Burnett Basin water plan area
This information will help you understand how water is managed in the water plan area and how you can access water.
Map of the water plan area
Check whether your property is covered by the plan on the Queensland Globe water plan map (use Google Chrome for best results) or download the Burnett Basin water plan area map (PDF, 1.8MB).
What's happening?
- 13 January 2025: We’ve just completed a new Minister’s performance assessment report (PDF, 5.6MB) for this water plan. This 5-yearly check up shows that the current plan can continue managing the Basin’s water resources sustainably until our replacement plan is complete.
- 19 April 2024: The expiry date for the Burnett Basin water plan has been extended for three years and will now be in place until 19 April 2027. This extension will give us enough time to consider feedback received through public consultation and complete technical assessments as we review and replace the water plan with a new one. View our impact analysis statement about this decision.
- 18 April 2024: We are reviewing and replacing the Burnett Basin water plan. Our first round of public consultation closed 28 June 2024 and we are currently considering submissions received.
- 2 April 2024: We are assessing interest in temporarily releasing unallocated water from the strategic water infrastructure reserve to support the Mt Rawdon pumped hydro energy storage project.
- 30 November 2024: Due date for meter revalidations for the Coastal Burnett groundwater management area for the following groundwater sub areas: Kolan – Burnett B, Burnett – Elliot B, Elliot – Gregory B, Fairymead B and the Boyne and Stuart Rivers water management area.
- 30 November 2023: Due date for meter revalidations for the Coastal Burnett Groundwater water management area – Kolan - Burnett A; Burnett - Elliot A; Elliot - Gregory A; Fairymead A.
Water management
Summary
| Type of water | Management |
|---|---|
| Surface water | Check the water plan information below for rules and requirements |
| Overland flow | Check the water plan information below for rules and requirements |
| Underground water | Check the water plan information below for rules and requirements. Check the Great Artesian Basin and Other Regional Aquifers water plan for underground water and spring water in the Great Artesian Basin and other important regional aquifers. |
Water plan information
- Water plan – to be read in conjunction with the Burnett transitions from ROP to water plan (PDF, 7.3MB).
- Water management protocol (PDF, 762KB).
- Access historical documents and reports and previous water plans.
- Access the Minister’s performance assessment report (PDF, 5.6MB) or view historic reports for the plan.
Water supply scheme operators and manuals
The licences contain information about the roles and responsibilities of the licence holders. Check the operations manuals for day-to-day operational, water sharing and seasonal water assignment rules.
| Name | Operator | Licence | Manual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barker Barambah Water Supply Scheme | Sunwater | Resource operations licence (PDF, 262KB) | Operations manual (PDF, 205KB) |
| Boyne River and Tarong Water Supply Scheme | Sunwater | Resource operations licence (PDF, 138KB) | Operations manual (PDF, 238KB) |
| Bundaberg Water Supply Scheme | Sunwater | Resource operations licence (PDF, 171KB) | Operations manual (PDF, 464KB) |
| Three Moon Creek Water Supply Scheme | Sunwater | Interim resource operations licence | Not yet available |
| Upper Burnett Water Supply Scheme | Sunwater | Resource operations licence (PDF, 137KB) | Operations manual (PDF, 366KB) |
Water sharing rules
- Water supply schemes: check the operations manuals in the section above.
- Unsupplemented water and underground water – check the water management protocol (PDF, 762KB).
Accessing water
Follow the links below for more information on how to access water in the water plan area.
| Announced entitlements and limits | The water you can take through your water entitlement may be limited. Check announced entitlements and limits for unsupplemented water or contact the water supply scheme operator for supplemented water. |
|---|---|
| Unallocated water releases | No current releases, however we are assessing interest in temporarily releasing water from the Strategic Water Infrastructure Reserve to support the Mt Rawdon pumped hydro energy storage project. |
| Water allocation trading - water supply schemes | For additional information on trading in the following water supply schemes see:
|
| Water allocation trading - unsupplemented water | For additional information on trading in the water management areas see:
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| Seasonal water assignment |
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Seasonal trading options – Coastal Burnett
Use this tool to check what seasonal trades are possible between zones in the Coastal Burnett location. Note: This calculator is being trialled for the Coastal Burnett region only.
Trading options
Trades that match your search
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Other possible trades
You can trade with the following zones (up to the maximum volume for each zone).
Contact us
Contact the Bundaberg business centre for more information on water management and how you can access water in the Burnett Basin.
Also consider...
- Explore the various ways we use science to develop, monitor, review and evaluate our water plans using our interactive storymap.
- Read Queensland's water plans in a variable and changing climate report to understand how water plans incorporate climate science and manage the risks of climate variability.
- Find out more about Indigenous water reserves.
- Get streamflow and groundwater data from the Queensland Government Water monitoring information portal.
- Access maps and water data using Queensland Globe or the water entitlement viewer.
- Find out about river improvement trusts and their work.
- View price information for permanent water allocation trades and relocatable water licences.
- Read about water planning and learn where to find information in the new water planning documents.
- Read the Water planning science plan 2020–2030 to find out how we use science to develop water plans and improve water planning.