Water facility agreements
Stock route water facility agreements are essentially contracts for accessing water from or supplying water to the stock route network. A new framework which applies to all water agreements over Queensland stock route water facilities has been in place since 1 July 2007.
- Background
- Stock route water agreements
- How to apply for a water facility agreement
- Water agreement fees
- Water agreement register
- Water agreement system
- Further information
Background
Stock route water facilities are established water points located along the stock route network, predominantly for use by travelling stock. Water facilities can be located on reserves for travelling stock, or on a road (road reserve) that has been declared a stock route under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 (PDF)*. Facilities include artesian and sub-artesian bores, dams and wells.
Where the capacity of a stock route water facility exceeds the needs of travelling stock, adjoining and adjacent landowners may apply to the local government to take a supply of water from the facility. If a landowner wishes to take a supply of water they must apply to their local government for a stock route water facility agreement.
Taking water from a stock route water facility without an agreement or without a permit is an offence under the Land Protection Act.
Stock route water agreements
Stock route water facility agreements have been used since the 1930s to secure water for rural landholders from stock route water facilities. They are contractual arrangements between a landowner, local government and the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM), outlining the conditions of supply and terms of use. Water agreements also outline specific arrangements including community and domestic usage as well as individual circumstances such as the landowner undertaking maintenance of the facility.
Water agreements can also be used to secure a supply of water for the stock route network from a private landowner.
The water facility agreement framework was reviewed in 2006 to update the format of water agreements and revise the method for calculating agreement fees. A new water agreement framework was developed, commencing 1 July 2007, including an electronic Water Agreement System for local government use and a new method for calculating water agreement fees (the area watered method).
How to apply for a water facility agreement
To apply for a water agreement, contact your local government. Applications will need to be accompanied by an Application for a stock route water facility agreement (PDF, 223K)* form and/or the following information:
- full name and contact addresses of all applicants
- the applicant’s ABN
- property description of all properties receiving a supply from the stock route facility
- the landowner will need to identify whether they intend to water stock at the stock route facility or pipe the water to their property (via an offtake connection)
- where the landowner is piping water to their property: the number, location and set up of the watering points distributing the stock route facility water. Where possible, global positioning system (GPS) coordinates should be used to ensure accuracy in determining the layout.
Water agreement fees
Water agreement fees apply to all stock route water facility agreements entered. Landowners must pay an annual fee to the local government and DERM when they receive a supply of water from the stock route network, while the local government and DERM pay fees to the landowner where a supply is taken for the stock route network.
Fees for stock watering purposes are calculated according to the area watered method, which uses the landowner’s unimproved capital valuation for their property and the area that will be watered from the stock route facility. Annual fees for domestic and community purposes are charged at a flat rate.
Water agreement register
Under the Land Protection Act (PDF)*, local governments are required to maintain a register of water agreements. The register has been included as a feature of the water agreement system used by local governments. The public can request a local government to search the register to obtain water agreement details including: the landowner’s name and address, the water agreement fee and who owns and maintains the water facility. A fee must be paid to search the register.
Water agreement system
An online water agreement system has been developed to assist local governments prepare water agreements and calculate annual fees. The system:
- creates stock route water agreements and as part of this process, calculates annual water agreement fees
- maintains a stock route water agreement database
- stores agreement details, landowner contacts and billing information
- generates periodic reports for annual billing schedules.
Local government can access the system from the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) website using their LGonline user accounts and passwords.
Further information
For more information the department has developed the following fact sheets:
- Stock route water facility agreements - L138 (PDF, 158K)*
- Stock route water facility agreement fees - L139 (PDF, 76K)*.
For further enquiries and requests for additional information
Alternatively enquiries can be directed to the regional stock route officer:
South West region - Roma office
Jim Herbert
Telephone: (07) 4624 1513
Email: Jim Herbert
Central West region - Longreach office
Peter Klem
Telephone: (07) 4650 1919
Email: Peter Klem
North region - Cairns office
Eloise Kippers
Telephone: (07) 4742 8202
Email: Eloise Kippers
* Requires Adobe Reader
Last reviewed 31 October 2011
Last updated 3 October 2006