Water allocations register

This is an accurate and secure register that records ownership and other attributes of water allocations.

It is similar to how the Land Registry records details of land ownership and dealings. Other interests and encumbrances, such as financial securities or caveats and priority notices, may also be recorded against the water allocation on the register.

To have effect, all permanent water allocation dealings must be lodged and registered on the Water Allocation Register. This process is similar to and uses the same forms as land transfers.

Forms and fees

The forms and fees for water allocation applications are similar to those used for land dealings.

Transactions relating to water allocations are recorded by registering properly completed titles registry forms.

Forms that are lodged must be accurate, legally correct, and submitted in the correct sequence for the transaction before they can be registered. Find out about specific requirements for trades, transfer applications or conveyancing in the Queensland Murray Darling Basin.

For water allocation transfers, a Form 1 – Transfer and Form 24 – Property Transfer Information must be lodged.

For other applications such as subdivisions or amalgamations, a Form 14 – General Request must be lodged.

You can access the forms from Titles Queensland.

Water allocation dealings may require approval by the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water before being lodged with Titles Queensland. If your water allocation is managed under a supply contract, you may also need approval from the water supply scheme operator.

Find out if your water allocation dealing requires approval.

Searching the register

You can purchase a search of a water allocation title online at Searches - Titles Queensland.

Searches of titles and copies of documents are also available from approved public access providers.

To conduct a search, you need to know the water allocation:

• lot number (water allocation number)
• plan number (AP number - see list below) and/or the title reference.

Information on a water allocation title

A water allocation title records:

• the names of the holder(s) and tenancy arrangements
• a description of the registered, resource-related attributes
• identifiers such as water allocation number, plan number and title reference
• registered and unregistered dealings
• encumbrances and interests (e.g. mortgages)
• administrative advices (e.g. priority notices).

Like land, a water allocation may be described by referring to:

• the lot on plan number, which is used as the water allocation number (e.g. Lot 777)
• the administrative or Crown Plan (AP) number assigned to each water plan (e.g. AP6688)
• its unique title reference (e.g. 46008989).

You must use these descriptors when making an application, including applying for a subdivision or lodging transfer documents.

Resource-related attributes of a water allocation

As well as specifying the holder(s) and tenancy arrangements, the Water Allocations Register also records the following attributes of a water allocation:

• the location (supplemented or unsupplemented)
• the purpose (supplemented or unsupplemented)
• the conditions required by the department (supplemented or unsupplemented)
• the nominal volume (supplemented or unsupplemented)
• the priority group (supplemented only)
• the extraction rate (unsupplemented only)
• the flow conditions (unsupplemented only)
• the volumetric limit (unsupplemented only)
• the water allocation group (unsupplemented only).