The scope of the information presented in the South East Queensland (SEQ) region report is based on agreements between the Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM), the Bureau of Meteorology (the Bureau) and the Bureau’s other reporting partners about what information is required to represent the water systems of the region and what water information is available.
With the exception of the physical water flow information, the report has been prepared using an accrual basis of water accounting. The water attribute being quantified is volume and the unit of account is megalitres (ML).
Only water and claims to water that are held or managed by the state licensing authority, or the urban utilities and part of the entitlement system, are identified as water assets. Provided its volume can be quantified with representational faithfulness (WASB 2009, p. 4), the volume of a water asset or water liability is recognised in the Statement of Water Assets and Water Liabilities. Where a water asset or water liability does not meet the recognition criteria, it is reported in the Statement of Water Assets and Water Liabilities with a dash (–). Water held in store that has already been abstracted from the entitlement system is deemed not to be an asset of the region; for example, private stores (no matter their size or connection to the system). This is because the attendant water right has already been exercised.
Although water within 1.2 Unregulated channel and 1.3 Regulated channel are vital water assets for the conveyance of water within the SEQ region, it cannot be quantified with representational faithfulness.
Likewise, the volume of water within 1.4 Lakes and wetlands - connected cannot be quantified with representational faithfulness. The volume of water held in 1.4 Lakes and wetlands - connected is relatively small in size and its omission does not have a material impact on the total water resource available. It is recognised that water within 1.4 Lakes and wetlands - connected makes a significant contribution to environment benefits in the region.
2.1 Water table aquifer has been quantified only for groundwater assets within the Lockyer Valley groundwater management area (GMA). Other GMAs do exist in the SEQ region but could not be quantified with representational faithfulness. The volume of water recognised as water assets from the aquifers in the Lockyer Valley GMA is the legally extractable limit. The estimated non-extractable volume is classified as a contingent water asset, as this water is not legally extractable and as such has only been disclosed in the Notes.
Only the main transmission mains of the urban potable water supply scheme that form part of the SEQ Water Grid have been recognised as a water asset for 5.1 Urban potable water supply system. The quantification of the water within the SEQ Water Grid also includes water that is outside of the SEQ region, as it cannot be separated. The inclusion of the total water within the SEQ Water Grid’s transmission mains gives a faithful representation of the water assets of the region and its inclusion is not considered material. 5.1 Urban potable water supply system is quantified as always being full.
The increases and decreases to the recognised water assets and water liabilities consist only of changes that can be quantified with representational faithfulness. When a change to a water asset or water liability does not meet the recognition criteria, it is indicated in the Statement of Changes in Water Assets and Water Liabilities and the Statement of Physical Water Flows with a dash (–). These increases and decreases form part of 30 Unaccounted-for difference and are explained in the Notes.
Precipitation and evaporation are recognised only in relation to the surface water storage surfaces (13.1 Precipitation on connected surface water and 14.1 Evaporation from connected surface water). It does not represent all precipitation, evaporation and evapotranspiration within the region (though much of the aggregate effect of precipitation and evapotranspiration processes is recognised as run-off to rivers and storages).
That portion of run-off that flows into the storages is quantified and recognised. This run-off includes precipitation captured in the catchment less evaporation and seepage, and is recorded as 13.4.1 Run-off to connected surface water.
The definition of ‘regulated’ or ‘unregulated’ flows for the purpose of the National Water Account 2010 may be different to the meaning applied by Queensland. For the purpose of the 2010 Account, if water can be ordered from a water supply scheme and has a resource operation licence it is defined as regulated; if not it is deemed to be unregulated.
Only groundwater decreases in relation to the Central Lockyer GMA (27.1.3.7 Groundwater allocation announcement – other lumped holders and 16.5.3.7 Groundwater allocation extraction – other lumped holders) and groundwater extracted under basic rights (16.4.2 Groundwater extraction – other lumped basic right) for urban use have been quantified. Other groundwater increases and decreases are known to exist in the SEQ region but cannot be quantified with representational faithfulness. The imbalance is reported in 30 Unaccounted-for difference and the Notes.
National Water Account 2010
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