Australian Water Management Review Vol 2 2013 | Page 32

New QLD Licence Terms will Boost Water Management
Water management in Queensland is expected to receive a boost following a government announcement that water licence rules are being amended.
The Newman government revealed that licence holders will no longer be required to apply for a renewal, in what it described as “common-sense changes”. Minister for natural resources and mines Andrew Cripps said water licences had now all been extended to remove the need for renewal. “Previously, water licences were generally granted for a maximum period of either five, ten or 20 years, after which time the holder had to apply for the licence to be renewed,” he explained. However, providing an extension will ensure water users can grow their businesses without being bogged down in unnecessary bureaucracy and red tape. “This will give water users greater certainty while still achieving sustainable management of our water resources,” Mr. Cripps explained. He described the changes, which affect the Water Act 2000, as “significant”, adding that it builds on the government’s dedication to supporting economic pillars in the state and preventing regulatory burdens. The minister said the renewal system had been implemented to provide a chance for the government to reassess licences and enforce any changes. “However, water resource plans and resource operations plans, which now cover more than 90 per cent of the state, are the principal mechanisms for ensuring the sustainable management and allocation of water in Queensland,” he said. The new rules are going to impact up to 27,000 water licence holders across the state. Despite the amendments, the chance to strategically review water licences will not disappear, Mr. Cripps stated, as water resource plans and resource operations proposals will continue to be evaluated. His comments followed other water management policies announced by the Quee ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????$()????????????????????????????????????????????((?????????????????????????????????????((0