Brisbane Lord Mayor - declare state of emergency ...

Calls by the Brisbane Lord Mayor for the State government to declare a state of emergency on water.

From the Courier Mail:

State of Emergency Call

LORD Mayor Campbell Newman has told the State Government to take responsibility for the water crisis gripping southeast Queensland, and warned that things will only get worse without urgent action.

In a dramatic escalation of tensions between the state and Australia's largest municipality, Cr Newman said residents were paying the price for the failure of successive state governments to build water infrastructure in the past 20 years.

He repeated calls for the Government to declare a state of emergency on water, which would enable it to take control of water supplies and fast-track water infrastructure.

"I urge the State Government to expedite the delivery of vital water supply infrastructure and make every reasonable attempt to improve the water security and future of this region as a matter of urgency," Cr Newman said.

"When the region's combined dam capacity falls to 30 per cent, which is expected to occur in late May . . . I will formally call on the State Government to declare a water supply emergency."

The renewed push, which has the backing of the majority of councils except the Gold Coast, followed Water Minister Henry Palaszczuk's refusal to intervene in the crisis.

Mr Palaszczuk said he believed there was enough water to last the region another 2½ years, provided strict restrictions were adhered to.

But Cr Newman said by that time water reserves would be down to 10 per cent.

He said it was "unfortunate" the Government refused to acknowledge the depth of the crisis when only it had the money to "deal with the legacy of 20 years of neglect".

He also said residents had made great sacrifices to save water, but it was distressing that level-three restrictions, which include a complete ban on outdoor hosing, were only weeks away.
"Local councils throughout southeast Queensland share the concerns of local residents and businesses who think it is . . . unfair for them to experience all the pain and sacrifice," he said.

See - More pressure on Beattie government.