2025-26 Annual compliance plan report

Outcomes

To deliver for Queensland in 2025-26, the department directed its efforts towards improving the quality, accuracy and timeliness of information provided by regulated entities. Reliable information underpins public health and safety, sustainable water resource management, confidence in water markets, and informed risk-based regulatory decisions.

• During the reporting period, 124 field audits were undertaken to assess compliance with Measurement Device Certificate (MDC) requirements and support strengthened confidence in the accuracy and reliability of water measurement data.
• As a result of regular monitoring and review 376 instances of non-compliance with meter read supply requirements were identified and addressed. The issuing of 291 advisory letters and 24 warning notices reinforced regulatory obligations and supported improved compliance by water users.
• Through ongoing monitoring and verification of Emergency Action Plan (EAP) submissions, the department confirmed critical emergency management information and ensured compliance with statutory dam safety reporting requirements.
• Ongoing monitoring of Failure Impact Assessment (FIS) submissions ensured that required dam safety risk information was provided in a timely manner which strengthened confidence in the department’s regulatory oversight.
• The department reviewed annual reports, Recycled Water Management Plans (RWMPs) and Drinking Water Quality Management Plans (DWQMPs) submitted by high-risk service providers to assess emerging compliance issues and support the safe and effective delivery of water services.
• The department’s oversight of drinking water annual reporting provided critical data to identify compliance risks, inform regulatory priorities and target regulatory effort, supporting the safe and reliable delivery of drinking water.
• Through 41 bore audits conducted across Queensland, including 7 Great Artesian Basin and Other Regional Aquifers (GABORA) and 34 non-GABORA audits, compliance with bore construction requirements was assessed. This work supported the sustainable management of groundwater resources and reinforced stakeholder confidence in the department’s compliance and enforcement activities.
• Identified risks associated with seven bore drilling activities were addressed through compliance action, reinforcing compliance with bore construction requirements and ensuring a proportionate response to non-compliance.
• Compliance with statutory quarry reporting requirements was monitored through 51 quarry returns audits, enabling the identification of reporting issues and targeted regulatory response where required.
• Four drinking water regulation workshops were delivered to build industry understanding of regulatory requirements and encourage proactive compliance across Queensland's drinking water sector.
• The department issued reminder letters to dam owners to promote timely fulfilment of statutory reporting obligations, reinforcing accountability and supporting effective monitoring of dam safety requirements.

Regulatory insight

The integrity of Queensland's water management framework depends on accurate measurement and reporting of water take. Annual meter readings provide critical information that supports compliance oversight, informed decision-making and public confidence in the sustainable management of water resources.

Outcomes

During 2025–26, the department delivered targeted regulatory activities to strengthen its visibility and engagement across the regulated community. These activities leveraged direct interactions, regulatory communications and established channels to promote compliance awareness, enhance understanding of regulatory obligations, and build confidence in the department’s regulatory functions.

Compliance activities and actions

To promote compliance awareness and enhance understanding of regulatory obligations

• 30 compliance support visits to service providers increased regulator visibility and engagement, providing opportunities to review compliance practices and records while improving understanding of regulatory requirements across the sector.
• 46 Emergency Action Plan (EAP) reminder letters were issued to reinforce awareness of statutory reporting obligations and support timely compliance with EAP reporting requirements.
• Follow-up engagement with all referable dam owners strengthened regulatory relationships, reinforced regulatory expectations, and supported the safe and effective management of referable dams.

Media and digital communications

To strengthen public understanding of the regulator’s role and support stakeholder awareness of regulatory obligations, the department published

• 56 social media posts
• four regulatory newsletters
• 28 Water Supply Regulation posts and
• Seven eAlerts

to provide stakeholders with timely updates on regulatory matters, obligations and key deadlines supporting preparedness for regulatory change and encouraging proactive compliance.

These communications also enhanced regulator visibility and transparency, helping stakeholders understand the department’s role and regulatory priorities.

Stakeholder engagement

The department strengthened partnerships through engagement by

• Delivering a targeted industry workshop in Rockhampton which strengthened engagement with water bore drillers, increased awareness of compliance obligations and regulatory standards, and promoted sustainable drilling practices through practical training on bore log reporting and remediation of non-compliant bores.
• Hosting four workshops provided a practical forum for education, knowledge sharing and discussion.
• Direct engagement with all Drinking Water Service Providers (DWSPs) supported two-way communication, the early identification and resolution of emerging issues, and collaborative relationships between the regulator and providers.
• Hosting twelve stakeholder meetings facilitated information sharing and discussion of key priorities, issues and challenges.
• A targeted measurement campaign raised awareness of telemetry requirements and available support programs, communicated key regulatory messages, and improved understanding of compliance obligations.

Regulatory insight

During 2025-26, the department strengthened its regulatory presence. A visible and accessible regulator helps build trust in the regulatory framework. Through activities such as stakeholder workshops, industry engagement, site visits and digital communications , the department provides clear information, creates opportunities for two-way communication, and supports stakeholders to understand their obligations. This promotes transparency, encourages voluntary compliance and strengthens confidence in regulatory decision-making.

Outcomes

Ongoing investment in intelligence gathering, data analytics and detection capabilities continue to improve the department’s ability to identify emerging risks, understand patterns of non-compliance and target regulatory effort where it is most needed.  During 2025–26, this intelligence informed a proactive and risk-based approach to compliance. The following spotlights demonstrate how intelligence and regulatory activities were used to address compliance issues, influence behaviour and manage regulatory risk.

• Strengthened oversight of bore construction through 34 proactive audits (including seven within the Great Artesian Basin and Other Regional Aquifers area (GABORA), enabling timely responses to seven identified instances of potential non-compliance.
• Reinforced dam owner accountability and regulatory oversight of dam safety obligations through targeted follow-up of overdue Emergency Action Plan (EAP) submissions.
• Issued 14 warning letters to non-compliant dam owners, reinforcing regulatory expectations and supporting the safe management of referable dams.
• Improved confidence in the accuracy and reliability of water measurement data through 127 proactive audits of measurement devices. Eight faulty meters were identified and rectified, supporting informed water management and regulatory decision-making.
• Strengthened detection and response capability through the investigation of 33 third-party allegations of unauthorised water take, with action taken on 32 matters.
• Improved compliance with incident notification requirements by investigating failures to immediately notify prescribed incidents and undertaking targeted education activities to reinforce reporting obligations among water service providers.
• 35 Water Bores were required to be remediated by licensed drillers under Compliance Notices issued by the department when construction standards, identified by an audit, were found to be non-compliant.
• Supported regulatory assurance for bore drilling activities through oversight of bore drilling reporting obligations, including follow-up action on 49 late drill log submissions.
• Enhanced compliance monitoring of unauthorised construction and excavation activities through assessment of 14 third-party notifications, enabling targeted responses to 18 identified instances of non-compliance.
• Protected water resources through the investigation of interference activities, responding to 34 third-party notifications, with 28 matters requiring further investigation to address potential non-compliance

Regulatory insight

The department's successful prosecution of a licensed water bore driller demonstrated that serious non-compliance with Queensland's water laws has consequences. By identifying, investigating and prosecuting conduct that threatened the integrity of groundwater resources, the department reinforced industry expectations, protected the public interest and sent a clear message that non-compliant behaviour will attract appropriate enforcement action.