Water trading in the GABORA water plan area

In Queensland, water can be traded either permanently or temporarily on a seasonal basis (called a seasonal assignment) where provided for in a water plan.

This trade allows:

• existing water users to buy and sell water to suit their business.
• new businesses to buy water.

The Great Artesian Basin and other regional aquifers (GABORA) water plan provides for the trade of relocatable water licences that are attached to a parcel of land.

The rules for relocating or seasonally assigning a water licence in the GABORA water plan area are detailed in the GABORA water management protocol (PDF, 803KB). A water licence cannot be relocated if the relocation will adversely impact existing water users or flows to groundwater dependent ecosystems.

There is significant demand for water in the plan area, with regular enquiries about the permanent and temporary trade of water. Since commencement, over 5,200ML of entitlement has been permanently relocated and over 700ML water seasonally assigned.

The GABORA Minister’s performance assessment report (PDF, 4.8MB) indicated that market opportunities were restricted in many parts of the plan area because spring or bore criteria have reached their limit under current settings.

Opportunities for greater flexibility to trade groundwater will be investigated and opportunities to advance volumetric conversions will be explored in consultation with stakeholders.

Any changes made to the trading framework will be based on the best available science to ensure protections for groundwater dependent ecosystems and existing users are maintained and appropriately balance against opportunities for water security and economic development through trade.