Queensland Consolidated Acts

WATER ACT 2000 - SECT 60

(1) The Minister may prepare a water use plan for any part of Queensland if the Minister is satisfied there are risks that water use in a particular area of Queensland may cause negative effects on land and water resources, including, but not limited to, the following--

(a) rising underground water levels;

(b) increasing salinisation;

(c) deteriorating water quality;

(d) water logging of soils;

(e) destabilisation of bed and banks of watercourses;

(f) damage to riverine environment;

(g) increasing soil erosion.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), only 1 water use plan may have effect for the part at any time.

(3) Two plans may have effect for the same part of Queensland at the same time if--

(a) one of the plans applies to--

(i) artesian water; and

(ii) subartesian water connected to the artesian water; and

(iii) water in springs connected to the artesian water; and

(b) the other plan does not apply to water mentioned in paragraph (a).

(4) However, before preparing a water use plan, the Minister must prepare a draft water use plan.