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Extracting riverine quarrying materials from lakes and watercourses
Before starting works to excavate quarry sand, gravel and other materials in watercourses and lakes, you will need to obtain the required authorisations and ensure you meet all associated requirements.
Once you have begun operations, you will be required to submit monthly reports of the amount of material taken and pay royalties (if applicable).
The requirements in this guide apply if you are planning to extract sand, gravel, rocks or soil from the non-tidal reaches of streams and freshwater natural lakes either:
- to be sold
- or
- used for a productive purpose, such as for manufacturing, roads, building or fill.
If you wish to remove material from a watercourse, lake or spring for other purposes (e.g. riverine restoration or rehabilitation), read our guide to riverine protection permits.
Authorisations to remove riverine quarry materials
To remove riverine quarry materials you will need to obtain both a:
- quarry material allocation
- development permit.
You must have received both these authorisations before beginning operations.
Depending on the circumstances, you may also need other authorisations, such as owner's consent and vegetation clearing permits. Check with your local government for any additional requirements.
Quarry material allocations
A quarry material allocation authorises you to extract a given volume of material from a specific location in a watercourse or lake. Quarry material allocations are granted for a maximum of 5 years. They can be renewed and transferred to another person.
Quarry operations plans
You may need to supply a quarry operations plan along with your application so that we can properly assess your request. Contact your local business centre before applying to confirm whether an operations plan is required.
How to apply
Complete the relevant application form and lodge your form by email. See our lodgement and payment options for further details.
How we assess applications
We will consider the impact the removal of the quarry material will have on the long-term sustainable use of the watercourse or lake, including the:
- physical integrity of the watercourse or lake, including bed and bank stability
- condition of the watercourse or lake, including its ability to function naturally
- supply of sediments to estuaries and the sea from the watercourse or lake
- quarry material available in the watercourse or lake and any existing quarry material allocations in relation to the watercourse or lake.
Development permits
The removal of quarry materials from a watercourse or lake is considered assessable development under state planning laws. You will need to apply for a development approval under State code 15: Removal of quarry material for a watercourse or lake.
Find out more about development applications and access the state code and guidance material.
Also consider...
- Find out how to obtain approval to clear native vegetation.
- Read about obtaining owner's consent for state land.
- Read about development assessment for water-related operational works.
Reporting and paying royalties for riverine quarry materials
Each month, you must advise us of the amount of quarry material, if any, that you have taken.
You may also need to pay royalties for any quarry material taken from state lands – watercourses and lakes not contained within a surveyed freehold land parcel are commonly state lands.
You must submit a monthly return even if you have taken no quarry material.
Concessional rates and exemptions
You are eligible for concessional rates if you remove material on behalf of a statutory body or local government. No royalties are payable if you remove material on behalf of a Queensland Government department.
In either case, you must obtain a certificate of royalty exemption from the statutory body, local government or state government department. Make sure you obtain a signed certificate, then upload it when you lodge your monthly return.
Lodging your monthly return and royalty payment
You can lodge your monthly return along with your royalty payment online.
Note: You can also lodge your monthly return using a hard-copy form. See our lodgement and payment options for further details.
Also consider...
- Find out how to obtain approval to clear native vegetation.
- Read about obtaining owner's consent for state land.
- Read about development assessment for water-related operational works.
Quarrying operations plan
You may need to provide an operations plan along with your application to extract riverine quarry material.
The Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water will determine if a plan is required and what information needs to be provided. Contact your local business centre before lodging your application for advice.
An operations plan is a combination of documents, sketches and drawings to explain:
- where the proposed extraction operation is to be located
- when it is to occur
- how it is to occur
- any impacts that may need to be managed
- follow-up rehabilitation required.
The type of information that may be required in an operations plan include:
- operational requirements (e.g. site access, site plan, volume and method of extraction)
- technical requirements (e.g. geomorphology and condition of the stream reach, sediment replenishment rate, hydraulic regime)
- impacts and how they will be managed (e.g. wastewater disposal, turbidity, noise, dust)
- proposed rehabilitation (e.g. timing, methods, revegetation, performance measures).
Also consider...
- Find out how to obtain approval to clear native vegetation.
- Read about obtaining owner's consent for state land.
- Read about development assessment for water-related operational works.
© The State of Queensland 1995–2024
- Last reviewed: 08 Sep 2021
- Last updated: 08 Sep 2021