Minister Palaszczuk - Toowoomba can get water from Traveston Dam ...

In State Parliament on 11 May 2006, the following comments were made in the context of discussion on why Toowoomba City Council elected not to become part of the new Water Commission:

Mr Seeney: ... When we look at the planning responsibility of this commission to deal with the water issue, it is obvious that some of the most likely scenarios for the solution that will eventually be found for the Toowoomba water supply situation will be to access some of the extra water storage or extra water opportunities that overlap the region covered by the Water Commission.

Mr Palaszczuk: From the Traveston Dam.

...

Mr Seeney: Yes, I know. The minister said, for the benefit of members who did not hear it, that Toowoomba could get water from Traveston Dam. I think the people of Toowoomba will be waiting a heck of a long time to get water from the Traveston Dam. I think there are a number of opportunities to build some water infrastructure in the area that is covered by the Water Commission - water infrastructure which can be delivered, unlike the absurd proposals put forward by the government, without any backing or any basis, that will allow water to be made available to the people of Toowoomba.

Source: Qld Parliament Hansard - 11 May 2006 - page 1743.


Now, if Toowoomba will be able to access water from Traveston Dam, as Minister Palaszczuk has stated, why is there any need to proceed with Mayor Thorley's controversial recycled sewage project?

The State Opposition opposes the construction of Traveston Dam, believing there are better locations. However, it is interesting that the Qld government is now saying that Toowoomba can source its water from one of the new dams ...