STATE AND TERRITORY SUMMARIES
WATER ACCOUNT AUSTRALIA
New South Wales
New South Wales consumed about two-fifths (40%) of Australia's total water consumption in 2016-17. Overall, New South Wales' water consumption increased by 27% - up to 6,567 gigalitres from 5,174 gigalitres in 2015-16. This increase was primarily driven by a 57% increase in water consumption by Agriculture (up to 4,600 gigalitres from 2,921 gigalitres in 2015-16).
The State's Gross Value of Irrigated Agricultural Production (GVIAP) was estimated at $3.7 billion which was approximately about a quarter (24%) of Australia's GVIAP.
Household water consumption in New South Wales was estimated at 569 gigalitres, which was about 30% of the national total household consumption in 2016-17. This remained fairly steady from 2015-16 (562 gigalitres), with water consumption per household at 194 kilolitres in both years. There was also a small drop (1%) in the average price paid per kilolitre for New South Wales households, down to $2.75 from $2.78 in 2015-16. This remained below the Australian average of $3.28 per kilolitre.
The state's Manufacturing industry consumed 121 gigalitres of water, an increase of 4% from 2015-16; Mining industry increased by 19% (82 gigalitres to 97 gigalitres); and Electricity and gas supply industry increased by 40% (from 45 gigalitres to 62 gigalitres).
Other industries (mainly the service industries) reported an 8% decrease in water consumption from previous year (from 422 gigalitres to 387 gigalitres).
Water use productivity (or gross value added per volume of water consumed) in New South Wales in 2016-17 was estimated at $80 million per gigalitre, a decrease from $100 million per gigalitre in 2015-16; just below the Australian average of $102 million per gigalitre.
Total revenue generated from sale and/provision of water and related services in New South Wales in 2016-17 was $4.5 billion, 25% of total national revenue.
Victoria
In 2016-17, Victorian industry and households consumed 3,147 gigalitres of water which was almost a fifth (19%) of Australia's total water consumption. Water consumption in Victoria decreased by 16% from 2015-16 (3,750 gigalitres) driven by a 17% decrease in the state's Agricultural water consumption (from 2,322 gigalitres to 1,934 gigalitres).
Victoria's GVIAP in 2016-17 was estimated at $4.2 billion and is the largest contributor (27%) to the national total. Victoria's GVIAP, however, decreased by 8% from 2015-16 (from $4.5 billion).
Household water consumption in Victoria was estimated at 396 gigalitres which was more than a fifth (21%) of the national household consumption; and an increase of 3% from 2015-16 (384 gigalitres). Water consumption per household increased from 166 kilolitres to 168 kilolitres per household between 2015-16 and 2016-17. Average price spent by Victorian households for water in 2016-17 was $3.52 per kilolitre - slightly lower than the 2015-16 average price of $3.61 per kilolitre and slightly above the national average of $3.28 per kilolitre.
Victoria's Manufacturing industry consumed about 126 gigalitres of water, a 9% decrease from 2015-16 consumption of 138 gigalitres; Other industries consumed 215 gigalitres which was 5% lower than its 2015-16 water consumption of 226 gigalitres.
Victoria's water use productivity in 2016-17 was estimated at $127 million per gigalitre of water consumed, 28% higher than the 2015-16 water productivity of $99 million per gigalitre.
Water sales and service revenue for Victoria in 2016-17 was estimated at $4.7 billion, about 26% of total national revenue.
Queensland
Queensland consumed a total of 3,880 gigalitres of water in 2016-17 which is approximately 23% of Australia's total water consumption. Water consumption in Queensland decreased by 1% from 2015-16 (3,933 gigalitres). This difference was driven by Water supply, sewerage and drainage services (down 69 gigalitres).
Queensland GVIAP was estimated at $4.0 billion, about 26% of the national total of $15.5 billion. This was 7% higher than the 2015-16 estimate of $3.8 billion.
Households water consumption in Queensland was estimated at 387 gigalitres, about a fifth (20%) of the national household water consumption and 3% higher than the 2015-16 estimated water consumption of 375 gigalitres. Water consumption per household in 2016-17 was estimated at 203 kilolitres, up from 201 kilolitres per household in 2015-16. Average price spent for water by Queensland households in 2016-17 was $3.86 per kilolitre, the same level in 2015-16 and higher than the national average of $3.28 per kilolitre.
Queensland's water use productivity in 2016-17 was estimated at $80 million per gigalitre of water consumed, a 4% increase on 2015-16 ($77 million per gigalitre).
Water sales and service revenue for Queensland in 2016-17 was estimated at $4.5 billion, about 26% of total national revenue.
South Australia
South Australia consumed 913 gigalitres of water in 2016-17 a decrease of 22%. This decrease was largely driven by the Agriculture industry, which decreased by 28% (by 225 gigalitres, down to 578 gigalitres), primarily from Sheep, beef cattle and grain farming which decreased by 106 gigalitres or 36% from 2015-16. Significant decreases were also seen in Fruit and tree nut growing (74 gigalitres, 23% decrease) and Dairy cattle farming (27 gigalitres, 35% decrease).
Household water consumption in South Australia was estimated at 119 gigalitres, representing 6% of the national total consumption and 12% lower than water consumption in 2015-16 of 136 gigalitres. Water consumption per household was estimated at 168 kilolitres, a 13% decrease from 2015-16. Average price paid for water use by households was estimated at of $3.91 per kilolitre, a 3% rise from 2015-16 ($3.78 per kilolitres) and well above the Australian household average of $3.28 per kilolitre.
South Australia's water use productivity increased 34% from $82 million per gigalitre in 2015-16 to $110 million per gigalitre 2016-17.
Western Australia
Western Australia consumed 1,417 gigalitres of water in 2016-17 which was about 9% of the national water consumption.
Unlike most other states, water consumption in Western Australia was led by the Mining industry (371 gigalitres, 26%) with the Agriculture industry contributing 25% (359 gigalitres) and Households (322 gigalitres, 23%) to the total consumption.
Western Australian household water consumption decreased 3% to 322 gigalitres in 2016-17. There was a 6% decrease in per household water consumption to 306 kilolitres per household, second highest in the country and above the Australian average of 203 kilolitres per household. Western Australian households also pay $3.00 per kilolitre, which was a 21% increase on 2015-16.
Water use productivity for Western Australia decreased 4% from $214 million per gigalitre in 2015-16 to $206 million per gigalitre in 2016-17. Total expenditure for water and related services for industries and households remained stable, at $2 billion in 2016-17.
Tasmania
Tasmania consumed 387 gigalitres of water in 2016-17, 15% lower than water consumption in 2015-16 (453 gigalitres). The decrease can be attributed to decrease in water use by the Agriculture industry, which dropped from 307 gigalitres to 250 gigalitres (18%).
Tasmanian households consumed about 39 gigalitres of water in 2016-17, 2% higher than estimated water consumption in 2015-16 (38 gigalitres). Per household consumption of water increased slightly to 179 kilolitres per household, but remained below the Australian average of 203 kilolitres per household. The price per household for water consumed by Tasmanian households decreased slightly to $2.84 per kilolitre from $2.89 per kilolitre in 2015-16.
Increased water consumption by Mining (5%) was more than offset by a 26% decrease in water consumption by Other industries.
Water use productivity for Tasmania increased 22% in 2016-17, up to $72 million per gigalitre, from $59 million per gigalitre in 2015-16. This was the lowest in the country, and much lower than the Australian average of $102 million per gigalitre water consumed.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory consumed 194 gigalitres of water in 2016-17, an increase of 40% from 2015-16. Agriculture was the main driver of this increase (increased 112% to 93 gigalitres in 2016-17). Household water consumption also increased by 17%.
These increases were partially offset by decreases in Manufacturing (6%); Waste collection, treatment and disposal services (5%) and Other industries (3%). Northern Territory households increased their per household water consumption by 15%, up to 571 kilolitres per household, the highest in the country. The price of water consumed per household remained steady in 2016-17, at $2.72 per kilolitre, below the national average of $3.28 per kilolitre.
Northern Territory's water use productivity decreased from $195 million per gigalitre in 2015-16 to $134 million per gigalitre in 2016-17, well above the average Australian water use productivity of $102 million per gigalitre of water consumed.
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory consumed 53 gigalitres of water in 2016-17, a slight increase on 2015-16 (1%). Households accounted for 59% of the ACT's total water consumption (31 gigalitres), with the next largest contributor being Other industries at 22% (12 gigalitres).
Per household water consumption decreased to 198 kilolitre in 2016-17 (from 203 kilolitres per household in 2015-16), and the price per household remained fairly constant ($3.77 per kilolitre).
Water use productivity in the Australian Capital Territory was $1,441 million per gigalitre in 2016-17, a decrease from $1,448 million per gigalitre in 2015-16. This amount was far above the Australian average of $102 million per gigalitre, due to the ACT's lack of water-intensive industries relative to all other States and Territories.
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