Interstate water trading
If you are in the Border Rivers catchment, you may be able to trade water across the Queensland–New South Wales (NSW) border.
Regardless of where the water authorisation is being trade, the details of the water authorisation will remain registered in the state where it originates. As the water user, you must comply with the terms, conditions and management rules of the relevant authority for which the trade originates.
Terminology
Before you trade interstate, familiarise yourself with the water market terms used in Queensland and NSW.
| Queensland | New South Wales |
|---|---|
| Water allocation | Water access licence |
| Announced allocation | Available water determination |
| Lease | Term transfer |
| Amalgamation | Consolidation |
| Water allocations register | Water access licence register |
| Titles Queensland | Land Titles Office |
| Supplemented water | Regulated water |
| Unsupplemented water | Supplementary water |
| Seasonal water assignment | Water allocation assignment |
| Announced allocation percentage | Available water determination |
| Operations manual | Water sharing plan |
| Water account | Water allocation account |
| Priority group | Category |
How to trade interstate
Interstate trade refers to the process of trading water authorisations between parties in Queensland and NSW.
Step 1: Confirm you can trade interstate
In Queensland, you can only trade water authorisations interstate if:
- you hold either a water allocation or a water licence
- you are in the Border Rivers catchment
- your activity is a type allowed in the New South Wales and Queensland Border Rivers Intergovernmental Agreement 2008
- your interstate trade will comply with the rules of the state of origin.
Step 2: Understand the requirements
Before you can trade your water authorisation interstate, ensure you understand any additional requirements.
-
If you are temporarily selling your water authorisation that is:
- supplemented: your buyer is responsible for obtaining all required approvals.
- unsupplemented: you and your buyer must be in agreement and have a private contract in place. Both parties must contact us and provide all necessary information, including
- details of the authorisation
- the portion of unused volume to be assigned to the buyer
- relevant details of the works for taking water in NSW.
-
If you buy a water authorisation from NSW to use in Queensland, you must comply with the rules and requirements in NSW and seek relevant approval for the trade.
Contact WaterNSW for more information.
Works (e.g. pumps) for taking water must be authorised by the relevant authority of the state.
Step 3: Follow the steps to trade
If you are selling water from Queensland to NSW, follow the steps to sell your:
- water allocation permanently, temporarily or by leasing
- water licence temporarily.
If you are buying water from NSW, contact WaterNSW.
The Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers does not provide legal advice. If you are unsure of your legal obligations, contact a solicitor or legal adviser.