Water Plan (Gold Coast) 2006

In dealing with unallocated water, the chief executive must consider—

the need for, and efficiency of, present and proposed uses of water including—

the extent to which water is being taken under authorisations in the plan area; and

emerging requirements for additional water, in and outside the plan area, and the likely timeframe in which the additional water will be required; and

alternative water sources including, for example, recycled water and water savings from improvements in the efficiency of water use; and

the availability of an alternative water supply for the purpose for which the water is required; and

the impact the proposed taking of or interfering with the water may have on the following—

water quality;

estuarine areas;

inundation of habitats;

the movement of fish and other aquatic species;

the natural movement of sediment;

recreation and aesthetic values;

cultural values, including, for example, cultural values of traditional owners of the area; and

whether the proposed taking of or interfering with, or the proposed use of, the water is likely to—

have a direct adverse effect on groundwater; or

lead to degradation of land, downstream watercourses or estuarine or marine waters; and

whether the proposed use of the water is consistent with—

the SEQ regional plan; and

any system operating plan applying to the plan area; and

any regional water security program for the SEQ region; and

whether the proposed taking of or interfering with, or the proposed use of, the water is consistent with the ecological outcomes mentioned in section 11; and

if the process in the resource operations plan for granting unallocated water includes a public auction, public ballot or public tender—the price offered under the process.

In considering the impact the proposed taking of or interfering with the water may have on water quality under subsection (1)(c)(i), the chief executive must have regard to the Environmental Protection (Water and Wetland Biodiversity) Policy 2019.

Subsection (1) does not limit the matters the chief executive may consider.