Enhanced regulatory approach
We are reviewing existing regulatory frameworks to improve compliance and water measurement. When we find ways to improve, we make changes to the regulations and or the act.
The first phase of regulatory improvements from this review came into effect in 2019. These were changes to the Water Regulation 2016 and the Water Act 2000.
Water regulation amendments included enhanced water meter validation provisions and the requirement for water entitlement holders to report faulty meters.
Water Act changes:
- established a new offence for taking more water, or taking water at a greater rate, than authorised by the water entitlement
- increased the penalty for failure to comply with a water compliance notice
- clarified liability for entitlement holders sharing an unsupplemented water meter
- supported additional processes for ensuring unsupplemented water meter faults are identified and repaired.
Parliament passed another round of Water Act amendments in September 2023. These support the Queensland non-urban measurement policy (PDF, 2MB). These changes commenced on 22 July 2024, with complementary water regulation amendments that provide operational detail.
Projects
Current projects
| Project | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Regulatory changes to support implementation of the measurement and overland flow policies | 2021–2025 |
| Develop and publish communication materials and other resources to support authorisation holders to meet requirements under the strengthened measurement policy framework | From 2022 |
Completed projects
| Project | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Amend regulations to enhance faulty meter reporting and meter validation requirements | Completed February 2019 |
| Review legislation and policies to identify possible enhancements to water compliance arrangements | Completed 2019 |
More information
- Find out more about water metering in Queensland.
- Find out more about improved water measurement.
Last updated: 22 Jul 2024