Premier Beattie to TCC Director of Engineering - "thanks mate" ...

Somewhat unwittingly, Toowoomba City Council's director of engineering Kevin Flanagan has put the supply of water to Toowoomba from Wivenhoe dam firmly on the State election agenda.

At the Toowoomba City Council Committee meetings last week, Councillor Shelton expressed disappointment at the Council's acceptance that it is being excluded from being part of a regional water supply solution which would link supplies from a desalination plant on the Gold Coast with Hinze and Wivenhoe dams.

(As predicted, Mayor Thorley's excuse was the so-called enviromental cost of pumping the water up the range - any excuse not to look at alternatives.)

Mr Flanagan made it clear that State Government departments had made Wivenhoe dam water off-limits to Toowoomba.

Whether this is actually the case remains a question.

However, without doubt, Mr Flanagan has put the supply of water to Toowoomba from Wivenhoe dam firmly on the State election agenda.

The State Opposition has stated that it would be reasonable for Toowoomba to be able to access Wivenhoe dam water:

“… and water is pumped to within about two kilometres of Toowoomba to Withcott. I believe that, if we are truly to be considered worthy citizens of Queensland, consideration should be given to giving a small amount of water as a boost to the city's supply.” (MP Horan - State Parliament, 10-11 Nov. 2005)

A change of State government should see a quick reversal of State government department policy.

No doubt Premier Beattie will wish to thank Mr Flanagan for adding yet another election issue to Premier Beattie's busy schedule ...