Accessing unallocated water
Learn about the types of unallocated water and how to access it.
We manage water sustainably through our water plans, balancing the needs of all users and the environment. Sometimes there is extra water available that can be released without affecting existing water users. This is called unallocated water.
We keep track of how much unallocated water there is and how much demand there is to access it. If unallocated water is available, we can decide to release it to support:
- agriculture
- industry
- community development
- cultural uses.
Types of unallocated water
Water can come from rivers, dams or underground sources. Unallocated water is usually reserved for specific purposes which is outlined in the water plan for your area.
Unallocated water reserve types and purposes include:
| Type of unallocated water | Purpose |
|---|---|
| General reserve | For most types of water use. |
| Indigenous reserve |
For projects that advance the social and economic aspirations of Indigenous people. Find out more about Indigenous reserves. |
| Strategic or state reserve | For town water supply, coordinated projects, projects of regional significance and water infrastructure projects. |
| Strategic water infrastructure reserve (SWIR) |
For future water infrastructure such as dams, weirs or pumped-hydro projects, or temporary water licences for up to 3 years. Find out more about SWIR. |
| Cape York Peninsula Heritage Area (CYPHA) reserve |
Only available in the Cape York water plan area for eligible Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Find out more about CYPHA. |
Express your interest
If you are interested in accessing unallocated water, you can submit an expression of interest. This is not the same as an application for unallocated water, but it will help us decide where to plan releases in the future.
You can check the expressions of interest page to see if we are seeking for expressions of interest in your area.
Releasing unallocated water
We can decide to release water that is not currently being used where there is enough interest. This is called an unallocated water release.
An unallocated water release can take several months or even years as it involves a thorough process to make sure water is allocated equitably and sustainably. For general reserves, the steps are:
- Identify demand – we will review the information we have collected through water plan reviews and expressions of interest. We might ask for expressions of interest from targeted areas to help us understand demand.
- Decision to release – based on the demand, we decide the terms of release and the type of water entitlement to offer.
- Application and assessment – we provide a timeline for people to apply for the water and assess the applications we receive.
- Offer and grant – we make offers to successful applicants and grant entitlements.
In step 2, we will announce the unallocated water release on our website and provide information on how to apply for or purchase water.
The terms of release (also called a terms of sale or terms of grant) contains all the information about the release, including:
- eligibility and restrictions
- amount, location and type of water being made available (e.g. surface water or groundwater)
- method of sale (e.g. tender, auction, fixed price sale or grant)
- water entitlement type (e.g. water licence or allocation) and conditions
- for some releases, any requirements the successful applicant will have to meet before a water entitlement is granted.
You can check the current unallocated water releases to see if there is a release occurring in your area.
Enquiries
Contact your local business centre.