The South-East Queensland Water (Distribution and Retail Restructuring) and Other Legislation Amendment Act has allowed the councils to withdraw their business from Allconnex and establish their own water businesses.

Councils will own and maintain the significant underground network of water and wastewater mains that deliver water throughout the city and transfer wastewater from homes and businesses.

The $A2.7 billion worth of assets that will transfer to the Gold Coast City Council will include four wastewater treatment plants, an advanced recycled water treatment plant at Pimpama, 3,092 km of watermains, 3,143 km of wastewater mains, 527 wastewater pump stations, 56 water pump stations and 65 water reservoirs.

Although councils will be the water and wastewater service provider, the Queensland State Government will retain ownership of the bulk water supply, and will also own the drinking water treatment plants.

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The Government will continue to set the wholesale price that councils pay for water, which is passed on to customers.

In July 2011 Gold Coast City Council announced it would be parting from Allconnex.