NWC and MP Turnbull agree - it's up to the community to decide ...

Chairman and CEO of the National Water Commission, Ken Matthews, while not commenting on the specific Toowoomba proposal, is quoted in the Australian Financial Review (30 January 2006) as stating:

"In general, the NWC would like to find a community in Australia which is prepared to fund indirect potable reuse of water. But whether that should be Toowoomba is a decision for the Toowoomba community".

This was followed by MP Turnbull, Parliamentary Secretary with special responsibility for water, stating in the Courier Mail (2 February 2006):

"I support it being used for drinking if circumstances make that the best solution and the community favours it."

Mr Turnbull was also quoted in the Australian Financial Review (30 January 2006) as saying:

"But if a community doesn't want to drink recycled waste water, then that's their decision."

These are the two people closest to the decision making on Toowoomba's controversial recycled sewage application currently before the NWC.

While the Prime Minister must sign off on it, it is up to the NWC to make a recommendation and MP Turnbull's role to assist the Prime Minister in his decision making.

And both are saying that the Toowoomba community must be in favour of it.

And what does Toowoomba's Mayor Di Thorley say:

"If you don't like it, you can drink bottled water."

See if you can tell which people think the community's view is important and which person thinks you should ram a decision down the community's throat ...