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Water resource catchments overlay in Queensland — what it means if you want to build

An overlay is an extra layer of planning rules that sits on top of a property's zone.

What it is

Land that drains into a drinking-water supply, or sits over a groundwater source such as the Great Artesian Basin, where rules protect water quality and supply.

What it means for you

New houses with on-site sewerage, intensive rural uses, large clearing and some subdivision may need extra treatment, buffers to waterways or a development application. A bore on your lot is also affected by state water rules.

State and council maps. The free state lookup checks water plan areas for every Queensland address; councils map their own supply catchments.

How councils treat it

From the planning scheme tables of assessment of 8 councils: what the overlay changes and which projects it touches. Each tag links to that council's page for the project.

  • Brisbane

    Brisbane City Plan 2014

  • Central Highlands

    Central Highlands Regional Council Planning Scheme 2016 (Amendment No. 7)

    • Water resource catchments overlay (Table 5.8.1 Overlays — Water resource catchments overlay)

      No change to category, but within a water resource catchment area listed higher-impact uses and reconfiguring a lot increasing lot numbers, and excavating/filling over 50m³ not associated with an MCU or ROL, must be assessed against the Water resource catchment overlay code.

  • Gold Coast

    Gold Coast City Plan (City Plan) — Part 5 Tables of assessment (v14, 2026-09-29)

    • Water catchments and dual supply system overlay (Table 5.10.24 Water catchments and dual supply system overlay)

      In a 'Water supply buffer area' or 'Dual supply system area', an otherwise accepted MCU, reconfiguration or operational work becomes accepted subject to requirements (relevant overlay code).

  • Ipswich

    Ipswich City Plan 2025

  • Livingstone

    Livingstone Planning Scheme 2018

    • Water Resource Areas Overlay (Table 5.9.11)

      Within a water resource area, a dual occupancy or dwelling house becomes accepted subject to requirements; other MCU and reconfiguring a lot become code assessable; building work for a secondary dwelling and clearing become accepted subject to requirements.

  • Rockhampton

    Rockhampton Region Planning Scheme 2015 (Version 5, 2025-03-28)

    • Water resource catchments overlay (Table 5.9.12)

      No change to category, but the Water resource catchments overlay code applies to assessable development.

  • Scenic Rim

    Scenic Rim Planning Scheme 2020

    • Water Resource Catchments Overlay (OM-10-A) (5.10 Water Resource Catchments Overlay Map - Catchment Areas OM-10-A)

      A dwelling house, dual occupancy and home based business stay accepted in a water supply buffer/catchment area; most other uses become Accepted subject to requirements and listed higher-impact uses become code assessable against the Water Resource Catchments Overlay Code. Clearing of native vegetation (non-exempt) is Accepted subject to requirements, and reconfiguring a lot creating additional lots is code assessable.

  • Townsville

    Townsville City Plan

    • Water resource catchment overlay (Table 5.9.1 Water resource catchment overlay)

      A dwelling house (including a granny flat) becomes accepted subject to requirements under the Water resource catchment overlay code.

    • Water resource catchment overlay (Table 5.6.1)

      The code-assessable minimum lot size rises to 4 ha in the Rural residential zone and 400 ha in the Rural zone Mixed farming precinct; smaller lots are impact assessable.

Is my property in it?

Search your address in Landbrief's free check: it shows the zone and which planning layers apply to the lot.

Common questions

What is the water resource catchments overlay?

Land that drains into a drinking-water supply, or sits over a groundwater source such as the Great Artesian Basin, where rules protect water quality and supply.

What does the water resource catchments overlay mean if I want to build?

New houses with on-site sewerage, intensive rural uses, large clearing and some subdivision may need extra treatment, buffers to waterways or a development application. A bore on your lot is also affected by state water rules. Of the councils whose tables of assessment we have read, 8 mention it, and each treats it differently — see the table on this page.

How do I find out if my property is in the water resource catchments overlay?

Search your address in Landbrief's free check, which shows the state layers that apply to the lot and, for councils whose overlays we read directly, the council layers too. For the council's own mapping, the planning scheme maps and the council's online property report are the official source. Confirm with the council or a town planner before you buy or build.

Other overlays

Bushfire hazardLandslide hazard and steep landAcid sulfate soilsFlood hazardCoastal hazard (storm tide and erosion)Vegetation managementBiodiversity, waterways and wetlandsHeritageNeighbourhood characterAirport environsExtractive resources and miningRegional infrastructure and corridorsAgricultural landScenic amenity and landscape characterTransport noise and corridors

Read from each council's planning scheme tables of assessment. General information, not advice. The council's planning scheme and the Planning Act 2016 decide — confirm with the council or a town planner before you build.