Water debate 'already hurting city' ...

From the Chronicle (annotated):

Water debate 'already hurting city'

16 June 2006

Water Futures opponent Clive Berghofer said a drop in Toowoomba's rental market and a slowdown in construction was attributable to the prospect of recycling water for drinking.

Asked if the rental market drop could be as a result of a general drop in rental markets throughout Australia, Mr Berghofer said Brisbane's rental market had not dropped and where it was near impossible to rent a home. [Note - similar to Brisbane, Sydney rental vacancy levels are at record lows.]

He said he rang a national pipe supplier recently to be told Toowoomba sales had dropped.

"They said they're flat strap except for Toowoomba.

Construction has just stopped in Toowoomba.

Asked why national retailers Fantastic Furniture, Coles and Woolworths had committed to new Toowoomba and Highfields stores where recycling was proposed, Mr Berghofer said those deals had started before recycling was proposed.

"You can't pull out of some of those things because a lot of work goes into doing it and you just can't back pedal."

Mr Berghofer said local abattoirs were worried.

"What is it going to do the food industry?" he said.

"How are we going to sell our beef to Japan?

"With the slightest bit of contamination they will condemn the whole container load.

"Japanese are absolutely paranoid about recycled water. "What's it going to do to jobs?"

Mr Berghofer said people were frightened of speaking out against the recycling proposal.

"They're frightened of criticism they are going to get from various organisations and newspapers and things.

"They tell us (the No campaign) they want to give us money but are scared to open their mouths themselves.

"I'm one of the silly few who will speak their mind."

He said many organisations and individuals in favour of recycling for drinking had a financial interest in its success.

Source - the Chronicle - Water debate 'already hurting city'.


Mayor Thorley should be addressing the concerns of businesses and the community. At the few meetings she has attended, she says nothing, refusing to answer questions. Then she skips off to another conference. (Mayor Thorley's next conference appearance is next Monday.)

The Mayor was elected to represent the people.

Unfortunately the position of Mayor seems to have been vacant for some time ...