Bulk water entities
The Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water is responsible for the management of Queensland’s water management and planning. The department has a governance, regulatory and oversight role for a number of state-owned water entities (i.e. commercial businesses) providing water supply services.
Water entities and water providers
The Queensland Government is responsible for a number of water entities that provide essential services to the community, including critical water supply infrastructure (e.g. dams and water treatment plants) and services to support consumer needs.
Water entities in Queensland (which are overseen by the department) include government-owned corporations, water authorities (Category 1 and Category 2) and statutory authorities.
Water providers in Queensland also include local governments and private providers.
Bulk water services
These bulk water entities are overseen by the department.
Queensland Bulk Water Supply Authority (trading as Seqwater) provides bulk water services for water service providers within South East Queensland.
SunWater, Gladstone Area Water Board and Mount Isa Water Board provide bulk water services, as well as bulk raw water transmission for water service providers and industry outside of SEQ (including agriculture in the case of SunWater).
Each water entity operates independently to government on a competitive, commercial basis.
Relationships with bulk water entities
The Minister for Water has responsibility under these acts:
- South East Queensland Water (Restructuring) Act 2007 for Seqwater (with the Treasurer)
- Government Owned Corporations Act 1993 for SunWater (with the Treasurer)
- Water Act 2000 for Mount Isa Water Board and Gladstone Area Water Board.
Note: The department's role in monitoring the performance of 2 of the bulk water entities (i.e. Seqwater and SunWater) is shared with Queensland Treasury.
Queensland Urban Utilities and Unitywater are statutory authorities that are controlled by local governments under the South-East Queensland Water (Distribution and Retail Restructuring) Act 2009.
The department is responsible for:
- monitoring and regulation of water service providers and referable dams.
- administering the process for appointments to Category 1 and Category 2 water authorities boards
- advising responsible and shareholding Ministers of critical current and emerging issues that may impact on government-owned businesses.
Other water responsibilities
Water is also the responsibility of these Queensland Government agencies.
- The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation is responsible for monitoring and protection of water environments.
- The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries is responsible for managing water resources for irrigation.
- Queensland Health co-regulates water quality with the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water to assure safe drinking water.
- The Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning is responsible for planning that enables responsible development and protection of natural resources.
Find out more
- Read more about water supply planning and water regulation.
- Learn about the role and responsibility of the local water boards.