Border Rivers and Moonie Fractured Rock unallocated water release

Current status

We have released unallocated water in the Border Rivers and Moonie water plan area to landowners and prescribed entities.

Applications will only be accepted during the application submission period of 9am, 1 June 2026 until 5pm, 31 May 2027.

We're making this unallocated water available for use by landowners and prescribed entities within the Fractured Rock area for uses such as irrigation expansion, industrial (e.g. quarrying), stock-intensive purposes and other productive uses.

The findings from the Border Rivers and Moonie unlocking water review included a recommendation to release 387ML of water from the Fractured Rock aquifer to help local industries grow.

If you are interested in applying for water, start planning now:

  • If you are located where water is being released, you should start planning for a project, including the location(s) and volume of water that you are seeking.
  • Establish whether you can construct and operate works to take water at the proposed location(s).

Water products available

We are releasing 387ML of underground water from the Border Rivers Fractured Rock aquifer (Fractured Rock area), in response to demand identified through the recent expression of interest process. Detailed information on the water product available is in the Border Rivers and Moonie Fractured Rock aquifer unallocated water release terms of sale (PDF, 834KB).

A limit of 50ML applies to all applications.

Who can apply

An application can be made by an owner of land within the Fractured Rock indicative area of release or by a prescribed entity.

The definition of an owner of land and a prescribed entity is stated under section 104 of the Water Act 2000.

An agent can act on behalf of an owner of land or a prescribed entity.

How to apply

  1. Review the Border Rivers and Moonie Fractured Rock aquifer unallocated water release terms of sale (PDF, 834KB).
  2. Fill out the application form (within the terms of sale document).
  3. Return the form with all supporting documentation to unallocatedwaterseq@dlgwv.qld.gov.au.

The terms of sale document includes:

  • release process
  • water products being released
  • eligibility requirements
  • pricing information
  • assessment process
  • water licence conditions
  • application form.

Applications will be accepted during the application submission period (9am on 1 June 2026 until 5pm on 31 May 2027). Only conforming applications that meet the requirements of the terms of sale will proceed to the next stage. Applications will be assessed in order of receipt until the total volume of available water has been allocated.

If your application is successful

We may issue a conditional offer, which may:

The pumping test must be completed within 9 months, with a possible extension of up to 3 months in exceptional circumstances, subject to approval by the department.

Final offers may be made based on the results of the proof-of-supply pumping test, less any existing water entitlements you may already have from the Fractured Rock aquifer.

Successful applicants will receive a formal offer to grant a water licence. To accept the offer, you must agree to the terms and pay the total purchase price by the due date specified on the invoice that will be with the offer letter.

Price and payment requirements

The release will follow a fixed price process, with a set price $1,500 per ML of water for each water product, as outlined in the terms of sale.

Payment must be made in full following the final offer and prior to the water licence being granted.

More information

Additional approvals

Some applications may require additional approvals.

General approvals advice

Enquiries