 = 555ML
- (Weighted average price) - 267250/555 = 481.53
The weighted average price for this group of trades would therefore be listed as $482.
Transfer of ownership - land and water
This table is included for comparative purposes and relates to the combined sales of land and water allocation titles in the same transaction.
This table presents the total number, total volume and total percentage turnover of combined water allocation and land sales that were undertaken in each water plan area during the reporting period.
© The State of Queensland 1995–2024
- Last reviewed: 08 Sep 2021
- Last updated: 08 Sep 2021