State government proposes water solutions for Toowoomba ...

As always, it's necessary to read between the lines.

State government press release:

Premier and Minister for Trade The Honourable Peter Beattie

4 December 2006

State Cabinet addresses Toowoomba Water Needs

Toowoomba: State Cabinet today signed off on a number of recommendations from the Toowoomba Water Supply Taskforce designed to help alleviate the water crisis facing local residents and businesses.

Premier Peter Beattie and Deputy Premier Anna Bligh joined Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine to make the announcement today at Community Cabinet in Toowoomba.

"The worst drought on record is hitting this region hard," Mr Beattie said.

"Dam levels have fallen below 19% and level 5 water restrictions have been in place for the last couple of months. After the recent rejection by Toowoomba residents of using recycled water for residential use, we set up the Taskforce to examine a range of alternative short and long term water supply options."

"There is no doubt that recycling was the most viable option nevertheless residents made it clear they did not want to proceed down that path at this stage."

"We need to look at other options that we can get up and running to help local Councils meet local water supply needs."

Mr Beattie said State Cabinet had approved as a long term solution the connection Toowoomba to the South East Queensland Water Grid via a new 47 kilometre pipeline from Wivenhoe Dam to Perseverance Dam.

Cabinet also approved a series of short term measures to help try and prevent any further water restrictions.

These include:

• $6 million in funding to the Jondaryan Council to bring forward the reinstatement of the Oakey town borefield. Reinstating the borefield will involve refurbishment of existing bores and the construction of a reverse osmosis water treatment plant

• $2.4 million to supplement Toowoomba's water supplies by tapping into groundwater from the Great Artesian Basin.

• $307,392 for the construction of a further 20 new bores in the area on top of $1.36 million funding already received as part of its Water Supply Basalt Aquifer Bores Project.

Ms Bligh said if Toowoomba was connected to the SEQ Water Grid it would have to examine the issue of recycling again as part of a broader water supply strategy for the whole region.

"On March 17 next year all residents serviced by the SEQ Water Grid - including Toowoomba - will have their say on introducing recycled water into existing water supplies," Ms Bligh said.

"Climate change is having a marked impact on our water security and we must continue to look at all options for future supply."

"One option is recycled water for residential use - not as part of our drought response but as part of our on-going water supply in good times and bad."

Mr Shine welcomed the recommendations and praised the work of the Toowoomba Water Supply Taskforce.

"Across the region and particularly in Toowoomba the drought has exposed the vulnerability of water supplies previously thought to be secure into the future," Mr Shine said.

"We need to put everything on the table and look at all the options to secure long term water supplies for our growing region."

"The Taskforce will continue to monitor water supplies while the drought continues and advise on any other supply options."