South East Queensland: Key findings

For the water account period 01 July 2022 – 30 June 2023

  • Total annual rainfall was below average, following below-average rainfall from November 2022 to June 2023.
  • End-of-year storage volume decreased by fourteen percentage points, finishing at 76% full by 30 June 2023.
  • Water taken from surface water and groundwater resources for consumptive use was 349 GL, around 10% more than last year.

Climate and water

Rainfall

Rainfall icon

847 mm

20% below the average of 1,063 mm

Streamflow

Streamflow icon

below average

at all sites

Storage

Storage icon

76% full

arrowpointingdown

14% less than last year

Water use from all sources

Water sourced

Graph showing breakdown of water sources used in the South East Queensland region. A total of 359 GL of water was used in the region in 2022-23. Surface water made up 95% of total water sourced. Groundwater made up 3% and desalinated water 2% of total water sourced.

Water supplied

Graph showing breakdown of water users in the South East Queensland region. A total of 359 GL of water was supplied to users in 2022-23. 94% of total water supply was for the urban system and 6% was for individual users.

Water status of water resources

Water availability

3,920 GL

total surface water available in 2022-23

arrowpointingdown

77% less than last year

Water accessible

455 GL

total surface water and groundwater accessible in 2022-23

arrowpointingup

7% more than last year

Water taken

352 GL

total surface water and groundwater taken in 2022-23

arrowpointingup

10% more than last year