2025-26 Annual compliance plan

Our objectives

The return of compliance information plays a critical role in ensuring transparency, accountability and adherence to Queensland’s water management laws and policies.

By fostering a culture of compliance, we aim to support sustainable water use and safeguard vital resources for current and future generations.

Our activities

• Monitor the submission of key documents required from dam owners and water service providers to ensure compliance.
• Continue to provide guidance to the regulated community through education on new measurement requirements introduced in 2024, encourage timely submissions of meter readings via the online customer portal, and deliver targeted communications to support compliance with standards and timelines.
• Audit water bores under construction to improve the accuracy and quality of drill log data.

Our objectives

Enhancing our regulatory presence is essential to building trust, promoting compliance and ensuring the effective management of Queensland’s water resources. By delivering clear, consistent and proactive communication, we aim to set expectations, support the regulated community in meeting their obligations, and foster a shared commitment to sustainable water management.

Our activities

• Deliver compliance information, updates and outcomes through a variety of communication channels including websites, social media, letter and emails to ensure accessibility and transparency.
• Communicate clear and consistent regulatory expectations to the regulated community, including guidance on due dates and compliance requirements, to support timely and accurate submissions.
• Conduct regular and targeted communication and engagement activities with dam owners, water service providers, and the regulated community to strengthen relationships and promote compliance.
• Undertake proactive audits and ensure outcomes are communicated effectively to relevant stakeholders, fostering accountability and continuous improvement.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing: host workshops in key locations across Queensland to provide the regulated community with practical guidance and support on compliance obligations and best practices.
• Acknowledge and respond promptly to compliance-related complaints, ensuring informants are kept updated on investigation progress and outcomes.
• Deliver proactive communication on water bore driller requirements and standards, including participation in drilling conferences to drive improvements in drill lot quality and compliance.
• Provide clear and proactive communication on telemetry requirements, assisting stakeholders in meeting device installation deadlines.

Our objectives

Addressing non-compliant behaviour is critical to maintaining the integrity of Queensland’s water management framework. By proactively monitoring, detecting and responding to unauthorised activities we aim to uphold regulatory standards, deter future non-compliance and protect Queensland’s water resources for all users.

Our activities

• Respond to unauthorised and non-compliant behaviours from dam owners and implement targeted compliance actions for those with consistent non-compliance.
• Target high-risk entities: identify high-risk dam owners and water providers and implement focused compliance activities to address potential risks and ensure adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Review key submissions: assess amended drinking water quality management plans (DWQMPs) and rural water management plans (RWMPs) for compliance with the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008 and relevant guidelines.
• Monitor annual reporting: review annual reports and audits in a timely manner to ensure compliance with regulatory obligations.
• Address and escalate (if required) non-compliance in the following areas:
  • Unauthorised take and interference of water.
  • Validation and certification of measurement devices, with a focus on non-supply of meter reading.