Councils push for unity on water use

From the Courier Mail on 15 December:

SOUTHEAST Queensland's councils will try to persuade another five regions to adopt permanent water restrictions, in a move that has the cautious support of the water and garden industries.

The move could lead to Toowoomba, Noosa, Maroochy, Caloundra and Boonah residents being subjected to ongoing water restrictions regardless of the level of storage dams.

Thirteen council mayors, including those from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, last week drafted permanent water restrictions to come into effect when the region emerges from drought.

But SEQWater chief executive officer Peter Borrows said that the same proposal also would be put to the 18-strong Council of Mayors.

It's understood the Council of Mayors will decide the matter early next year.

Mr Borrows said the regional approach was responsible and would be accepted by Queenslanders at large.

"The community realises that we have to change the way we think about and use water to ensure we can maintain the fantastic southeast Queensland lifestyle now and into the future," he said.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman predicted that all 18 southeast Queensland councils would adopt the permanent water restriction.

Last week the mayors resolved that the additional five councils would consider "regionally compatible permanent restrictions" approved by other councils.

Cr Newman said a region-wide approach would save resources and prevent confusion. "There's also the issue of equity, especially for people using the same water system," he said.

See - Push for unity.