Water bores
In Queensland, all water bores deeper than 6 metres, including monitoring bores, must be constructed by, or under the supervision of, a licensed water bore driller who has the correct endorsements on their licence for the type of activity being performed, including:
• drilling, deepening, enlarging or casing a bore
• removing, replacing, altering, or repairing the casing, lining or screen of a bore
• decommissioning an abandoned water bore.
Poorly managed bores pose a risk to underground water resources, and poor bore construction and decommissioning practices have caused contamination and loss of pressure in many aquifers.
- List of registered water bore drillers (PDF, 38K)*
Putting down a bore
Before considering putting down a bore, you should contact your nearest departmental business centre for information on the licensing and construction requirements for underground water in your area.
Information the department will want to know includes:
- what you want to use the water from the bore for
- if you have a current licence to take groundwater
- details of your licence
- the lot on plan number or the rural road address of the property on which you want to sink the bore.
Laws relating to bore drilling
In Queensland , the department manages access to and use of underground water.
- The right to take underground water is either established under the Water Act 2000 (Qld) or granted under a 'licence' or 'water allocation'. The drillers’ licensing arrangements of the Act ensure that all water bore drillers are properly skilled and that their work meets minimum standards.
- The right to construct works to take the water is subject to the provisions of the Integrated Planning Act 1997. Under this Act you often require a 'development permit', which can contain construction specifications, before you can sink a water bore.
- Under the Environmental Protection Act 1994, all people have a duty to take reasonable and practicable measures to prevent or minimise the environmental harm resulting from their actions. This general environmental duty applies to all drilling activities. The Environmental Protection Agency may also impose specific requirements on drilling activities through development permit conditions, environmental authorities, or environmental protection orders.
Further information
* Requires Acrobat Reader
Last updated: 10 June 2009