Australian Natural Resources Atlas

Natural Resource Topics

Water resources - Allocation and Use - Queensland

Location Map

Queensland

How has Queensland's water use changed since 1985?

Comparison between the 1985 and 2000 'snapshot' assessments is difficult. Factors include the time between assessments (more than 15 years); seasonality and variability of climate; significant potential for changes in land use; and fluctuations in domestic and global market demands.

Water Use, Climate and the Audit Baseline Year - 1996/97

The baseline year for the Audit is the 1996/97 agricultural year starting on the 1st April and ending on 31st of March. For water use the data was compiled for the period 1 July 1996 to 30 June 1997 (water calendar year). When it is necessary to collect information for more than one year, the data collected must cover that year or, alternatively, appropriately adjusted to provide a best estimate for that year.

For water use data States and Territories were requested to provide a 5 yearly average value based on the 1996/97 year. Use figures were adjusted in areas where, due to climatic conditions, the water use was not considered to be 'average'.

Climate in 1996/97

During 1996 there was a transition from the weak large-scale climate controls to a strong El Ni?o condition after March 1997. This resulted in a drying over a large part of southern and eastern Australia. From July until September 1996 Victoria had unusually cold and wet weather. The remainder of the southern half of Australia was also wet for three months. Significant areas in south-west Queensland, western and central New South Wales, South Australia, western Victoria, and southern Western Australia had rainfall totals within the highest 10% on record.

During the summer of 1996-97, there was a very active monsoonal season in the tropical zones in western Australia and the Northern Territory. However, this finished abruptly and early, as El Ni?o developed rapidly in autumn 1997. From October 1996 very dry conditions prevailed over most of Victoria, the grain belts of South Australia and north-east Tasmania. Areas of southern Victoria through to south-east South Australia had the driest October to June period on record.

May 1997 brought rain to southern Australia and average to above average rain to parts of Queensland. There was some relief to farmers from the dry and hot conditions over southern Australia in early 1997. In parts of southern Victoria and south-east South Australia the driest October to June period was reported. (ABS Water Account, 2000)

Climate in 1983/84 (Water Review 85)

Water use in any particular year is affected by weather conditions. For much of Australia, the period, July 1983 to June 1984, was equivalent to a normal year in which water use was about average. In south-east Australia, however, abnormal weather patterns were experienced. In general, rainfall totals throughout Victoria were high during the first half of the year but were lower than average in the second half. These weather conditions, along with a continuing sensitivity to water use following the 1982/83 drought, had a marked effect on water usage. Although the 1982/83 drought that affected most of Victoria was broken by above-average rains early in the year, water restrictions in many urban areas were not lifted until much later in the year. Urban water use was therefore less than average, due both to the heavy rains and to the continuance of water restrictions.

The above-average rains in the first half of 1983-84 greatly reduced irrigation demands, and by mid-season virtually unrestricted supplies of water were made available to farmers (for example, 200% of water rights in the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation District). The drier conditions in the latter half of the year somewhat compensated for this, but total usage for the year was generally far less than average.

Rural usage was also less than average, again due to the early wet conditions and sensitivity about excessive water use following the 1982-83 drought. (DPIE, 1987).

Map of change in total water since 1985

Note: The change in water use volume from 1985 to 1996 does not always reflect factors affecting consumption patterns and volumes such as population growth, industry or land-use change or operational improvements. The observed difference may partly be attributed to differences in the approach and assumptions used to estimate water use within the river basin.

Chart of Proportion of total water use by consumptive classes
Basin NameUse in 1983-84 (GL /yr)Use in 1996-97 (GL /yr)% Change
QLD1,247 2,970 138
Archer River no data1no data
Baffle Creek 5867
Barron River 958615
Black River 213760
Border Rivers 77290278
Boyne River 1944131
Brisbane River 57244332
Burdekin River 80585636
Burnett River 74228208
Burrum River 152250
Calliope River 3429
Coleman River 10-100
Condamine-Culgoa Rivers 56515833
Curtis Island 00no data
Daintree River 2264
Don River 410181
Ducie River no data1no data
Embley River no data0no data
Endeavour River no data2no data
Fitzroy River (Qld) 16128980
Flinders River 38199
Fraser Island 00no data
Gilbert River no data7no data
Haughton River 1715-11
Herbert River 1650213
Hinchinbrook Island 01no data
Holroyd River no data0no data
Jacky Jacky Creek 10-100
Jardine River no data1no data
Jeannie River no data1no data
Johnstone River 101111
Kolan River 1939112
Leichhardt River 2321-7
Lockhart River no data0no data
Logan-Albert River 385544
Maroochy River 193381
Mary River (Qld) 438190
Mitchell River (WA) 56560
Moonie River 12152
Morning Inlet no data0no data
Mornington Island no data1no data
Mossman River 24141
Mulgrave-Russell River 2910-65
Murray River (Qld) 32-43
Nicholson River no data2no data
Noosa River 534682
Norman River 42-66
Normanby River no data2no data
OConnell River 217835
Olive / Pascoe Rivers no data0no data
Paroo River 31-90
Pine River 3672103
Pioneer River 132155
Plane Creek 1339197
Proserpine River 12221,284
Ross River 354734
Settlement Creek 31-100
Shoalwater Creek 10-100
South Coast 2448102
Staaten River no data0no data
Stewart River no data0no data
Stradbroke Island 1324,780
Styx River 12437
Torres Strait Islands no data2no data
Tully River 52-69
Warrego River 31134,067
Water Park Creek 314376
Watson River no data0no data
Wenlock River no data0no data
Whitsunday Island 11-78

Note: The total surface water use reported for each river basin does not include the water consumption of the eleven major cities. The data for cities and river basins are reported in the State totals.

How are the surface water resources used and allocated in Queensland?

Chart of Proportion of surface water use by consumptive classes

Table: Surface water diversion and allocation 1996-97

Basin/SWMA NameAllocation (GL/yr)Diversion (GL/yr)Diversion: Allocation (%)
Queensland3,2022,9700
Albert River 1616100
Archer River 11100
Baffle Creek 88100
Balonne / Condamine 5372
Barker / Barambah 412971
Barratta 1212100
Barron River 17410460
Belyando / Suttor 7979100
Black River 1313100
Bokhara River - Distributary Area (Qld) 21096,578
Bowen / Broken 341748
Boyne 483778
Boyne River 595898
Brisbane River 222231104
Bulloo River (Qld) 11100
Bundaberg Irrigation Area 1639055
Burdekin River 59249483
Burrum River 14746
Callide 8890
Calliope River 44100
Cooper Creek (Qld) 77100
Daintree River 22100
Dawson River 725577
Diamantina River (Qld) 11100
Don River 77100
Ducie River 11100
Elliott 8794
Endeavour River 22100
Fitzroy River (Qld) 846375
Flinders River 88100
Georgina River (Qld) 11100
Gilbert River 77100
Gregory 88100
Haughton River 1168
Herbert River 5050100
Hinchinbrook Island 11106
Horne Island 22100
Isis 2281
Jardine River 11100
Jeannie River 11100
Johnstone River 1111100
Kolan River 928592
Leichhardt River 392154
Lockyer River 141389
Logan River 473983
Macintyre / Dumaresq Rivers 8690105
Macintyre Brook 18527
Maranoa 11100
Maroochy River 1515102
Mary River (Qld) 17312874
Mitchell River (WA) 1010100
Moonie River (Qld) 22100
Mornington Island 11100
Mossman River 44100
Mulgrave River 99100
Murray River (Qld) 22100
Nicholson River (Qld) 22100
Nogoa / Mackenzie 22714966
Noosa River 55100
Norman River 22100
Normanby River 22100
O'Connell River 1616100
Paroo River (Qld) 11100
Pine River 6072120
Pioneer River 2447201
Plane Creek 521324
Proserpine River 612642
Ross River 504794
Russell River 22100
South Coast 4848100
St George 78202260
Stradbroke Island 3232100
Styx River 22100
Three Moon Creek 22101
Tully River 22100
Upper Burnett River 282588
Upper Condamine River 2692359
Wallum / Nebine / Mungallala (Qld) 110110100
Warrego River (Qld) 113113100
Water Park Creek 1414100
Whitsunday Island 11100

Note: Allocation is not based on 1999-2000 estimates; Diversion based on five-yearly average 1996-97.

Note: In the table above, the total surface water use reported for each river basin does not include the water consumption of the eleven major cities. The data for cities are reported in the State totals. The volume diverted is the total volume of the SWMA's surface water resources diverted for use both within the management area and for export to other management area.


The volume of water allocated for use in Queensland is 3,072 GL annually. In addition to this considerable water is extracted by water harvesting.

Allocations are generally made in three ways.

Water use on regulated streams and for some water harvesting is metered. All other water use and allocations have been estimated.

Some major water users have their allocations defined by an Order in Council or a Government Act.

The major water users in the State are on rivers flowing to the eastern coast. There is considerable water use in the Condamine and Border Rivers Basins, which flow into the Murray Darling Division. The State Government has developed a number of major irrigation areas throughout the State.

Although there is a high mean annual flow into the Gulf of Carpentaria, there is very little use due to the isolation of this region.

Please note: The tables set out below detailing Level 1 and Level 2 water use categories. The sum of the Level 2 water use volumes will not necessarily equal the total Level 1 water use volumes. This is primarily due to lack of more detailed water use data. However, where Level 2 use = Level 1 use then blank cells in the table does not indicate water use unaccounted for in these categories. 

Map of total surface water use in 1996

Table: Surface water use in Queensland 1996-97

Basin/SWMA NameIrrigation (GL/yr)Rural (GL/yr)Urban / Industrial (GL/yr)Total (GL/yr)In-situ (GL/yr)
Queensland2,163207882,97026
Albert River 15no data216no data
Archer River 1no data11no data
Baffle Creek 8118no data
Balonne / Condamine 3no data13no data
Barker / Barambah 27no data229no data
Barratta 12no datano data12no data
Barron River 452135826
Belyando / Suttor 791684no data
Black River 81513no data
Bokhara River - Distributary Area (Qld) 10811109no data
Bowen / Broken 91311no data
Boyne 1012737no data
Boyne River 2no data4344no data
Brisbane River 15no data217231no data
Bulloo River (Qld) 1111no data
Bundaberg Irrigation Area 12845136no data
Burdekin River 48318491no data
Burrum River 1no data67no data
Callide 4no data2023no data
Calliope River 4114no data
Cooper Creek (Qld) 6no data27no data
Daintree River 2112no data
Dawson River 54no data155no data
Diamantina River (Qld) no data1no data1no data
Don River 52410no data
Ducie River no datano data11no data
Elliott 7no datano data7no data
Endeavour River 1122no data
Fitzroy River (Qld) 2314163no data
Flinders River 7no data18no data
Georgina River (Qld) 1no data11no data
Gilbert River 2no data57no data
Gregory 8no data18no data
Haughton River 4no data14no data
Herbert River 462250no data
Hinchinbrook Island no datano data11no data
Isis 21no data2no data
Jardine River 1no datano data1no data
Jeannie River no data1no data1no data
Johnstone River 111111no data
Kolan River 39no data139no data
Leichhardt River 212021no data
Lockyer River 13no datano data13no data
Logan River 2311739no data
Macintyre / Dumaresq Rivers 881290no data
Macintyre Brook 5115no data
Maranoa 1no datano data1no data
Maroochy River 712633no data
Mary River (Qld) 6212081no data
Mitchell River (WA) 551156no data
Moonie River (Qld) 1112no data
Mornington Island no datano data11no data
Mossman River 4no data14no data
Mulgrave River no datano data99no data
Murray River (Qld) 1no data22no data
Nicholson River (Qld) 1112no data
Nogoa / Mackenzie 132116149no data
Noosa River 513034no data
Norman River 1no data22no data
Normanby River 21no data2no data
O'Connell River 151117no data
Paroo River (Qld) 1111no data
Pine River 426772no data
Pioneer River 911221no data
Plane Creek 38no data139no data
Proserpine River 19no data322no data
Ross River 114647no data
Russell River no datano data22no data
South Coast no datano data4848no data
St George 201no data2202no data
Stradbroke Island no datano data3232no data
Styx River 2no data12no data
Three Moon Creek 2no data12no data
Thursday Island no datano data22no data
Tully River no data122no data
Upper Burnett River 23no data225no data
Upper Condamine River 91no data292no data
Wallum / Nebine / Mungallala (Qld) 110no data1110no data
Warrego River (Qld) 10842113no data
Water Park Creek 2no data1214no data
Whitsunday Island no datano data11no data
Map of surface water use for irrigation in 1996 Map of areas where surface water allocation is greater than sustainable yield

How are Queensland's groundwater resources used and allocated?

Current use data for the Queensland groundwater resource indicates that 14% of GMUs have category 1 abstraction status. Those with moderate abstraction levels account for 12% and those with category 3 and 4 abstraction status represent 22% and 33% of GMUs respectively. The remaining 19% of GMUs are without current use data. 

"GMU"=Groundwater Management Unit "UA"=Unallocated Area

Province Use in 1983-84 (GL /yr)Use in 1996-97 (GL /yr) % changeCurrent Alloc (GL/yr)Current Use : Alloc (%)GMU / UA
Queensland1,195 1,623 36 no datano dataGMU
no datano dataUA
Arunta 174576GMU
30UA
Clarence-Morton 11489478121GMU
91UA
Coen 0no datano datano datano dataGMU
0no dataUA
Georgina no data59no datano datano dataGMU
91UA
Great Artesian no data8188181,01781GMU
no datano dataUA
Laura 1no datano datano datano dataGMU
0no dataUA
Mcarthur no data21111285GMU
21UA
New England 1673410035GMU
460UA
Tasman 1891606435140GMU
0no dataUA
Map of total groundwater use in 1996 by province Map of groundwater allocated volume Chart of total groundwater use by use class

Table: Groundwater use in Queensland 1996-97

ProvinceIrrigation (GL/yr)Rural (GL/yr)Urban / industry (GL/yr)In-situ (GL/yr)Total (GL/yr)SY (GL/yr)
Queensland817542 265 no data1,623 2,642
Arunta 4317159
Clarence-Morton 973221148807
Coen no datano datano data0no data
Georgina no data392159172
Great Artesian 116572131818735
Laura no datano datano data0no data
Mcarthur 0219212,361
Mt Isa-Cloncurry no datano datano data0no data
New England 28534671,979
Tasman 693781218911,980
Map of groundwater use for irrigation in 1996 by groundwater province

Surface and groundwater interactions

Potential for joint groundwater and surface water use in Queensland required that there be known or estimated use of both groundwater and surface water within an SWMA. Overlapping groundwater and surface water use data was identified in 85 of 99 Queensland SWMAs which contain, or partially contain, one or more Groundwater Management Unit's. As each of these has overlap of Surface Water and Groundwater Management Areas/Units it is considered that they each possess potential for joint use.

Significant groundwater recharge works have been installed on Cressbrook Creek (SWMA143.A), Lockyer Creek and tributaries (SWMA 143.B), Three Moon Creek (SWMA 136.D), Lower Burdekin (SWMA 120.A) and Callide Creek (SWMA 130.D).

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