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Frequently Asked Questions

Why buy or trade water licences through Water Traders Tas?

At water traders Tasmania we have the contacts and the knowledge to make water trading easy for you.

What is the difference between a water licence and a water allocation?

A water licence specifies where you are allowed to take water. This includes any river, stream, creek or in-stream dam within your property boundary that connects to other watercourses in the catchment. You must have a water licence to take, trap or store water for the use of watering stock for commercial sale or for crop irrigation.

A water allocation states how much water can be taken in a given time period. You must also have a water allocation (specific megalitre limit stated on your licence) if you are intending to draw water from any water body other than an isolated land based dam for commercial farming purposes. Under Section 59 of the Water Management Act 1999 (WMA), conditions on a water allocation may relate to the area that the water is able to be taken from, the area the water is to be used on, the specific purpose for which the water may be used and/or that the water is only to be taken to fill a specific dam.

A water allocation can be obtained through application to the Minister, or by transferring water from another licence.

You can hold a water licence without necessarily having a water allocation but you cannot have a water allocation without holding a water licence.

Can I take water from my property for domestic use without a licence?

If your land includes the frontage of a lake or river, you have what are commonly referred to as “riparian rights”. These rights are established by the WMA as “Part 5 Rights” and entitle you to take water for domestic use without a licence, provided you don’t exceed your entitlements for domestic use e.g. water used to for stock or to water domestic gardens etc.

Riparian rights are solely for domestic purposes and do not allow you to irrigate a paddock of any size if the purpose is to graze animals or grow crops which will later be sold. Domestic use may also be restricted in summer by regional water restrictions.

For all other purposes, you will need to have a water licence. You also need a licence to take water for the above purposes if your property does not directly front onto river or lake or a riparian reserve.

Regulation 4 of the Water Management Regulations 1999 provides for the maximum amount of water to be taken under different uses that the Part 5 Right may be used. For example the regulation provides that where water is being taken to water sheep or goats, 8.5 litres per head per day can be taken without a licence.

The Water Regulations 1999 are available on the Tasmanian Legislation website: www.thelaw.tas.gov.auYou are now leaving our site. DPIWE is not responsible for the content of the web site to which you are going. The link does not constitute any form of endorsement

Do I need a water licence to farm?

Anyone who takes water for agricultural or other commercial purposes must have a water licence and allocation to do so (some exemptions apply). A water licence with an allocation is required for any irrigation from an in-stream dam.

Any person who takes water from a lake or river without a licence, or in greater quantity than the allocation permits, or in breach of the licence conditions, commits an offence. See the Water Regulations on the Tasmanian Legislation website for penalties: www.thelaw.tas.gov.auYou are now leaving our site. DPIWE is not responsible for the content of the web site to which you are going. The link does not constitute any form of endorsement

Under part 5 of the WMA a licence is not required for:
Stock and domestic use from these dams, but this water can only be accessed if you have a stream running through or bordering your property;
Water used for fire fighting; or
Surface water (water flowing over land and not in a watercourse);

A licence is also not required for:
Ground water unless from a specified “Groundwater Area” or where a Water Management Plan provides that a licence is required; or
Small-scale generation of hydro-electricity.

Do I need a water licence to collect water in a dam?

A Dam Works Permit only covers you for the construction of the dam. A Water Licence may also be required if you intend to collect water into the dam directly from a stream or pump water into the dam from another water source .

Special conditions must be added to a pre-existing water licence, if a new in-stream dam is constructed, based on the new dam’s holding capacity. Extra conditions may incur added fees to your normal licence fee. Use of an existing licence to fill or top up a non in-stream dam is permissible if it does not violate the conditions of your water licence and/or water allocation.

See Dam Works Permits for more information.

How do I get a water licence and how long will it take?

If you want a water licence, you will need to contact a Regional Water Management Officer (RWMO) and submit an application.

Sections 63 and 64 of the Water Management Act provide the power to grant or refuse an application for a licence to the Minister, however this power has also been delegated to specified persons within the Water Resources Division of DPIW.

Upon application, the Water Resources Division will:

* Check that all relevant information is provided to support the application;
* Advertise the application with a 14 day period for representations (objections); and
* Assess and reject or approve the application.

DPIW is generally required to give public notification of water licence applications. A period of 14 days is allowed for any public objection to the application. The authorities (DPIW) will then judge the validity of any public objections submitted as part of the application process. Licences must not contravene any Water Management Plans or jeopardise any ecological or commercial values of the specific region of the application.

When approval for the water licence is given or refused, both the applicant and those making objections are advised. A further 14 days is allowed for successful applicants to request a review of licence conditions, or unsuccessful applicants and those with public objections to appeal the authorities decision to the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal.

How much does a water licence cost?

A Water Licence Application fee is set under the Water Management Regulations 1999. This fee covers the cost of correct application proofing, advertising, site assessment and processing of a standard nature. Applications that require additional processing due to extraordinary on site circumstances, may incur an extra processing fee. This is calculated on a case-by-case basis.

An annual regional management fee (based on regional fee units and whether or not the water is taken directly or into storage) and an Administration Fee is also applicable as an ongoing cost.

Water licence fees are payable as a lump sum. Current fee structures can be obtained from a Regional Water Management Officer.

How long does my water licence /allocation last and can I transfer it?

Currently a water licence is usually granted for 40 years with provision made for reassessment of licence conditions within 5 years. At the end of the 40 year period, licences are “rolled over” for another 40 years if all licence conditions have been appropriately complied with.

Both a water licence or water allocation can be transferred temporarily (leased) or permanently (sold) with approval from the DPIW. A Licence/Allocation transfer application form must be completed and submitted with an application fee.

The intended recipient of an allocation transfer must also hold a water licence or submit a water licence application at the same time. A temporary transfer (not more than 21 days) of a water allocation may be granted at the DPIW’s discretion, without holding a water licence, if dire water shortage affecting livelihood can be demonstrated.

Temporary water rights are also available. These rights are limited though and are not suitable for long-term irrigation practices.

The Tasmanian government and some other corporate entities own or manage irrigation schemes, which provide water for a defined ‘Irrigation Scheme district’, and each property within that district is granted an irrigation right based on the area of irrigable land. Irrigation rights may also be transferred within that irrigation district.

The WMA provides for the establishment of irrigation districts and the administration of such districts by a responsible water entity (eg. a Government Business Enterprise, council, company, co-operative, trust).