In May 2007, the Queensland State Government announced a blueprint for the reform of water ownership and management in South East Queensland (SEQ). This reform process, which directly affects the local authorities operating in SEQ, consists of two stages:

• Stage One: the State took ownership of all bulk water assets, including bulk water transport, bulk water supply, desalination and recycled water treatment. The State-owned businesses became operational on 1 July 2008.
• Stage Two: the water and wastewater businesses of ten SEQ Councils are to be separated from the Councils and run through three integrated distribution and retail entities.  The three new water and wastewater businesses will be made up of the following Councils:
   
  • Brisbane, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Somerset and Scenic Rim
  • Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast
  • Gold Coast, Redland and Logan