South East Queensland region groundwaters environmental values and water quality objectives

The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (department) is seeking submissions on the consultation materials for the South East Queensland region groundwaters environmental values and water quality objectives.

Environmental values and water quality objectives approved under the Environmental Protection (Water and Wetland Biodiversity) Policy 2019 inform statutory decision-making under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 and inform relevant non-statutory environmental management decisions.

The consultation materials include the following documents:

There is also a summary document that provides an overview of the proposed Environmental Protection (Water and Wetland Biodiversity) Policy 2019 amendment for South East Queensland groundwaters.

The geographical scope of the SEQ groundwaters includes those underlying the Noosa River, Maroochy River, Pine Rivers, Brisbane River, Stradbroke Island, Logan and Albert Rivers, and South Coast rivers basins.

The Groundwater Report identifies the groundwater aquifer classes, with each aquifer class divided into multiple groundwater chemistry zones. Chemistry zone boundaries and environmental values are shown in the accompanying plans. The water quality percentiles for the key water quality indicators are shown for each chemistry zone. They inform the derivation of aquatic ecosystem water quality objectives.

The Groundwater Report has informed the environmental values and water quality objectives in the Draft Schedule 1 Document and plans for the South East Queensland groundwaters.

The final environmental values and water quality objectives for the SEQ groundwaters will be recommended for inclusion under Schedule 1 of the Environmental Protection (Water and Wetland Biodiversity) Policy 2019.

All submissions will be considered in the finalisation of the Groundwater Report, the Schedule 1 Document  and accompanying plans.

How to make a submission

Interested parties are invited to make a written submission within the consultation period which commences on Monday 30 October 2023 and concludes at the close-of-business on Friday 15 December 2023.

Please download the form provided in the following link to make a submission, noting the form includes suggested matters for consultation.

Written submissions on the consultation materials should be lodged using the submission form, by email evinfo@des.qld.gov.au, or mail to Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Healthy Waters and Wetlands Team, Level 27, 400 George Street, GPO Box 2454, Brisbane Qld 4001.

Please note that all submissions received by the department are public information and may be published in part or in full, unless it is requested that they remain confidential.

Further information

Please email all enquiries to evinfo@des.qld.gov.au.