With so much focus on the drought it is timely to consider land dealings that involve a water license.

Water licenses are granted under The Water Act 2000 (Qld). The Act permits a land owner to take and use water on their land or to interfere with the flow of water on, under or adjoining their land.

The Water Regulation 2016 prescribes how certain land dealings such as a sale, subdivision or boundary realignment will affect a water license.

When a parcel of land to which a water license is attached is sold the water license transfers to the new land owner. When there is a part disposal of the land the water license is said to be held jointly by all owners of the land to which the license is attached. When a license is held jointly, all owners assume shared responsibilities for payment of annual fees and meter readings.

More information on water licenses can be found at the following link.