Wait, there's yet another option ...

After Toowoomba City Council spent months telling Toowoomba residents that there were no other options to the recycled sewage project, they seem to just keep popping up - this one even surprising Toowoomba City Council.

From The Chronicle:

22 September 2006
Page 5

Dam could be solution to water problem

After months of water fighting an as-yet-unheard-of proposal has emerged.

Nathan Dam near Taroom could be the answer to Toowoomba's prayers, according to Everald Compton, a man of many hats and backgrounds.

The State Government has given to go-ahead for the dam but until yesterday few had considered Toowoomba taking from the supply.

Toowoomba City Council Deputy Mayor Joe Ramia admitted he had not come across Nathan Dam as an option either before or after water recycling was knocked back in the July referendum.

But if it came up over the next few months it would be out of council's hands.

"At this stage it's in the hands of the State Government," Cr Ramia said, referring to the recently-formed taskforce that is expected to hand down a decision about where Toowoomba will get its water from within about three months.

Mr Compton said he would submit the Nathan Dam proposal to the taskforce which is also considering the Norwin and coal seam gas options among others.

The dam needed to be built to service the 15 coal mines along the Toowoomba-to-Gladstone stretch of the inland rail line from Melbourne to Gladstone with a guaranteed water supply.


It's interesting that Toowoomba City Council seems to have washed its hands of anything to do with resolving Toowoomba's water issues - saying it's the State government's problem now.

It's worth remembering that Council allocated $22 million in this year's budget for the Water Futures project - money which can now be allocated towards sensible solutions to ensure short and long-term water security for Toowoomba ...