South East Queensland: Key findings

For the water account period 1 July 2020–30 June 2021

  • Total annual rainfall was below average for the sixth consecutive year.
  • End-of-year storage was similar to last year due to heavy rainfall in late-March 2021.
  • Water taken for consumptive water use was 383 GL, around 15% less than last year.

Climate and water

Rainfall

Rainfall icon

1,024 mm

below the average of 1,056 mm

Streamflow

Streamflow icon

below average

for most of the year

Storage

Storage icon

62% full

similar to last year

Water use

Water sourced

Graph showing breakdown of water sources used in the South East Queensland region. A total of 383 GL of water was used in the region in 2020–21. Surface water made up 90% of total water sourced. Groundwater made up 5% and desalinated water 5% of total water sourced.

Water supplied

Graph showing breakdown of water users in the South East Queensland region. A total of 383 GL of water was supplied to users in 2020-21. 89% of total water supply was for the urban system and 11% was for individual users.

Water status

Allocations

602 GL

total surface water and groundwater allocations

Water availability

5,082 GL

surface water available in 2020–21

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8% less than average

Outlook

Increase

in storage expected during the 2021–22 year