Council of Australian Governments' (COAG) Water Reform Framework developed the National Water Initiative (NWI) in June 2004 in recognition of the need for more efficient and sustainable management of Australia's water resources - the blueprint for Australian water reform.

In December 2004, the Australian Government established the National Water Commission to assist with implementation of the NWI. It is an independent statutory body providing advice to COAG and the Australian Government on water issues.

These define local government's obligations as responsible service providers to safeguard our waterways and deliver reliable and safe water services.

The Water Act 2000 stipulates all rights of use, flow and control of water in the state of Queensland.

The Queensland Government has responded to the water supply emergency with the Water Amendment Regulation (No. 6) 2006, under the powers of the Water Act 2000, to implement a strategy to secure the essential water supply needs of the region.

Created June 2006 to take responsibility for administering the completion of the water supply strategy and the associated consultation with the community on water planning and management issues. To reduce the impact of the drought, the Commission and its partners are undertaking a series of projects to:

• manage the development of the Water Grid;
• reduce water wastage;
• identify alternative water sources; and
• efficiently manage existing water sources

A State Government initiative for the development and implementation of key regional planning strategies in SEQ to manage increased growth, plan the infrastructure to support it and ensure the Queensland way of life is preserved for future generations.

NRW plays a critical role in stewardship of Queensland's natural resources. The department manages and allocates the state's land and water resources; it manages native vegetation and the use and sale of native forest resources; and is responsible for managing the control of pest plants and animals. 

Within a framework of extensive legislation and policies, which have been developed through exhaustive consultation processes between key government and industry stakeholders, client groups, Indigenous people and the community, the department has discrete planning and management responsibilities for these natural resources.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which includes the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS), is a department of the Queensland Government. The EPA strives to protect Queensland's natural and cultural heritage, promote sustainable use of its natural capital and ensure a clean environment.

Key functions of the organisation are environmental planning, environmental policy, management of parks, forestry and wildlife, environmental operations, sustainable industries, environmental and technical services, corporate affairs, and corporate development.

The South East Queensland (SEQ) Regional Plan was released on 30 June 2005.

Finalised after extensive public consultation, the SEQ Regional Plan is the culmination of many months of work by the Queensland Government and QWC in partnership with the councils of SEQ. Its release signifies an important step forward for the region as it will guide growth and development in SEQ over the next two decades.

The South East Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy (SEQRWSS) is a project being progressed in partnership between the Queensland Government and the Council of Mayors SEQ to formulate regional strategies for managing the future water supply needs of South East Queensland.

A regional approach to water savings and restrictions in SEQ, triggered when regional water supplies fall to specific levels.

SEQWater is the major supplier of untreated water in bulk to Local Governments and industries in the south east Queensland region, through ownership of Wivenhoe, Somerset and North Pine dams.

Healthy Waterways is a program of the Moreton Bay Waterways and Catchments Partnership (the Partnership), a whole-of government, whole-of-community collaboration.

The Partnership resulted from the combination of the Brisbane River Management Group (1991 - 2001) and the South East Queensland Regional Water Quality Management Strategy project (1995 - 2001) and seeks to build on the outcomes of these programs.