Water reform - the Seqwater journey

The creation of Seqwater is part of Queensland Government reforms designed to deliver long-term security of water supplies.

On 16 November 2007, the South East Queensland Water (Restructuring) Act 2007 came into effect and delivered major reform in the management of water services in South East Queensland.

As part of these reforms, diversified water sources supplement existing dams, weirs and groundwater sources. These diversified water sources include recycled water, desalination and increased regional diversification of dams and weirs.

A regional water grid has been established to improve the capacity to transport water amongst regional urban centres, and a new institutional framework has been set up.

A market-based pricing framework and regulatory environment will be implemented to encourage efficiency and to use market signals to moderate demand, while water efficiency measures, including new technologies, will progressively improve household and business water efficiency.

The Seqwater journey

Seqwater is the trading name of the Queensland Bulk Water Supply Authority (QBWSA).

16 November 2007	QBWSA was established as part of the South East Queensland Water (Restructuring) Act 2007. Work commences to identify bulk water storage and water treatment plant assets and staff and transition them to QBWSA.
29 February 2008	Caloundra Maroochy Water Supply Board (Aquagen) assets and staff transfer to and commence operations as part of QBWSA.
14 March 2008	Bulk water storage and water treatment plant assets and staff transfer to QBWSA from the amalgamating councils of Caloundra, Maroochy, Noosa, Pine Rivers, Caboolture, Esk, Kilcoy, Beaudesert and Boonah and the Esk Gatton Laidley Water Board. However, the transferring councils continue to operate the transferred assets under Interim Service Level Agreements until 30 June 2008.
2 May 2008	Redland City Council bulk water storage and water treatment plant assets and staff transfer to QBWSA, but continue to be operated by council under an Interim Service Level Agreement.
1 July 2008	Brisbane City Council and Gold Coast City Council bulk water storage and water treatment plant assets and staff transfer to and commence operations as part of QBWSA. Identified Sunwater and all South East Queensland Water Corporation Limited assets and staff transfer to and commence operations as part of QBWSA. QBWSA assumes operational responsibility for all transferred assets previously provided under Interim Service Level Agreements. QBWSA adopts the trading name of Seqwater and a new logo and visual identity is created.