Anti-recycling campaigners voice their defiance ...

From the Chronicle

29 May 2006

CADS gathers to voice defiance

Water debate rages

Anti-recycling campaigners voice their defiance

'No' campaigners convinced of other sources of water

By Sarah Balderson

AS THE words of 80s song, We're Not Gonna Take It, boomed out over the auditorium, CADS (Citizens Against Drinking Sewage) launched its "It's OK to say no" campaign at full volume.

More than 900 people attended Saturday's forum, the first public meeting since the water recycling poll was announced for July 29.

Member for Toowoomba South Mike Horan said never before had an issue so inflamed the Toowoomba community.

"I have never seen anything tear this beautiful city apart like this," Mr Horan said.

"The issue of recycled water has been forced upon us.

"What we do need is a source of water & and there are some very significant sources available for Toowoomba. Mr Horan believed other viable water sources included building a dam at Emu Creek, which would nearly double the city's water storage.

He also outlined recycled water for non-drinking purposes such as watering sporting complexes and industrial use.

Other water source options spoken about at the forum were sustainable supplies of underground water in the Condamine alluvium, a pipeline from Wivenhoe Dam to Cressbrook and water supply from natural gas fields and the Great Artesian Basin.

"There are other options, Mr Horan said.

"They should be our first options – not the last." The meeting coincided with the lodgement of the No case statement for the July 29 referendum.

Cr Graham Barron said he and his two "renegade" colleagues pushing the "No" vote – Crs Lyle Shelton and Keith Beer – would not claim any of the $5000 allocated.

Cr Lyle Shelton was greeted with cheers as he spoke about his qualms with drinking recycled water and recalled an interview on ABC with New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma.

"In the interview he says ... there are 'still unresolved issues with the health authorities'," Cr Shelton said.

"I believe we are being played for fools in Toowoomba."

Property developer and former mayor Clive Berghofer admitted being frightened by the prospect of recycled water in the town.

"It is the perception of it I don't like," Mr Berghofer said.

"Right through Australia we are known as the Garden City ... now we are the 's--- city' or 'Poowoomba'."

Mr Berghofer said 75,000 people a year were moving to Queensland and at the moment many were moving to Toowoomba.

He said Brisbane and other South-East Queensland towns would capitalise on Toowoomba using recycled water.

"It will do the city so much damage it is frightening," Mr Berghofer said.

"I have put so much money into this city.

"The last thing I want to do is see it die."

Toowoomba identity Snow Manners, who has been vocal in the water recycling debate, referred to the six "Yes" voting councillors as a "six pack of Singapore sewer sippers".

"We're not here to argue with experts. I am not a water expert," Mr Manners said.
"I am waiting for council to bring in an economic expert and tell us drinking recycled water will not hurt the economy.

"I believe it would."

Mr Manners said he believed people travelling would stop in Warwick and say "let's skip Toowoomba and push on through to Esk."

"There will be a sign in the RACQ book: don't drink the water',' Mr Manners said.

"That will be the perception of Toowoomba all over the world."

The meeting was also attended by Jondaryan Shire Mayor Peter Taylor and CADS Co-ordinator Rosemary Morley.

Source - the Chronicle - 'No' campaigners convinced of other water sources (plus additional material from print edition).