Burdekin
Future outlook
Future prospects
Table 1 shows that at 30 June 2014 there was a surplus of available water assets over water liabilities and future commitments expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting date.
| Volume (ML) | |
| Total water assets as at 30 June 2014 | 2,003,189 |
| Less water assets not available to be accessed, taken, or delivered within 12 months of the reporting date: | |
| dead storage | 10,534 |
| Less total water liabilities as at 30 June 2014 | 0 |
| Subtotal | 1,992,655 |
| Less future commitments expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting date: | |
| expected diversions of surface water | 1,000,000 |
| expected extractions of groundwater | 50,000 |
| Surplus/Deficit of available water assets over water liabilities and future commitments expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting date | 942,655 |
Expected diversions and extractions are based on abstractions made during the 2013–14 year.
Contingent water assets and contingent water liabilities
The DNRM sets extraction limits on groundwater aquifers to protect groundwater-dependent ecosystems. Only water above the prescribed minimum water table level is recognised as a water asset in the account. The volume of water that is beyond this extraction limit is considered a contingent water asset for aquifers in the region; however, similar to the recognition of groundwater assets, there is currently not enough information available regarding groundwater resources in the Burdekin region to allow for a volumetric estimate.
There are no contingent water liabilities in the region.