❓ The question seeks clarification on whether a development application for infrastructure related to water access can be approved before a water license is granted. The answer confirms that it can, as water licenses are assessed after land use approvals.

I refer to the issues raised by projects that require concurrent approvals and I ask, in situations where both a water licence and a development application are required for a project, can a development application for infrastructure that is required to facilitate a land use that requires access to water (such as the carting of water) be approved before a water licence is granted?

Yes. A licence issued under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 is assessed after the underlying land use or development has been approved through primary planning or environmental processes. A water licence does not authorise a project in its own right.