The difference between a Water Allocation and a Water Licence
A Water Allocation and a Water Licence are both entitlements created under the Water Act 2000.
- Water Allocations are recorded on the water allocation register which is maintained by Titles Queensland. For more information on water allocations see Part 49 of the Land Title Practice Manual.
- Water Licences are a licence granted and managed by the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers (DLGWV). For more information on Water Licences, see the Queensland Government website.
What is a Water Allocation
A Water Allocation is an authority to take water, and an entitlement to a share of the available water resource in a catchment.
A water allocation has a title separate from a land title and can be bought and sold independently in a similar way to land. For more information on water allocations generally, see Part 49 of the Land Title Practice Manual.
To purchase a search of a water allocation title, go to the Searches page.
What is a Water Licence
A Water Licence authorises the holder of the licence to take or interfere with water. Water Licences are granted and managed by the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers (DLGWV).
It should be noted that there is no information on the land title about a Water Licence and there is no register of Water Licences held by Titles Queensland.
Generally, a Water Licence attaches to associated land parcels and can be affected by the transfer of ownership of the land. For information on how a change of ownership of land may impact a water licence contact the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers (DLGWV).
Water Entitlement Viewer
The Water Entitlement Viewer is an interactive mapping tool displaying information relating to water licences, water allocations, and unallocated water reserve volumes. The Water Entitlement Viewer is a simple online tool that can be used to identified water licences attaching to land parcels.