The South East Queensland (SEQ) region

Overview of the 2011–12 year

The South East Queensland (SEQ) region was generally wet and the rainfall was above average for the 2011–12 year. These rainfall conditions, compared to the record high rainfall observed during the 2010–11 year, contributed to decreased inflows into the urban storages. Because of high storage volume in the 2010–11, water volume in almost all the storages in the SEQ region increased during the 2011–12 year. The volume of water held in storages was 2,479,671 ML compared to 2,219,099 ML at the end of the  2010 –11 year. The closing net water assets in the SEQ region was 2,480,275 ML, compared to 2,218,299 ML at the end of the 2010–11 year.


For more information on the region's water assets refer to Water accounting statements.

The SEQ region's urban water supply system depended on surface water source in the 2011–12 year. In addition to that about 22,900 ML of water was imported to the urban water system.

The key water account information for the SEQ region during the 2011–12 year are presented in the following table. Information on the uncertainty associated with the volumes presented in the table is provided in the relevant sections of the account. 

 

Key water account information for the SEQ region during the 2011–12 year


Contextual information: Climate overview
Climate Overview 2011–12 2010–11 Long–term average
(1900–2011)
Rainfall: 1,143 mm Rainfall: 1,748 mm Rainfall: 969 mm
Evapotranspiration: 919 mm Evapotranspiration: 1,114 mm Evapotranspiration: 847 mm
For more detail on the SEQ climate refer to Climate overview.

 

Contextual information: Water overview
Water overview Brisbane River Logan River Bremer River
47% more than long-term average flow (894,700 ML) 98% of long-term average flow (318,360 ML) 47% more than long-term average flow (63,940 ML)
For more detail on streamflow in the SEQ region refer to Water overview.

 

Water accounting statements
Accounting statements 2011–12 2010–11
Total water assets (as at 30 June) 2,491,853 2,230,533
Total water liabilities (as at 30 June) 11,578 12,234
Change in net water assets 261,976 121,785
Closing net water assets 2,480,275 2,218,299
For more detail on water assets and water liabilities refer to Accounting statements.

 

 

Notes: Water resources and systems

 

Surface water storage
Surface water 30 June 2012 30 June 2011
Total capacity Volume % of capacity Volume % of capacity
2,593,703 ML 2,479,671 ML 95.5 2,219,099 ML 85.4
For more detail on surface water storage in the SEQ region refer to  Surface water.

 

Water abstractions
Groundwater Total water abstracted
2011–12 2010–11 Recent activity
Surface water: 228,317 ML Surface water: 216,369 ML Water abstraction for groundwater has increased
Groundwater: 3,925 ML Groundwater: 1,584 ML
For more detail on water abstraction in the SEQ region refer to Surface water and Groundwater.

 

Urban water supply
Urban water system
Total water supplied  
2011–12 2010–11 Recent activity
243,213 ML 243,130 ML High dependence on surface water
For more detail on the urban water system in the SEQ region refer to  Urban water system .