Wet Tropics water plan postponement of expiry 2024

The endorsed Water Plan (Wet Tropics) (Postponement of Expiry) summary impact analysis statement (IAS) (PDF, 130KB) was issued in August 2024. It relates to the expiry date for the Water Plan (Wet Tropics) 2013 and is published by the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water (DRDMW). It was endorsed by:

• Linda Dobe, Director-General, DRDMW
• Glenn Butcher MP, Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Minister for Water.

Proposal type

Regulatory proposals where no RIA is required.

Details

The Water Plan (Wet Tropics) 2013 was due to expire on 1 September 2024. A Postponement of Expiry notice (PDF, 148KB) has extended the expiry of the water plan to 1 December 2032.

As provided for under section 49 of the Water Act 2000 and following an analysis of relevant matters, the Minister has determined that the water plan remains fit for purpose. The Minister also determined that as the water plan continues to be effective in advancing the sustainable management of water resources, an extension of the plan until 2032 is not expected to have any adverse impacts on water entitlement holders or natural ecosystems in the water plan area. For further details see Water Plan (Wet Tropics) 2013: Minister's performance assessment report (PDF, 2MB).

Postponing the expiry date of the water plan is an amendment that does not increase costs or the regulatory burden on business or the community and is not subject to Regulatory Impact Analysis under The Queensland Government Better Regulation Policy (2023). This proposal is machinery in nature as gazetting the Postponement of Expiry of the water plan does not result in a substantive change to regulatory policy or new impacts on business, government, or the community.