History of water savings targets

Rainwater tank laws pre-February 2013

Before 1 February 2013, building development applications lodged for the construction of new Class 1 buildings (houses, townhouses, terrace houses and villas) in Queensland had to meet mandatory water savings targets.

They had several options for meeting these targets which included:

  • household rainwater tanks
  • dual reticulation
  • communal rainwater tanks
  • stormwater re-use
  • an approved greywater treatment plant.

The targets applied to all local government areas in Queensland. Where rainwater tanks were used to meet the water savings targets, the local government could:

  • accept the minimum requirements set out in Queensland Development Code (QDC) 4.2
  • specify an increased minimum in a local government planning instrument for tank storage capacities, roof catchment areas or other household fixture connections.

Exemptions

Before 1 February 2013, a local government was able to apply to the Minister for an exemption from the water savings targets.

Building development applications made in an approved local government area did not have to comply with the water savings targets in QDC 4.2 or the requirements of QDC 4.3.

The list below shows the local governments that were granted an exemption during this period, including their date range:

  • Aurukun Shire Council: 12 October 2009 – 11 October 2012
  • Atherton Shire Council (now in Tablelands Regional Council): 1 July 2007 – 22 June 2010
  • Barcaldine Shire Council (now in Barcaldine Regional Council): 6 November 2007 – 30 June 2013
  • Bauhinia Shire Council (now in Central Highlands Regional Council): 8 September 2007 – 5 May 2010
  • Bowen Shire Council (now in Whitsunday Regional Council): 27 August 2007 – 26 August 2010
  • Blackall-Tambo Regional Council: 1 October 2008 – 30 September 2011
  • Burdekin Shire Council: 1 July 2007 – 30 June 2010
  • Cairns City Council: 1 July 2007 – 30 June 2008
  • Cardwell Shire Council (now in Cassowary Coast Regional Council): 1 July 2007 – 20 June 2010
  • Charters Towers City Council (now in Charters Towers Regional Council): 1 July 2007 – 8 June 2010
  • Cloncurry Shire Council: 8 June 2008 – 7 June 2011
  • Cook Shire Council: 1 July 2007 – 30 June 2010
  • Dalrymple Shire Council (now in Charters Towers Regional Council): 27 August 2007 – 8 June 2010
  • Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council: 21 April 2010 – 21 April 2011
  • Douglas Sire Council: 1 July 2007 – 30 June 2009
  • Eacham Shire Council (now in Tablelands Regional Council): 1 July 2007 – 30 June 2010
  • Emerald Shire Council (now in Central Highlands Regional Council): 1 July 2007 – 5 May 2010
  • Flinders Shire Council: 1 July 2007 – 30 June 2010
  • Hinchinbrook Shire Council: 1 July 2007 – 19 June 2010
  • Herberton Shire Council (now in Tablelands Regional Council): 27 August 2007 – 22 June 2010
  • Jericho Shire Council (now in Barcaldine Regional Council): 1 July 2007 – 8 June 2010
  • Johnstone Shire Council (now in Cassowary Coast Regional Council): 1 July 2007 – 30 June 2010
  • Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council: 9 June 2009 – 8 June 2012
  • Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council: 4 November 2008 – 3 November 2011
  • Mareeba Shire Council, excluding the townships of Chillagoe, Almaden and Irvinebank (now in Tablelands Regional Council): 1 July 2007 – 22 June 2010
  • Mount Isa City Council: 1 July 2007 – 30 June 2010
  • Thuringowa City Council (now in Townsville City Council): 1 July 2007 – 13 June 2010
  • Torres Shire Council: 27 August 2007 – 12 August 2010
  • Townsville City Council: 1 July 2007 – 13 June 2010
  • Whitsunday Regional Council: 27 August 2010 – 26 August 2013.

Note: With the local government amalgamations in March 2008, where an existing local government was previously granted an exemption, it remained to that local government area for the duration of the exemption period.

  • Last reviewed: 22 Jul 2022
  • Last updated: 26 Nov 2019