Seasonal water assignments in the Logan Basin water plan area

Seasonal water assignments (SWA) have been introduced to allow for the temporary trading of water within the same subcatchment. SWA rules are outlined in the draft water management protocol (PDF, 657KB). These have been designed to provide flexibility and satisfy short term water demands, while protecting access for other water users and the environment.

The draft Logan Basin water plan (PDF, 1.3MB) addresses the limited flexibility for water licence holders to adapt to changing water demands and plan for agricultural expansion. While the conversion of unsupplemented water licences to tradeable allocations is not proposed due to limited stakeholder support and insufficient data, the plan introduces SWAs to improve water trading flexibility while ensuring sustainable water use.

Key provisions

  • Temporary transfer: SWAs allow unused water to be temporarily transferred within the same sub-catchment.
  • Rules and requirements:
    • Transfers are limited to the unused entitlement volume of the assignor and are valid for the remainder of the water year (1 July–30 June).
    • Assignments are restricted to the same sub-catchment area subject to rules in the water management protocol; inter-catchment transfers are not permitted.
    • Prescribed volume limits apply (e.g. up to 12ML per transaction per water year), except for transfers between contiguous land parcels.
    • Both assignor and assignee must have metered works in compliance with the Queensland Non-Urban Water Measurement Policy.
    • The Chief Executive may impose conditions on SWA approvals.

Impacts and benefits

  • Flexibility and efficiency: SWAs provide water users with greater flexibility to manage water needs during variable availability, supporting economic growth and modern water management practices.
  • Sustainability: the provisions ensure water use aligns with environmental and operational conditions, protecting the basin’s resources.
  • Limitations: Unmetered entitlements are excluded, potentially limiting participation for some licence holders.

The inclusion of SWAs addresses stakeholder concerns about rigid water-sharing rules and supports sustainable water use, economic activities, and adaptation to challenges like climate change and increased water demand.