Beattie working on alternatives to recycling of city's water ...

From the Chronicle:

14.03.2006

ON the one hand, Premier Peter Beattie won't pre-empt the Prime Minister's ruminations on whether to fund Toowoomba's controversial water recycling proposal.

On the other hand, he is sufficiently nervous to have begun investigating water alternatives for our dry city in case John Howard rejects Toowoomba City Council's plan to supplement Cooby Dam with water recycled from reclaimed sewage.

Speaking to the media during a stopover visit to Toowoomba yesterday, Mr Beattie urged the Prime Minister to hurry up and make a funding decision so the community could move on.

"I'm sick to death at how long the decision is taking," Mr Beattie said."We want a decision."

Premier Beattie said that as time dragged on, and the community imploded with debate, no headway was being made and certainly no rain was falling.

"They can't delay this forever," he said.

The $70 million Water Futures project is to be funded three ways between local, state and federal governments. Already the State Government has signalled its backing of the Australian-first plan, but the Prime Minister is yet to make a decision.

At last update Mr Howard had sought further information.

Mr Beattie yesterday revealed he and Toowoomba Mayor Dianne Thorley had plans to investigate "alternatives" in case federal funding was not forthcoming."

My people are working on alternatives," Mr Beattie said. "They're complicated and we're not prepared to discuss them."

However, he said: "Toowoomba has a water problem and we want to help solve it".

Mr Beattie said politicians who did not support water recycling were playing "stupid politics".

"Stupid politics is always interfering," he said. "I say to the politicians, nick off."

See - Beattie reveals Mayor's sham.