Queensland Consolidated Acts Queensland Consolidated Acts(1) The purpose of this chapter is to advance sustainable management and efficient use of water and other resources by establishing a system for the planning, allocation and use of water.
(2) For subsection (1), sustainable management is management that--
(a) allows for the allocation and use of water for the physical, economic and social well being of the people of Queensland and Australia within limits that can be sustained indefinitely; and
(b) protects the biological diversity and health of natural ecosystems; and
(c) contributes to the following--
(i) improving planning confidence of water users now and in the future regarding the availability and security of water entitlements;
(ii) the economic development of Queensland in accordance with the principles of ecologically sustainable development;
(iii) maintaining or improving the quality of naturally occurring water and other resources that benefit the natural resources of the State;
(iv) protecting water, watercourses, lakes, springs, aquifers, natural ecosystems and other resources from degradation and, if practicable, reversing degradation that has occurred;
(v) recognising the interests of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders and their connection with the landscape in water planning;
(vi) providing for the fair, orderly and efficient allocation of water to meet community needs;
(vii) increasing community understanding of the need to use and manage water in a sustainable and cost efficient way;
(viii) encouraging the community to take an active part in planning the allocation and management of water;
(ix) integrating, as far as practicable, the administration of this Act and other legislation dealing with natural resources.
(3) For subsection (1), efficient use of water--
(a) incorporates demand management measures that achieve permanent and reliable reductions in the demand for water; and
(b) promotes water conservation and appropriate water quality objectives for intended use of water; and
(c) promotes water recycling, including, for example, water reuse within a particular enterprise to gain the maximum benefit from available supply; and
(d) takes into consideration the volume and quality of water leaving a particular application or destination to ensure it is appropriate for the next application or destination, including, for example, release into the environment.