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Development assessment for water-related operational works
Queensland's Planning Act 2016 sets out how development proposals are made and assessed. The table below shows the assessment categories and their requirements for water-related operational works.
Determining the assessment category
To determine which assessment category applies to your work, you should check:
- the Water Regulation 2016
- your catchment's water plan and any applicable moratorium notices.
If you need help to determine the assessment category for your water-related operational works, contact your local business centre of the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water.
Development type | Assessment requirements | Notes |
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Assessable development |
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Accepted development – with requirements |
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Accepted development – without requirements |
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Assessable development
Assessable development requires a development permit and approval from the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA).
You must also apply to SARA if you want to extend, change or cancel a development permit.
- Find out if your planned development is considered assessable development.
Assessment criteria
The benchmarks against which developments are assessed can be found in the State Development Assessment Provisions (SDAP). The codes relating to water developments are available as separate documents below.
Ensure your application addresses each of the performance criteria in the applicable code to avoid delays.
Taking or interfering with water – State code 10
This code covers the assessable development of works for taking or interfering with water. This includes works that:
- take or interfere with water in a watercourse, lake or spring
- take or interfere with underground water
- take overland flow, where applicable.
For help preparing a development application that meets the requirements of this code, refer to State code 10 of the current SDAP version and associated guidance material.
Removal of quarry material – State code 15
This code covers assessable development of works for the removal of quarry material from watercourses or lakes. For help preparing a development application that meets the requirements of this code, refer to State code 15 of the current SDAP version and associated guidance material.
Category 2 and 3 levees
Works related to Category 2 and 3 levees are considered assessable development. For more information about assessment requirements, read about constructing and modifying levee banks.
How to apply
Application forms are available from the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning (DSDILGP). You will need to use DA Form 1 (Development Application).
SARA provides the single agency lodgement and assessment point for applications.
DSDILGP coordinates the integrated assessment through SARA. Technical agencies, for example the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water, provide SARA with technical advice on whether the application complies with the relevant state code.
Who to contact
For more information about assessable development, contact DSDILGP.
Also consider...
- Read about state planning laws.
- Find out more about which overland flow works require certification.
- Read about bore construction standards and licensing requirements.
- Find out more about constructing and modifying levee banks.
Accepted development – with requirements
These works do not require a development permit. You do not need anything in writing before starting the activity, provided you have carried out a self-assessment to ensure you comply with the relevant accepted development requirements.
Notification requirements
The owner of land on which the works are constructed must notify us of the works within 60 business days of completion. Notification requirements are outlined in the relevant accepted development documents.
Overland flow
For operational works to take overland flow water that are identified as accepted development in the Water Regulation 2016, the following requirements apply.
Stock or domestic purposes and limited capacity works
Constructing works to take overland flow water for stock or domestic purposes, or works that have a limited capacity can be accepted development. Works must comply with the accepted development requirements.
Limited capacity works only apply in certain water plan areas as specified in the Water Regulation 2016.
Overland flow storage with a greater capacity than outlined in the Water Regulation 2016 is assessable development and requires a development permit.
Carrying out an environmentally relevant activity
Works undertaken to satisfy the requirements of an environmental authority or a development permit for carrying out an environmentally relevant activity can be accepted development. Works must comply with the accepted development requirements.
Underground water – subartesian bores
The construction of some subartesian bores, or the replacement of authorised subartesian bores can be accepted development. Works must comply with the accepted development requirements.
Levee banks
Works related to Category 1 levees can be acceptable development. Works must comply with the accepted development requirements.
For more information about their construction, modification and assessment, read about constructing and modifying levee banks.
Also consider...
- Read about state planning laws.
- Find out more about the management of overland flow.
- Read about bore construction standards and licensing requirements.
- Find out more about constructing and modifying levee banks.
Accepted development – without requirements
This type of development does not require an application under state planning laws, but you may need an authority to take or interfere with water.
Watercourse water
Works to take watercourse water where there are no requirements may include:
- like-for-like replacement of pumps – this causes minimal additional disturbance because much of the required infrastructure, such as pipes and concrete stands, is already in place
- installation of new pumps where the water entitlement is managed under a resource operations licence or interim resource operations licence – these are usually clearly specified with conditions such as a rate of take or daily/weekly/monthly water extraction limit
- infrastructure associated with taking water for certain low-risk activities under the Water Act 2000.
Underground water
Works to take underground water where there are no requirements may include:
- replacement bores within 10 metres of the original bore
- monitoring bores
- water bores for determining the sustainable extraction rate of water for an aquifer
- water bores for taking underground water for stock and domestic purposes
- water bores for taking subartesian water for a purpose other than stock and domestic use, that are not constructed within a setback distance defined in the Water Regulation 2016.
Who to contact
For more information about works that are accepted development, contact your local business centre for the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water.
Also consider...
- Read about state planning laws.
- Find out more about the management of overland flow.
- Read about bore construction standards and licensing requirements.
- Find out more about constructing and modifying levee banks.
© The State of Queensland 1995–2024
- Last reviewed: 08 Sep 2021
- Last updated: 08 Sep 2021