Pioneer Valley, Fitzroy Basin, Boyne River Basin, Calliope River and Whitsunday water plans postponements of expiry

The endorsed summary impact analysis statement (IAS) (PDF, 772KB) was issued on 6 August 2025. It relates to postponing the expiry of six water plans and is published by the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers (DLGWV).

Proposal type

Regulatory proposals where no Regulatory Impact Analysis/Assessment is required.

Details

The Pioneer Valley, Burdekin Basin, Fitzroy Basin, Calliope River Basin, Boyne River Basin, and Whitsunday water plans will all expire by December 2026 and are all under review to be replaced. A Postponement of Expiry Notice, made under section 55 of the Water Act 2000 (the Water Act), has extended the expiry date to allow for enough time to review each plan. Each water plan is subordinate legislation under the Water Act 2000.

The extension of each water plan will maintain the short-term sustainable management arrangements for each region’s water resources. It will provide adequate time to complete the public consultation and technical assessments required to develop the replacement water plans.

If the expiry of each water plan was not postponed, it would result in the existing water plan provisions no longer having affect after each plan expires. Water management arrangements would revert to provisions of the Water Act. This would likely have a significant impact on social, cultural, economic and environmental values which rely on the water plan framework for the sustainable management of water resources in the water plan area.

Postponing the expiry date of the Pioneer Valley, Burdekin Basin, Fitzroy Basin, Calliope River Basin, Boyne River Basin, and Whitsunday water plans is an amendment that does not increase costs or the regulatory burden on business or the community and is not subject to Regulatory Impact Analysis under The Queensland Government Better Regulation Policy (2023).