Toowoomba Water Task Force stumbles ...

From the Chronicle:

Changes to Water Task Force

5 October 2006

by Rebecca Vonhoff

THE last time Toowoomba's Water Task Force met, the city was on Level 4 restrictions.

That was in mid-August and Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine was preparing for an election.

Since then, Mr Shine has been re-elected and appointed Minister for Natural Resources and Water.

This ministerial role, Mr Shine says, precludes his being on the Task Force because effectively he would be making recommendations to himself.

"Since the first meeting of Task Force, I have become the Minister responsible for Water and it is inappropriate for me to continue on the taskforce," he said.

Mr Shine's exit from the group – created to find a solution to Toowoomba's dire water shortage – is not the only change.

Ken Murphy, of Commerce Queensland, has been included on the Task Force and Scott Spencer has replaced Bob McCarthy as the department head of Natural Resources and Water.

However, Mr Murphy was made aware of his appointment only after other members of the group and the media were informed.

Further confusion occurred yesterday morning as word of Mr Shine's departure reached some members "through the grapevine".

Mr Murphy said he was delighted with his appointment which meant Toowoomba and the region's commercial interests would be taken into account. "I'm very pleased that we're able to ensure business gets a voice," Mr Murphy said.

"It allows a more commercial approach to recommendations."

Federal involvement in local water management is expected to play a greater role since the creation of the Office of Water Resources and announcement of Malcolm Turnbull's leadership.

During a recent meeting between Mr Murphy and Mr Turnbull, the Office of Water Resources head "stressed the importance of getting moving", said Mr Murphy.

"It's still early days yet, but I believe there will be a very strong involvement from the Federal Government," he said.

The Water Task Force has until December 18 to make final recommendations to Mr Shine and Premier Peter Beattie.

Task Force member Peter Swannell said the "monumental task" in front of the group would necessitate more regular meetings.

See - Toowoomba Water Task Force stumbles.