Another State MP says no to drinking recycled water ...

State MP Stuart Copeland, the Member for Cunningham, joins the list of State MPs with concerns regarding Toowoomba's controversial recycled water project.

Speaking in State Parliament last week, he said:

"I do have some concerns about the recycling of sewage water to be used for indirect potable use."

"It's an issue which has generated a lot of angst within the Toowoomba community."

"There are a lot of issues to be dealt with before it happens in Toowoomba. I have to say that I support the actions of Ian Macfarlane."

"It's a little disappointing because some of the statements in here [the Dept of Natural Resources and Mines report "Toowoomba and area supply future directions: Review of recently identified alternatives"] make it look more like justifying the need to support the drinking of recycled water or justifying the need to get money from the national water initiative than looking at the alternatives for securing the supply of water to Toowoomba."

"This document seems to be more about justifying the need to drink recycled water than it is about realistically looking at alternatives. That is a real shame."

Regarding the Dept of Natural Resources and Mines comments that certain alternatives are "not innovative", Mr Copeland said:

"That is not a reason why it should be ruled out. To rule it out because it is not innovative is simply ridiculous to the people of Toowoomba [and surrounding shires] who are having to look at drinking recycled water. We do not have to do something simply because it is innovative."

See - Hansard 10 November 2005