Updating the science for the Logan Basin water plan

Since the Logan Basin water plan was introduced in 2007, new scientific information has been gathered about the water requirements of ecosystems. Advances in technology have also improved our ability to monitor stream flows and groundwater levels.

This new knowledge comes from:

  • hydrological assessments
  • ecological assessments
  • social and economic assessments
  • overland flow assessments
  • groundwater assessments
  • engagement with Traditional Owners
  • climate variability assessments.

Updated information has been used to develop the draft Logan Basin water plan (PDF, 1.3MB), including the establishment of new performance indicators to assess proposals for sustainable water management.

Key updates include:

  • Hydrologic assessment: A new model (1889-2017) provides insights into streamflow patterns, supporting updated environmental flow objectives (EFOs) and water allocation security objectives (WASOs).
  • Environmental risk assessment: Identifies risks to ecological assets, such as riparian systems and groundwater-dependent ecosystems, and recommends strategies to maintain ecological health.
  • Socio-economic assessment: Evaluates water demand trends driven by population growth and guides strategies to balance economic growth with sustainable water use.
  • Cultural water assessment: Incorporates information collected on Traditional Owners aspirations and cultural values into water planning, ensuring ongoing engagement and protection of cultural sites and species.
  • Groundwater assessment: Focuses on groundwater-surface water connectivity and groundwater-dependent ecosystems, recommending expanded management areas to address growing demand.
  • Climate assessment: Models future scenarios to inform adaptive strategies for water security under changing climatic conditions.

Tools like the Water Monitoring and Information Portal (WMIP) and Environmental Flows Assessment Program (EFAP) support these updates.

Our water planning science focuses on 8 key themes, all influenced by climate change and uncertainty. These themes are guided by the Water planning science plan and our story map.

  • A new hydrologic model for the Logan Basin has been constructed based on the flow simulation period from 1889 to 2017. This model simulates streamflow patterns and water availability and considers water requirements for cultural and environmental assets and a range of development scenarios for optimal catchment performance to inform EFOs and WASOs. It supports water management decisions by balancing the needs of competing uses.

  • Several environmental assessments were conducted during the development of the draft water plan, including:

    • Environmental risk assessment: examined the ecological outcomes of the current water plan and identified risks to key areas like riparian systems, estuarine habitats, and groundwater-dependent ecosystems.
    • Hydrological threats assessment: evaluated risks to ecological assets from current and future water use.
    • Environmental assessment report: reviewed the effectiveness of the current plan strategies and to provide recommendations for the draft plan, including updated environmental outcomes and performance indicators.

    The results of these studies were crucial in creating the outcomes and strategies to sustainably manage and allocate water while supporting environmental goals. These outcomes can be read in section 21 of the draft water plan.

  • The socio-economic assessment analysed demographic, social, and economic trends, highlighting growing water demands in the Logan Basin water plan area from a projected 12.6% population increase by 2041. It evaluated water needs for urban growth, agriculture, and tourism, as well as the socio-economic impact of the current plan. The findings helped shape strategies to balance requirements to support economic growth while protecting existing uses.

  • A cultural water assessment was undertaken for the draft water plan. It included:

    • information about cultural values gathered from consultation activities
    • a review of available, verified literature, including local culturally significant places and species
      and
    • analyses of submissions made during the preliminary consultation period.

    The draft water plan recognises the spiritual and cultural importance of water to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Proposed cultural outcomes are described in section 20 of the draft water plan.

    Read more about community connection to water.

  • The groundwater assessment focused on the hinterland areas of Tamborine Mountain and Springbrook, where moratoriums are currently in place. It explored groundwater-surface water connectivity, and the water demands of groundwater dependent ecosystems.

    Key recommendations included:

    • formalising management arrangements
    • creating underground water management areas (UGWMAs) to support these arrangements
    • increasing monitoring of underground water levels and extraction rates.

    These actions aim to protect groundwater resources, existing users and sensitive groundwater dependent ecosystems, while more information is gathered to inform future management decisions. The proposed management arrangements would not impose restrictions on bores for small scale agriculture/irrigation, or stock and domestic take.

    Read more about underground water management in the draft plan.

  • The climate change assessment examined the potential impacts on water availability, streamflow, and evaporation rates using 2030 and 2050 climate models. The findings highlight the need for adaptive strategies to address reduced rainfall, higher evaporation, and seasonal variability to ensure water security under changing conditions. Read more about climate resilience.

    By addressing these key issues, the draft Logan Basin water plan aims to balance ecological, cultural, and economic needs, ensuring sustainable water management for the plan area. Read more about how we are setting plan objectives.