The 4350water Blog highlights some of the issues relating to proposals for potable reuse in Toowoomba and South East Qld. 4350water blog looks at related political issues as well.

Friday, March 31, 2006

Commerce Qld calls for urgent action on water alternatives ...

Latest press release by Commerce Queensland:

31 March 2006

Commerce Queensland calls for urgent action on water alternatives

Commerce Queensland Regional Chairman, Ken Murphy, today expressed his concern that too much emphasis is being placed on the Toowoomba Water Futures project at the expense of alternative options.

Mr Murphy said that the project, which if accepted at the upcoming referendum, would not come on-line until 2012 and could leave Toowoomba short of water in the meantime.

"Toowoomba City Council is investing a lot of time and ratepayers' money into just one possible project, which if successful won't deliver water to the taps for another six years," Mr Murphy said.

"Council has outlined that even with extreme water restrictions, present indications are that we will run out of water in 18 months."

"We are concerned that the general community is being pressured into making an unpalatable decision about drinking recycled water, under the impression this will solve the water shortage", he said.

Mr Murphy said the reality of the situation is that other options need to be implemented well before this project could come on-line.

"The Premier recently confirmed that he is discussing other confidential options with the Mayor, so we know that they exist," Mr Murphy said.

"Business and the general community deserve to know what is in place for the short term and what Council's Plan B is if the Referendum is unsuccessful. Simply saying it is under control is not enough."

Commerce Queensland is calling on the Toowoomba City Council and State Government to expedite these alternate options and urgently publicly announce their plans to ensure that Toowoomba does not run out of water.

"We will continue to advocate utilising all available alternatives to develop a Regional Water Plan in order to drought proof the region."

In the interim, the short-term water supply must be urgently addressed, as by 2012 there will simply be no water to recycle.

See - Commerce Queensland Press Release.

Why the game is now harder for the Council ...

Things have changed for the Toowoomba City Council since the end of June 2005 when they submitted the NWC application for funding for the recycled sewage project.

Up until June 2005, Council had kept the project rather secret, burying costs in forward budget estimates.

There must have been a flurry of activity at the Council towards 30 June as they hurried to complete the application. It does seem that only the small "deal team" were privy to the contents of the application.

It took many months for the application to be surrendered by the Council to members of the Toowoomba community following a Freedom of information request. The Council certainly dragged its heels on the request. Some say that Council would still be trying to avoid releasing the application if it weren't for the resignation of the Council CEO who departed to Logan city.

Was the release of the application his parting gift to the water debate?

We'll probably never know for sure.

However, the release of the NWC application opened a Pandora's box.

For months, Council had been telling the Toowoomba community that there were no other options and that the recycled water project was the only way to solve Toowoomba water problems during the current drought.

The NWC application showed that the Council's costings of the alternatives were suspect. (We already knew that the State government had rubber stamped the Council suspect figures.)

It also showed two major deficiencies - the treatment of the Gowrie Creek irrigators and the disposal of the RO waste stream

For Gowrie Creek irrigators, the news was not good. They would lose their water completely - it seems the Council gave zero consideration to their concerns.

For the RO waste stream, Council were advised that they better negotiate with Acland Coal to get them to take it otherwise the project would cost another $66 million as 600 hectares of evaporation ponds would be required. Council were advised that the smaller 68 hectare evaporation pond alternative was "full of uncertainties".

Council has still not reached agreement with Acland Coal. Recent press reports indicate that they were expecting to get high quality recycled water from the Council, not the RO waste stream. It remains unclear how the coal workers (and their union) will feel about handling this waste product.

So it's clear that the Council did not really consider the impact of the recycled sewage project on existing water resources and the disposal of the RO waste stream.

What's also clear is the Council did not consider Toowoomba residents and the surrounding shires.

The Mayor's "drink it or you can buy bottled water" approach to community engagement has done far more damage to the recycled water industry than could ever have been imagined.

One researcher has labelled the Council's approach as "pathetic".

What must other industry players think?

And the Council now faces the loss of several surrounding shires as water customers should they proceed with the recycled sewage project.

What impact will that have on the financial viability of the project?

Finally, we come to the most recent turn of events.

For months, Mayor Thorley has claimed that 70% of the community support her project.

Opponents denied this was the case. It would indeed be extraordinary if Toowoomba bucked all known research on this issue.

The Mayor was put on the spot on the 7.30 Report and stated that she "didn't have a clue" how many supported her project.

Perhaps she knew that a video image of her mentioning 70% support could easily come back to haunt her.

Her comments on the 7.30 Report seem to reflect the Council's real view - they have no idea what support there is in the community for their recycled sewage project.

The Federal government's decision to link funding for the project with a referendum (and other conditions) certainly seems to have had an impact.

Council affiliated support group Pure H20 packed up their kit and went home, declaring their campaign a success. For a group whose stated goal was to present a 20,000 signature petition in support of the Mayor's project to the House of Representatives in Canberra, they have an odd view of success. They packed up without their petition ever seeing the light of day.

Other parties close to the Council seem to have conceded defeat, believing that the Council will never win at a referendum.

And this week, perhaps the ultimate admission by the Council's Director of Engineering Services Kevin Flanagan. At a Water Facts meeting, he admitted that Water Futures was NEVER intended to get Toowoomba through the current drought.

This admission is the clearest indication yet that the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor and those working on the Water Futures project have perpetrated a fraud on the community.

On numerous occasions, the Council has argued that the community must accept the recycled sewage project because there are no other options. Now we hear that the Water Futures project won't solve the current water problems and Council will source water from bores and the State government will pipe water in from "somewhere".

As an example, if your doctor told you that you must have a operation and that there were no other options and, right before the operation, he then tells you that the operation won't actually fix your ailment, you'd be pretty annoyed, wouldn't you. You'd think seriously about changing doctors!

How is the Council's action any different? It's not - if it looks and sounds like misleading and deceptive conduct it probably is.

Life is now much tougher for the Council. All eyes are on them. Everyone is watching their conduct. Is the latest action by the Mayor a breach of the Councillors Code of Conduct? What other legislation has been breached? Will the Council be sued by the irrigators or will some other party obtain an injunction? How will they deal with the referendum? Will ratepayers' money be spent funding the "yes" campaign?

Privately, they may be wishing that it would all go away. However, they brought it on themselves and have only themselves to blame for the mess they are in ...

Irrigators hold off on legal action - for now ...

Following discussions with MP Malcolm Turnbull, the Oakey and Gowrie Creek irrigators are holding off on legal action against the Toowoomba City Council over its controversial Water Futures project.

As part of any Federal government funding, there must be a satisfactory plan for dealing with Gowrie Creek and the irrigators concerns.

Under the NWC application, there is no such plan - they get zip! - so Council will need to start modifying its proposal to ensure that the irrigators don't drag the Council into court.

The fact that the irrigators are having discussions with the Federal government must worry the Council. It makes it much harder for them to spin a line to the Feds that the irrigators are happy with whatever half-baked solution they may offer.

The days of half-baked solutions and misleading people are over - there are just too many people watching now ...

From ABC News:

31 March 2006

Irrigators hold off on water futures legal action

Oakey and Gowrie Creek irrigators say they will not pursue legal action over Toowoomba's water futures project until they see what management plans the city council has in place for them.

Under the plan, sewage from Toowoomba that would normally be treated and sent along Gowrie Creek will be recycled for the city's drinking supply.

The Gowrie-Oakey Creek Irrigators Association says the council does not have a compensation plan for farmers.

President Rod Sleba says he met the Prime Minister's special adviser on water, Malcolm Turnbull, to discuss the issue.

"Mr Turnbull understands our position and said that part of the granting of the money would be the referendum plus a management, I guess, process, put in place that satisfies the irrigators on Gowrie-Oakey Creek," he said.

See - Legal action on hold.

Thursday, March 30, 2006

Mr Flanagan - Water Futures was never intended to get Toowoomba through the current drought ...

Finally, the truth comes out.

At yesterday's Water Facts meeting to discuss water source options (as reported in today's Chronicle), the Council's Director of Engineering Services Kevin Flanagan made a shocking admission:

Water Futures, the Mayor's controversial recycled sewage project, was NEVER intended to get Toowoomba through the current drought.

What?@!?@?

Since July 2005, Mayor Thorley and Deputy Mayor Ramia have been telling Toowoomba residents that their recycled sewage project will solve Toowoomba's water source issues.

And then at the first real meeting of Water Facts, the Council's Director of Engineering Services tells us that the project was never intended to get Toowoomba through the current drought and that, if needed, the State government would pipe water from somewhere as it did when Gladstone faced a similar crisis.

I'm sorry Mr Flanagan but what the @?!?&*? have you and the Council been telling the Toowoomba community for the past nine months?

Weren't you telling us that there are no other options and that the recycled sewage project would solve Toowoomba's water source problems?

Weren't you scaring the community into thinking that the water would run out unless the recycled sewage project proceeded?

Forgive us for being more than a little surprised!

What this says is that Flanagan, Thorley and Ramia have been so preoccupied with trying the shove their recycled sewage project down people's throats that they have not planned for the immediate future. They have not planned for the current drought and the need for other water source options.

This is Council mismanagement at its very worst.

Mr Flanagan gets some marks for finally coming forward with the truth but it seems unlikely that it will garner him much favour with the community.

If you only circulate one article from this blog, it should be this one. Use the email link to email it to at least one person in Toowoomba you know and ask them to email it on to at least one more person in Toowoomba.

The truth is now out - so make sure everyone knows ...

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Mayor Thorley off on another jaunt ...

The well-travelled Mayor is off on another jaunt - this time to Albury to talk about security cameras.

While we know the Mayor's love of interstate and international travel (anything to avoid the difficult issues at home), could she not have done this by phone?

Wonder who's picking up the bill for this one - the poor Toowoomba ratepayers again?

See - Thorley to stay away from Toowoomba until 2008.

Sydney shortlists 3 firms for recycled water ...

... for industrial and commercial use.

See - Up to six billion litres of recycled water a year to commercial and industrial customers.

Motel owners - watch out for the peeping Councillor ...

Councillor Sue Englart is concerned about water wastage.

In fact, she's so concerned about what might be going on in the privacy of motel rooms around Toowoomba, she's asked the Council to investigate regulating the use of spa baths in motel rooms.

Council Committee meeting minutes for 21-22 March 2006 show the Council approved a future briefing on the issue.

Will it include photos?

Expect a nosy Councillor peeping in your window next time you're filling a spa bath in one of Toowoomba's many motels ...

Council required to raise dam spillways ...

The Toowoomba City Council must be wondering whether they will ever get a break on water issues.

After spending the past 9 months trying to scare the community into accepting its controversial recycled sewage project - the rumours about the water running out by last Christmas were interesting - Council has now been asked by the State government to raise the dam spillways to protect against future floods.

The Council Committee meeting minutes for the meetings on 21-22 March 2006 show that, under the State government's proposed "Guidelines for Acceptable Flood Capacity for Dams", the Council will be required to undertake the following work:

- Cressbrook dam - dam must be upgraded as soon as possible (with 5 years) - upgrade cost - $25-30 million (with a subsidy of $10-12 million).

- Cooby Dam - dam must be upgraded by October 2015 - - upgrade cost - $10-15 million (with a subsidy of $4-6 million).

- Perseverance dam - no analysis to date as it is immediately upstream from Cressbrook dam.

The Council believes this work will have severe impacts on its forward financial plan - i.e. they don't have the money - too busy spending it promoting ill-conceived recycled sewage projects - and will need to ask ratepayers to pay for it.

Council will try to renegotiate the timing for completing this work.

See - Council minutes.

Postscript - seems the Chronicle reads blogs - see related article 31 March.

Recycled sewage operating costs increase by $80 million p.a. ...

More details on Gowrie Creek farmers' concerns published in today's Chronicle.

This issue highlights another deficiency of the NWC application.

The Toowoomba City Council glossed over what will happen with the RO waste stream, particularly after Acland Coal mine closes. This lack of attention to detail will end up costing Toowoomba ratepayers at least another $66 million to build the required evaporation ponds.

Now it turns out that the Council or the State government will need to compensate the Gowrie Creek farmers for ruining their livelihoods - to the tune of $80 million per annum.

The costs are certainly mounting up. For a $70 million project, the project costs are expected to blow out by another $66 MILLION and annual operating costs (including irrigator compensation) by another $80 MILLION per annum.

Who actually prepared the NWC application?

The numbers just DON'T ADD UP ...

Gowrie Ck farmers take fight to capital

GOWRIE Creek farmers will take their battle to Canberra, requesting compensation for the loss of livelihood expected if Toowoomba’s water recycling project goes ahead.

Gowrie Oakey Creek Irrigators Association president Rod Sleba said the area’s 70 irrigators would lose a combined $80 million a year unless Toowoomba City Council agreed to continue releasing flows down the creek for farmers.

Mr Sleba will meet federal water spokesman Malcolm Turnbull tomorrow asking him to assist farmers who fear having to leave the land if their only water source is cut off.

He said there would be no water left for farmers if Toowoomba recycled 5000Ml a year because the water available would go to Millmerran Power Station and Acland Coal.

“We have a legal opinion that tells us we are entitled to some compensation,” Mr Sleba said. “But who should pay it, Toowoomba City Council or DNR (the Department of Natural Resources Mines and Water), we don’t know.”

Mr Sleba said about 15Ml a day evaporated from Cooby Dam while only the equivalent 15Ml a day would be recycled back in.

Deputy Mayor Joe Ramia said council would release some water “to keep the creek alive” but admitted it would not be enough for farmers.

He said the creek issue was just another of the problems that had to be resolved before council would receive federal funding for its Water Futures recycling project.

In a statement, Mr Turnbull said water management plans for the irrigators would “underpin” the success of the water recycling project.

Concerns raised over water project conditions ...

Deputy Mayor Ramia decides to pass the buck on irrigator water to the State government.

Even though the Council's recycled sewage project will dry up Gowrie Creek - they might give them some water - but getting water in the creek is a State government responsibility (even though it's the Council drying it up). Follow that logic if you can.

I'm sure Premier Beattie will enjoy sorting this one out.

From ABC News

Concerns raised over water project conditions

Concerns have been raised that Toowoomba City Council, in south-east Queensland, will not be able to meet all the criteria needed to gain Federal Government funding for its water recycling project.

A referendum to decide on whether the project should go ahead is not the only condition that needs to be met.

If residents vote yes to the plan, nearly $23 million will be handed over by the Commonwealth to Toowoomba council so it can recycle sewage for drinking.

Toowoomba lobbyist Snow Manners says that is not the only clause.

He says council must meet health and safety regulations yet to be introduced by the State Government.

He says the situation with irrigators who draw from Gowrie-Oakey Creek must also be resolved.

"Recycling water is going to run Gowrie Creek dry," he said.

Toowoomba deputy Mayor Joe Ramia says council has already considered setting some water aside.

"There possibly could be conditions where we have to leave maybe one or two thousand megalitres of water through that creek each year," he said.

He says water running down the creek is the responsibility of the State Government.

See - Blame State government for Council action.

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Let's talk about pipeline costs ...

Soon ...

Mayor Thorley - all information to be made available ...

Comments by Mayor Thorley on the Federal government decision:

“I believe that logic and reason will prevail.”

“We just need to ensure that all the information is made available to people.”

We are going to hold you to that statement - it should include information on all options - not just the same old slick overview and dismissal of options by the Council as we have seen to date.

Director of Engineering Services Flanagan, Mayor Thorley and Deputy Mayor Ramia, consider yourselves on notice - play an honest and straight game from here on out.

Dr June Marks lets rip on the Council ...

Comments in today's Chronicle by Dr June Marks from Flinders University:

Eight cities in the United States rejected drinking recycled water because there had been no attempt to engage the community.

Dr Marks said it was “pathetic” Toowoomba had not learnt from others’ mistakes.

“They have really brought the community in too late,” Dr Marks said. “When there are perceptions of risk it is up to the community to decide the level of risk they are willing to accept.”

Long before revealing its plan to add reclaimed sewage water to one of the city’s dams, Dr Marks said the council should have sought residents’ opinions on water issues, including perceived supply problems, and possible solutions.

In that way people would have educated themselves and in the end might have come to their own positive conclusions on recycling.

“They should have found out whether residents - could identify a problem with the water supply and identify ideas of how to deal with it,” Dr Marks said. “Then they wouldn’t have got people’s backs up.

“It’s a very long process; it could go on for years,” she said.

Seems that Dr Marks is not a fan of the Mayor's "you'll drink it or you can buy bottled water" approach to community engagement ...

Councillor Shelton's comments on other options ...

Councillor Shelton makes some interesting comments on the need for the Qld government to finally take a long hard look at the other water source options which exist.

See - Lyle's blog.

Goodbye Mr N. ...

(with sincere apologies to Elton John and Bernie Taupin)

Goodbye Mr N.
Though I never knew you at all
You tried to create a presence
While those around you brawled
They crawled out of the chambers
And they whispered into your brain
They set you on a treadmill
And they tempted you with fame.

And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a spokesman of the firm
Never knowing who to cling to
When other water options were learned
And I would have liked to have known you
But I was not kindred
Your letters dried up long before
The water ever did.

Getting signatures was tough
The toughest role you ever played
Council looked for a saviour
And falling short was the price you paid
Even when you left
Oh the press still hounded you
All the papers had to say
Was that your petition ended in the loo.

And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a spokesman without doubt
Never knowing who to cling to
When the truth came out
And I would have liked to have known you
But I was not kindred
Your letters dried up long before
The water ever did.

Goodbye Mr N.
From the silent majority
Who saw you as less of a saviour
But as someone obsessed with wee.

And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a spokesman who enjoyed a whinge
Never knowing who to cling to
When the rain set in
And I would have liked to have known you
But I was not kindred
Your letters dried up long before
The water ever did ...

Monday, March 27, 2006

How much does a referendum cost?

Comments on WIN News:

WATER RECYCLING

Referendum to cost ratepayers

The community referendum that will be held to make a decision on the Water Futures project is estimated to cost ratepayers at least a million dollars.


Toowoomba City Council is currently investigating how it will be held, as opponents fire up for a massive campaign.

See - Referendum cost.

Deputy Mayor Ramia claims the referendum will cost $1 million - maybe he can use some of the $3 million Recycled Sewage Visitors Centre funds to pay for it.

How much of ratepayers' money will be spent by Flanagan, Thorley and Ramia on the YES campaign?

Do you want your ratepayer $s spent in this way?

New Dalby power station gets green light ...

The new gas-fired power station at Dalby gets the green light.

New power station = more demand for gas = more gas water.

But there are no other options, are there Mayor Thorley?

From ABC News:

Power station to boost Dalby region

More jobs will be created on the Darling Downs after the green light was officially given for a new $30 million power station to be built about 40 kilometres west of Dalby.

Arrow Energy has signed an agreement with the Australian Pipeline Trust, which will own and operate the power station using gas from Arrow's Daandine fields.

Arrow Energy's chief executive Nick Davis says work is expected to begin almost immediately, with the project to be finished by the end of this year.

"Well, it again means more industrial activity in the area, there will be uses of goods and services from within Dalby and local surrounds," he said.

"Arrow Energy has spent about $35 million in the area over the last 12 months and this will cause further funds to be directed into the local economy."

See - More gas = more gas water.

THAT article from the Courier Mail ...

Courier Mail 25 March 2006

Don't poo-poo it until you try it

CHEERS, Toowoomba. Or Poowoomba, which I believe it will soon be officially called.

I think that works.

The emphasis is on the Woo part as opposed to the Poo, I don’t think I need tell you that, but obviously by the time a city makes the decision to drink from the public trough, it has let go of any vanity about its name.

But I’m not here today to make fun of Poowoomba, no I’m not. I want to let the people of Poowoomba know that. And I want to reassure them that recycled water will NEVER be used on Queens Park and bottled Evian will continue to be shipped in as usual.

I’m not sure if the mayor of Poowoomba has Googled the words “recycled drinking water” on the internet at all? There is quite a bit of information there, mostly warnings about what to do if you accidentally drink recycled water. I’m no lawyer, but the word accidentally caught my eye.

There are also warnings about not letting your dog drink it either, but I think that’s just common sense.

It’s a tough sell, I thought as I watched the effluential mayor of Poowoomba Dianne Thorley, dressed in a drinking-water brown suit and truckers cap with HMAS Poowoomba written on it, on national television this week.

That’ll be a big fat contract, whoever gets to market this drinking-water sandwich to the ratepayers. Lots of room for some creative sloganeering though, wouldn’t you say? And I tell you what, if I was the mayor of Poowoomba I’d be signing Dr Karl Kruszelnicki up immediately. I’ve heard him speak fondly of faeces on more than one occasion over the years.

The council has a feisty opposition in the Citizens Against Drinking Sewage. And since they put it that way, I’m right there with them. I’d also be supportive of Citizens Against Eating Vomit, or Citizens Against Life Ruining Cyclones, should those lobby groups want to get in touch anytime.

But CADS members should feel safe knowing that the Poowoomba council will be putting in a very, very stringent filtering system.

For instance, Poowoomba residents will be drinking only their own waste and not, say, the leftovers from the people of Ipswich. And in the unlikely event there should ever be any shortfall, drinking water can be trucked in from Brisbane’s leafy western suburbs just down the road, where there is a high percentage of lawyers, doctors and private school children, your AB quintile, and apparently that’s where you find the high quality drinking water that doesn’t stink.

And then of course there is the membrane science that’s involved in this reverse Midas process. It’s a bit of rigmarole, and I’m not totally across it just yet, but nobody who lives in Poowoomba should be concerned by the use of the word membrane, which seems to suggest a very thin buffer.

I’m sure by the time that sewage is in your crystal jug it’ll be fine. They pour peroxide on it somewhere along the way, and you know how that cleans your bathroom. You’ll be right.

I mean, look, have you ever heard of a scientist getting anything wrong?

The only thing you might have to do is watch what you eat a bit more closely than before. You can probably expect some sort of legislation governing the consumption of certain foods, and possibly a roster system for when you can have a curry night. Even numbered houses will be Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. No meat to be eaten Mondays. Something like that, Cr Thorley is still to iron those details out.

So to recap: the water we wash our clothes in isn’t safe to use on the garden, but it’s totally fine for people in Toowoomba to drink sewage.

Council still hasn't approved Water Futures project ...

As consideration is given to the numerous hurdles that the Toowoomba City Council must deal with as part of the Federal government funding approval process, don't forget that the Council has not yet approved the Water Futures project.

For several months (July-October 2005), the Mayor claimed the project had been approved by Council.

Then, in October 2005, she turned around on that story (sound familiar?).

On 19 October 2005, the Chronicle quoted her as saying (in response to a request for a referendum on the issue):"[a referendum] about what? There's no project until we get Federal funding. Once we get an answer [from the NWC], we have a project to sell."

So apart from the public debate on the issue, it still needs to be discussed and debated at Council meetings.

Should be some interesting meetings to attend ...

Sunday, March 26, 2006

Referendum campaign begins ...

From ABC News

Toowoomba objectors begin anti-recycling campaign

A group opposed to Toowoomba's controversial water recycling project says it will begin a campaign asking residents to reject the plan at a referendum later this year.

The Federal Government has agreed to provide $22.9 million in funding for the project as long as it is put to voters by the end of September.

The Toowoomba Council wants to drought-proof the city by recycling sewage for the city's drinking supply. [Note - the recycled sewage project will NOT drought-proof Toowoomba.]

Rosemary Morley, from the Citizens Against Drinking Sewage (CADS) group, says the people will finally get to have their say.

"We need to look at the other options and work with the Government who will bring them for us," she said.

She says CADS members will actively campaign for a no vote.

"From all the polls existing it would be about 70 per cent against," Ms Morley said.

The Toowoomba City Council has yet to set a date for the referendum.

See - Showdown on recycled sewage.

Let's slow the flow of Thorley water - just vote NO ...

Saturday, March 25, 2006

Mayor Thorley - running out of scare tactics ...

The Mayor's latest "scare tactic" statement to mislead the community is in today's Australian:

"Ms Thorley said water charges could rise 400 per cent if water had to be piped in from other regions. "

See - Town to vote on drinking sewage.

If Mayor Thorley has ANY basis whatsoever for making this statement, she should provide the evidence.

The one benefit of the Mayor continuing to make these statements is they are easy to contradict thereby exposing more of her lies.

Comments from Commerce Qld:

“Based on approximately 30,000 ratepayers, even at Council’s inflated values, the Condamine Alluvium project would only cost an extra $117 per rate payer. That is less than 32 cents a day. The cheapest is not always the best option. The region’s reputation is at stake and 32 cents may be a small price to pay,” Mr Murphy said.

"Council has also been quick to disregard Queensland Gas Company’s proposal to invest large sums of money to assist with drought proofing South West Queensland." - Commerce Queensland Press Release, 29 November 2005

Even on the Council's own "massaged" figures, the cost differential is nowhere near 400%.

The Mayor's current problem is she is running out of scare tactics - she can no longer say there are no other options, she can no longer say the water will run out - so she will try to scare Toowoomba residents by saying water prices will skyrocket under other options.

And this from a Council which is currently reviewing water charges.

And from a Council which wants to introduce recycled sewage for drinking because it's a money-spinner!

The real issue is how long will the Toowoomba community put up with such conduct?

Friday, March 24, 2006

Just say NO ...

Voters to pass judgment on Council ...

The decision by the Federal government to approve the Water Futures project, subject to majority approval by Toowoomba city voters at a referendum to be held by 30 September 2006, shifts the blame game back to the Mayor.

For months, she has tried to blame the Federal government for holding up her controversial project.

No more.

The decision to provide funding, subject to a majority of the community wanting to drink recycled sewage, is welcomed.

It puts the Mayor and the Council under intense pressure to prove via a referendum that the community supports the project.

When asked on the 7.30 Report aired on Wednesday evening, what level of community support there was for her project, the Mayor replied "I have no idea".

We will soon find out.

Immediately following the announcement, the Mayor was on local radio, once again misleading the community:

- the project will drought-proof the community - this has been shown to be false.

-the project can be up and running in 12 months - also shown to be false - 2011-2012 is more accurate.

The referendum will finally give the community the opportunity to be heard.

Voters will be able to let the Council know what they think of their conduct over this issue - the lies, the deceptions, the arrogance and the incompetence.

In effect, it is an early election ...

MP Macfarlane - strong support from Toowoomba community and surrounding region required ...

Comments by Federal MP Ian Macfarlane on the Federal government's conditional approval of funding for the Toowoomba Water Futures project:

Federal Member for Groom Ian Macfarlane has welcomed the decision by the Australian Government to support the Toowoomba Water Futures project subject to majority community support from the people of Toowoomba.

“Today’s announcement means the Australian government will match the Queensland Government's commitment dollar for dollar once the people of Toowoomba have been fully consulted,” said Mr Macfarlane.

“The Toowoomba City Council, which submitted the proposal under the Australian Government's $2 billion Water Fund, now has a responsibility to go to the people with a referendum and make sure they have majority community support for this project,” he said.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister with responsibility for water policy, Malcolm Turnbull MP, today announced the $67.8 million Toowoomba Water Futures project, would receive Australian government funding of $22.916 million.

This funding would see recycled waste water used to top up potable water supplies, providing a referendum proved the community supported the proposal.

"A project of this significance will succeed only with strong community backing and today’s announcement puts this important decision right where it belongs, in the hands of the people of Toowoomba and the Darling Downs,” Mr Macfarlane said.

"I have asked from the beginning for an open debate about the future of the region’s water supply with a consideration of all options and over the next three to six months that debate will finally occur."

"Water is a very important issue in this region and must be supported by both the urban and rural communities and today’s announcement means everyone who will be affected by this project can have a say, be they farmers, residents or business owners."

“This is a good outcome for this region and will ensure if this ground-breaking water recycling project goes ahead then it does so with full confidence and strong support from the Toowoomba community and surrounding region.”

Australian Government Support for $67 million Toowoomba Water Project will let the Community Decide ...

MP Malcolm Turnbull press release.

The Federal goverment has shifted responsibility for the decision back to the people where it belongs.

A sharp piece of political side-stepping.

24 March 2006

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister with responsibility for water policy, the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull MP, today announced that the Australian Government will match the Queensland Government's contribution of $22.916 million to the $67.8 million Toowoomba recycling project if the people of Toowoomba support the project.

Water Futures Toowoomba - Water Recycling Project (“the Project”) seeks to provide long term sustainable water supply that will meet the current and projected growth of Toowoomba and surrounding areas.

The project will use advanced water treatment processes to recycle wastewater for potable use. The recycled water will augment potable water supplies in Cooby Dam. It is innovative and unique and will be the first of its kind in Australia.

Making the announcement on behalf of the Prime Minister, Mr Turnbull welcomed Premier Beattie's support for the Water Futures Toowoomba - Water Recycling Project and his assurances that it is an "exceptional proposal that will combine the provision of reliable new water supply through indirect potable water recycling with efforts to maximise the beneficial use of existing sources while minimising demand".

Everyone wants safe and reliable water supply for the Toowoomba community and the surrounding region. At the same time, the Toowoomba City Council, the project's proponent agrees that the project's success is predicated on community acceptance.

The Australian Government firmly believes that the community of Toowoomba should decide whether or not they want recycled wastewater for potable use.

Accordingly the Australian Government's support of $22.916 million is conditional on a majority of voters in Toowoomba City voting in favour of the proposal to introduce recycled water into their drinking water system in the manner contemplated by the Project at a referendum to be held no later than 30 September 2006.

Premier Beattie's assurances that the state government is working to develop an appropriate regulatory framework for potable water recycling were also welcomed. "Appropriate health and safety regulation and regional water management plans for the Gowrie-Oakey Creek system and the Hampton groundwater aquifer underpin the success of this project" Mr Turnbull said.

The Toowoomba City Council has advised that of all the alternative options they and the Queensland Government have considered the Water Futures Toowoomba - Water Recycling Project is the most viable.

Toowoomba City Council has noted that, as an inland city, it does not have the same options for augmenting its water supply as coastal towns and cities do.

Toowoomba now has the opportunity to decide on its water future.

See - MP Turnbull Press Release.

Council to battle recycled sewage lawsuit ...

From the Courier Mail on 18 March:

Council in the poo over wastewater recycling scheme

TOOWOOMBA’S controversial plan to recycle sewage into drinking water faces a legal challenge from farmers who have used the water to grow their crops.


The irrigators support water recycling but claim the current proposal being pushed by Mayor Di Thorley would not work, would expose the council to compensation claims of hundreds of millions of dollars and carried major environmental risks.

“(The recycling scheme) won’t actually deliver any extra water because the 15 megalitres a day it will produce is not enough to recycle when the evaporation rate on Cooby Dam is more than 15 megalitres a day,” Gowrie Oakey Irrigation Association president Rod Sleba said.

“In November last year the evaporation from Cooby Dam was 24 megalitres a day, and in December was 31 megalitres a day.

Several viable cheaper alternatives including underground water and coal seam gas water, which preserved existing irrigators’ rights and posed no environmental risk, had been summarily rejected, he said.

“I can’t see why they are doing something obviously so stupid and are not willing to debate in the open with concerned parties," Mr Sleba said.

The irrigators have given up trying to negotiate and are now preparing to take legal action.

Mr Sleba said the issue would never have come to the prospect of a court- room stoush if the mayor had listened to viable alternatives which he said would eventually need to be adopted.

There are fundamental problems with the Mayor's proposal - where does the RO waste stream go - how to deal fairly with the irrigators etc.

A lawsuit (and possible injunction) against the Mayor's project would raise the stakes.

How will the Council respond?

Rosalie Shire looks to Emu Creek dam to solve its water issues ...

In the Chronicle today, Rosalie Shire Council looks at building Emu Creek dam.

An example of a neighbouring shire which wants to look at other water source options, rather than taking recycled sewage from Toowoomba.

Toowoomba City Council is against the proposal - I wonder why?

The more the Toowoomba City Council pursues the Mayor's controversial recycled sewage project, the more neighbouring shires such as Rosalie and Jondaryan look at alternate water sources. Toowoomba risks losing its water customers over its decision to pursue recycled sewage.

How will that affect its budgeted revenue from recycled sewage?

Rosalie moves to get a new dam underway

A DAM at Emu Creek, near Rosalie, has oft been touted as a future water facility: fill it and you’re laughing.

Now Rosalie Shire Council is taking that forbidden dream to the next level and writing to the Prime Minister in the hope he will support an initiative to revive the Emu Creek Dam idea as a water storage facility for times of drought.

Rosalie CEO Clinton Weber is hopeful of bringing the State Government on side despite its current opposition to a dam that would potentially cost $170 million and has been rejected in the past for fear it would reduce flows into Brisbane’s Wivenhoe Dam downstream.

Mr Weber admits Rosalie’s intention is a bit “out of the box”, even a “desperate move”, but the council is looking 100 to 200 years ahead and taking into account regional growth and another inevitable dry spell.

The plan is for the Emu Creek Dam to be “filled in a significant rain event” and then sit as a storage facility.

Because the water would not be used, the dam would not prevent the natural flow down the creek into the Moreton catchment. - “Our hope is that we proceed with the Emu Creek Dam proposal,” Mr Weber said. “We believe it would have to be funded by federal money.”

Mr Weber said he was aware of the State Government’s opposition to new dams, but believed it could be swayed.

Crows Nest Mayor Cr Geoff Patch said he would be supportive of a dam at Emu Creek, but warned it would be difficult convincing the State Government.

Toowoomba is opposed to the plan.

Thursday, March 23, 2006

MP Albanese goes for political points ...

Federal Opposition MP and Water Spokesman Anthony Albanese used World Water Day to give the Howard government a serve for sitting on the Toowoomba Water Futures application.

See - Mixed signals press release.

Do you think MP Albanese has actually read the NWC application?

Wouldn't it be hard for a politician to support the NWC application (which has more holes in it than a RO membrane) if they hadn't read it from cover to cover?

Maybe Mr Albanese should confirm that he has done his homework ...

MP Turnbull - no water, no votes ...

Federal government commences water audit - warns state governments.

See - No water, no votes.

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

MP Macfarlane - comments on the 7.30 Report ...

Comments by MP Ian Macfarlane regarding the Toowoomba Water Futures project:

PETER McCUTCHEON: Local federal Member of Parliament, Ian Macfarlane initially indicated support for the project but now says the council should look more carefully at other options, such as sinking more bores and linking up to other dams.

IAN MACFARLANE: [On] the basis of information I was given by the council, [I] said that I would support the project. That information was later found to be lacking in detail and erroneous in terms of support from the community.

IAN MACFARLANE: Generally with these sorts of leading-edge projects, there is some technology to be proven. All of that requires the community to come with you, and on that basis, they haven't come with this project.

See - 7.30 Report.

Mayor Thorley - "I have no idea" ...

The truth finally comes out.

Mayor Thorley was asked on the 7.30 Report aired this evening:

PETER McCUTCHEON: As it stands at the moment, how much community support is there for your proposal?

The Mayor's response?

DI THORLEY: I have no idea.

What happened the apparent "70% support" for her recycled sewage proposal?

See - 7.30 Report.

ABC 7.30 Report - "Residents oppose Toowoomba recycled water proposal" ...

Read the transcript:

Residents oppose Toowoomba recycled water proposal - 7.30 Report.

PM announces latest Water Fund grants ...

... Toowoomba is not included.

See - PM press release.

World Water Day ...

Today is World Water Day ...

Lockyer irrigators to get recycled water ...

From WIN News:

Lockyer Water - Water project

Lockyer Valley irrigators are banking on a new multi million dollar water project to ensure the future of farming in the district. They're hoping to link up to a recycled water project from Brisbane to Tarong Power station, that will guarantee a reliable supply of water for irrigation.


See - Lockyer Water.

Pipeline infrastructure to cost $90 million.

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

TCC promise - a book to answer all your questions ...

The Toowoomba Water Futures website is advertising its $41,000 water book as its "tell-all" solution:

"Finally there is an information book to answer all your water questions."

Use the comments section if you think there are any questions the Council has omitted to answer ...

Is pure h2o dead in the water?

An interesting letter to the Editor, the Chronicle (18 March) from the spokesperson of the Council affiliated petition gatherer (annotated):

It is now six months since the "imminent" announcement from the Federal Government of a decision on funding for the Water Futures Proposal.

[No, the Mayor has been continually trying to put pressure on the Federal Government by saying a decision is imminent.]

The National Water Commission has recommended funding.

[Has it or has it made certain recommendations with a number of conditions the Mayor cannot fulfil?]

The PM and the Minister responsible for Water Policy Malcolm Turnbull are both advocates of recycling.

[PM Howard has not stated his position on drinking recycled sewage. MP Turnbull's comments: “And the decision as to whether a particular community wants to put recycled waste water back into the drinking water stream has to be a decision for that community. The reality is that a project of this kind will not succeed without community support." - the Australian, 2 March 2006]

Only our own local Federal Member Mr Macfarlane equivocates.

[Actually, no. MP Macfarlane's comments: “I cannot support the proposal as it stands until all of these unresolved issues are properly addressed, detailed explanations on costings and technology made public, and all options fully investigated and costed.” -Downs Diary, November 2005 - that seems pretty clear.]

Consequently, Toowoomba residents are left in limbo.

It is entirely reprehensible of Minister Macfarlane to leave this city dangling and divided.

[Is it reprehensible to believe that all options should be fully investigated and costed? No. And isn't it the Mayor who has divided the community?]

Get your Government to make a decision, Minister, one way or the other.

[Interesting - the Council affiliated group seems to be threatening a Federal Minister - that will get you a long way.]

It is the Federal Government's lack of decision that perpetuates division in this community.

[No, it's the Mayor's inability to compromise in the face of overwhelming community opposition - putting the FTR good before the common good.]

JN
Spokesperson [of the Council affiliated interest group]
Toowoomba.

If you can't dazzle with brilliance - lie, demand and threaten ...

Confusing "FTR good" with the "common good" ...

Mayor Thorley is quoted in today's Chronicle as calling on people "to put interests aside in favour of the common good.

The Mayor is confusing the "FTR (Flanagan, Thorley, Ramia) good" with the "common good".

Surely the common good is served by:

- adopting the best possible water source for Toowoomba's drinking water.

- an independent assessment of all option water source options.

- ensuring that public funds are spent on the water source option the community wants (within certain financial constraints).

- involving the community as the major stakeholder in the decision making process.

- not adopting an alternative which will require an additional $66 million spent upon Acland Coal mine closure (or sooner if Acland Coal doesn't want the RO waste stream).

That's the problem with confusing the "FTR good" with the common good - you become out of touch with the community you were elected to represent ...

Mayor Thorley - stop frightening the horses ...

Mayor Thorley, know for her oddities ("you can bet your sweet bippy on that" and "F--- them I will do what I f---ing well like in my city" ), let loose with another yesterday.

Quoted in the Chronicle this morning, the Mayor said:

"The challenge is for us to use our minds and to stop going to a place where we are going to frighten the horses."

Where exactly is that place?

An interesting statement that will no doubt be analysed by psychiatrists for years as they try to understand her rationale for continuing with her controversial recycled sewage project in the face of overwhelming opposition.

That sound you hear is the sound of laughter from the Council workers amused at her latest muttering ...

The $41,000 Water Book - the community gets PR'd to death ...

In the Chronicle today, Mayor Thorley made the following comment:

"It is with great misgivings that I see an Australian community that is turning in on itself in the way that it is," she said. "Those people who are doing this for whatever political or personal agendas, I would hope that they would actually step up to the plank and understand we are not talking about politics. We are talking about security of water."

Unfortunately, the Mayor's controversial recycled sewage project has little to do with security of water.

The Water Futures project does not drought-proof Toowoomba. It does not solve the medium to long-term water needs for Toowoomba's residents.

Even with the recycled sewage project, residents would be required to cut their water consumption by a further 20% (so says the NWC application).

The Mayor's project is all about making money. The Council doesn't want to buy water off other suppliers - it wants to "manufacture" sewage water - it's a much more profitable business.

What the Mayor doesn't understand is that the Toowoomba community is not "turning in on itself". It is questioning the validity of certain decisions being made by its elected officials. The community is questioning whether those decisions are being made in their best interests and it is wondering why, as stakeholders, they are not involved in the process.

The only way a project such as the Mayor's could ever go forward would be if there was extensive stakeholder involvement in the decision making process.

The use of continual PR tactics such as the $41,000 Water Book only makes the community more suspicious of the Council's motives.

Indeed, the community is in grave risk of being "PR'd to death" by the Council's propaganda machine ...

State government backs down on water charge ...

From ABC News:

Farmers welcome suspended water charges

Farmers and irrigators are celebrating after the Queensland Government decided to suspend its new water management charges.

Irrigators across the state were boycotting the $4-a-megalitre fee, which was devised to recover the cost of implementing water policy.

They were concerned the charges were a tax grab and were not transparent.

See - Qld government backdown.

Seems the State government is now listening to the farming community ...

Monday, March 20, 2006

Councillor Shelton's comments on the $41,000 Water Book ...

See Lyle's blog for more comments on the Mayor's $41,000 Water Book.

Council risks ratepayer backlash - distributes $41,000 Water Book ...

From WIN News:

WATER LAUNCH BOOK

Information book

Well, finally there's an information book to answer all [?] your water questions.


Several months in the making, Toowoomba City Council's Water Book offering facts about our current water situation, our future water source options and details of the proposal to recycle our water.

See - $41,000 waste of ratepayer's funds.

Let the shredding begin ...

The $41,000 question ...

Will the Toowoomba City Council mail out its controversial Water Book on 21 March?

The Council must know that it contains false and misleading material.

Will they risk a backlash from Toowoomba residents by going ahead with the mail out?

Or will they pulp the book - and flush $41,000 of ratepayers money (less delivery costs) down the drain?

Just a thought ...

Saturday, March 18, 2006

Springborg finds waste plan hard to swallow ...

From ABC News (annotated):

Springborg finds waste water plan hard to swallow

Friday, 17 March 2006.

The Queensland Opposition leader says he would rather see water piped to Toowoomba from coal seam gas mines in the Surat Basin than the city's residents being forced to drink recycled water.

Shadow Cabinet ministers met in the Garden City yesterday.

The Toowoomba council wants to purify waste water to supplement the city's drinking supplies as part of a $68 million plan to drought-proof the city.

Lawrence Springborg says people would not be allowed to drink treated sewerage if the Coalition wins the next election.

"I'd prefer not to be drinking it, absolutely. I'd prefer to be drinking some water that's supplied to farmers in the west of here or even water that's come out of our coal beds to the west of here as well. No, I don't think I'd be very happy about it," he said.

Toowoomba Mayor Di Thorley says it will cost more than double the council's water recycling project to have water piped from coal seam gas mines in the Surat Basin.

[This is according to the Mayor's figures which have not been independently costed - her costings for the pipeline for the gas water are clearly inflated when you read the NWC application.]

"Well, I hope they're going to have a big cheque book if they get into power because it's going to cost an awful lot of money and there's a whole heap of work," she said.

[More scare tactics - will it cost more than $136 million for the Mayor's controversial project - $70 million + $66 million for the RO waste stream disposal upon Acland Coal closure or earlier.]

"And then I wonder what's going to happen to all the salt that's going to be left out there while everybody takes water out of this and we lay it out on some of the good farming land for evaporation ponds, or is there going to be a miracle cure?"

[What about the Mayor needing 600 hectares of evaporation ponds for her recycled sewage project if Acland Coal doesn't take the RO waste stream. What happens when Acland Coal closes - where will her RO waste stream go then?]

See - Mayor Thorley clearly on the defensive.

Friday, March 17, 2006

Springborg finds waste plan hard to swallow ...

From ABC News (annotated):

Springborg finds waste water plan hard to swallow

Friday, 17 March 2006.

The Queensland Opposition leader says he would rather see water piped to Toowoomba from coal seam gas mines in the Surat Basin than the city's residents being forced to drink recycled water.

Shadow Cabinet ministers met in the Garden City yesterday.

The Toowoomba council wants to purify waste water to supplement the city's drinking supplies as part of a $68 million plan to drought-proof the city.

Lawrence Springborg says people would not be allowed to drink treated sewerage if the Coalition wins the next election.

"I'd prefer not to be drinking it, absolutely. I'd prefer to be drinking some water that's supplied to farmers in the west of here or even water that's come out of our coal beds to the west of here as well. No, I don't think I'd be very happy about it," he said.

Toowoomba Mayor Di Thorley says it will cost more than double the council's water recycling project to have water piped from coal seam gas mines in the Surat Basin.

[This is according to the Mayor's figures which have not been independently costed - her costings for the pipeline for the gas water are clearly inflated when you read the NWC application.]

"Well, I hope they're going to have a big cheque book if they get into power because it's going to cost an awful lot of money and there's a whole heap of work," she said.

[More scare tactics - will it cost more than $136 million for the Mayor's controversial project - $70 million + $66 million for the RO waste stream disposal upon Acland Coal closure or earlier.]

"And then I wonder what's going to happen to all the salt that's going to be left out there while everybody takes water out of this and we lay it out on some of the good farming land for evaporation ponds, or is there going to be a miracle cure?"

[What about the Mayor needing 600 hectares of evaporation ponds for her recycled sewage project if Acland Coal doesn't take the RO waste stream. What happens when Acland Coal closes - where will her RO waste stream go then?]

See - Mayor Thorley clearly on the defensive.

Mayor Thorley's recycled sewage campaign in serious trouble ...

From the Chronicle:

Coalition 'follows community lead' on recycled drinking water

LAWRENCE Springborg will not drink recycled water and believes no-one else should have to either.

The State Opposition Leader was in Toowoomba yesterday to announce Coalition policy to legislate against adding recycled sewage to a community's drinking supply, as is currently planned for Toowoomba.

Mr Springborg said he had followed the lead of the Toowoomba community in rejecting recycling for drinking and questioning "unproven" science.

Rather than drink recycled water Mr Springborg advocated projects he believed could be up and running in less than two years, including trading water with Norwin irrigators west of Toowoomba, recycling only for use on gardens and by irrigators, and piping water extracted from the Chinchilla gas fields, all of which have been rejected by Toowoomba City Council.

Mr Springborg said a Coalition government would fast-track the construction of a pipeline from the Chinchilla gas fields to supply Toowoomba, Dalby and Oakey.

"You've got all of these options that can be investigated," he said. "(But) it's not been properly considered by council."

Council last year rejected the Chinchilla proposal after costing its production at $2.07 per kilolitre compared to 80 cents for the Water Futures recycling proposal. Council also costed the Norwin scheme at $1.50 per kilolitre.

However, Mr Springborg said extra costs were warranted if it meant people would not have to drink "recycled sewage" and he vowed to "stand by" Toowoomba in finding solutions.

"It is very clear from what we are hearing in this community that the majority of people do not want to drink recycled sewage," Mr Springborg said.

"All the facts haven't been laid on the table."

Toowoomba Mayor Dianne Thorley, who is famously passionate about council's project to recycle effluent into Cooby Dam, said she "noted with interest" Mr Springborg's comments.

"Recycled water is actually Liberal Party policy so I don't understand how a Coalition can have such diverse points of view," Cr Thorley said. [Yes, but not for drinking.]

Surrounded by his National Party colleagues after two days of shadow cabinet meetings in Toowoomba, Mr Springborg said Toowoomba City Council was wrong in forcing recycled water on to the community before exploring all options available.

Member for Toowoomba South Mike Horan said Norwin irrigators were sitting above 33,000Ml of yearly sustainable water which could easily be traded with Toowoomba water or with future recycled water. Toowoomba's annual consumption is 14,000Ml.

Mr Springborg rejected taking a populist position but said he was working to protect Toowoomba's drinking supply.

"We will not leave Toowoomba high and dry," he said.

See - Opposition says no to drinking recycled water.

Breaking news - Qld Opposition says no to drinking recycled sewage ...

Qld Coalition press release:

Media Release

Coalition safeguards drinking water

Legislation will be introduced to prevent recycled sewage effluent being added to the State’s drinking water supplies, the Queensland Coalition announced today.

The Coalition took the firm stand at its Shadow Cabinet meeting in Toowoomba today where residents could face the prospect of having effluent added to the city’s drinking water in just a few short years.

Queensland Coalition Leader, Lawrence Springborg, said Queenslanders had a right to drink fresh water and said his Government would legislate to ensure no water provider took that right away.

Deputy Leader, Bob Quinn, said the Coalition would place a renewed focus on recycled water in Queensland, but said it would not be recycled for drinking.

Shadow Minister for Natural Resources, Jeff Seeney, said drinking water supplies could be safeguarded while recycled sewage effluent was put to other uses.

Mr Seeney said the decision stood in stark contrast to the Beattie Labor Government which supported plans to use effluent in Toowoomba’s drinking water.

“Labor has also indicated it sees Toowoomba as a possible blueprint for other communities in Queensland”, Mr Seeney said.

He said the Coalition’s decision would set the direction for water planning in Queensland and shift focus to a range of alternatives.

Among the alternatives are:

· Switching industrial water users to recycled water rather than drawing from dams;

· Water swapping between recycled urban water and irrigators’ fresh water supplies;

· All recreational irrigation – such as golf courses and cricket fields – to use recycled water only.

The Coalition also today committed to a significant measure to alleviate Toowoomba’s critical water shortage in the future.

It would fast track construction of a western pipeline from the coal seam gas fields to bring water to Toowoomba, Dalby and Oakey.

See - Qld Coalition policy release.

Thursday, March 16, 2006

New group to focus on water source options ...

From ABC News:

Group said to offer independent water management information

A new group is claiming to offer independent information on the management of water in Toowoomba and on the Darling Downs, in south-eastern Queensland.

Water Facts is being launched today and has the backing of the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce, the Jondaryan and Millmerran councils and individual councillors from Toowoomba, Pittsworth and Rosalie.

Chamber president Ian Andersen says the group will gather information on issues such as the Toowoomba City Council's $68 million water recycling project and make it available to the public.

He says too much confusion has been created by groups for and against the proposal.

"That's exactly right and you know who is right and who is wrong?

Both council, H2O and CADS [Citizens Against Drinking Sewage] have all released hundreds of thousands of words on whether or not the whole idea of drinking sewerage water is right or wrong, but the view of the chamber and many other organisations is that we are in danger of focusing just on whether or not we should be drinking sewerage water," he said.

"The issue is far greater than that."

See - Council finds it harder to defend "no other options" argument.

State coalition meeting in Toowoomba ...

From ABC News:

Coalition Cabinet in Toowoomba

Health and water are expected to be on the Queensland shadow cabinet's agenda when it meets in Toowoomba today.

Opposition ministers arrived in the southern Queensland city yesterday afternoon, meeting local organisations, including the chamber of commerce and council.

Opposition leader Lawrence Springborg says the meeting is important in the lead-up to the next election.

"This will be a major policy shadow cabinet meeting for the Queensland Coalition because we're entering a very important part of the electoral cycle," he said.

"Of course, the Coalition has already announced our intention to bring back hospital boards when we are re-elected to power in Queensland, to reduce the size of the bureaucracy in Queensland Health and to put those resources into front-line health services."

See - Opposition in Toowoomba.

Has the tide turned against the Council?

Recent developments indicate that it is going to be much tougher for the Toowoomba City Council to continue to push its line that "there are no other options" and the Mayor's line that "if you don't like it you can drink bottled water".

- Premier Beattie has now confirmed what many already knew - there are other options.

- Both MP Turnbull and the NWC have said that no recycled sewage project will get off the ground unless there is community support (lacking in Toowoomba's case).

- Recycled sewage for drinking purposes is now on the State election agenda.

- Neighbouring shires such as Jondaryan Shire are actively looking at alternatives to taking Toowoomba's water supply if it will contain recycled sewage.

- A new group has now formed in Toowoomba, Water Facts, to conduct an independent review of water options for the South-West Qld region.

The Mayor's only hope of forcing her recycled sewage project onto an unreceptive community was to keep it off the national agenda and keep adverse publicity and the real facts as quiet as possible.

That time has now passed ...

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

$41,000 Water Book due out 21 March ...

Get your "No recycled sewage" stickers ready.

Unless the Council now decides not to distribute it.

Slap them on and send the book back to the Council if you think it is more Council propaganda ...

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Jondaryan looks at new strategies ...

From WIN News:

Jondaryan Water

Water conservation

The Jondaryan Shire Council is pushing water conservation to the limit.

Local councillors have met with their Gold Coast counterparts to discuss a new water saving strategy set to reduce consumption rates by almost ninety per cent.


See - WIN News.

Macfarlane to Beattie - State Government is doing nothing to resolve Toowoomba's water crisis ...

The gloves come off in the political stoush over Toowoomba's water sources.

Premier Beattie claims the Federal government is too slow.

MP Macfarlane says Beattie is ignoring the fact that he met with the Minister of Natural Resources, Mines and Water last week to discuss whole-of-region solutions.

From ABC News:

Commonwealth rejects Beattie water recycling scheme claims

The Federal Government has hit back at claims it is taking too long to approve funding for Toowoomba's water recycling project.

The $115 million water futures proposal, which includes a plan to build a new recycling plant to purify waste water, has been submitted to the Federal Government for funding under the national water initiative.

An announcement on whether that application was successful was expected in January and Queensland Premier Peter Beattie says he is frustrated by the delay.

"I mean, this is longer than 'Blue Hills', I mean, for God's sake we've got to have a decision, one way or the other," he said.

But the federal Member for Groom says the State Government is doing nothing to resolve Toowoomba's water crisis.

Ian Macfarlane says the Premier well knows he had discussions last week with state Water Minister Henry Palaszczuk to try to find a solution for the whole region.

See - Macfarlane rejects Beattie claims.

Premier Beattie - there are other options ...

Since July 2005, Mayor Thorley has consistently told the community that there are NO other alternatives for Toowoomba and it had to proceed with her controversial recycled sewage project.

Yesterday, Premier Beattie came to Toowoomba and suddenly Premier Beattie and Mayor Thorley are working on alternatives.

Just to be clear, Mayor Thorley has MISLED the community since July 2005.

Premier Beattie used the visit to try to bash the Federal government, complaining that he was "sick to death at how long a decision was taking".

Maybe if the Mayor had not gone ahead with her ill-conceived plan in the first place, alternatives would have been considered 9 months ago and Toowoomba would be well on the way to solving its water source problems.

Premier Beattie does not care about Toowoomba. If he did, he would never have given support for the recycled sewage proposal.

He cares about votes - he knows the recycled sewage proposal is a vote loser, he has a state election coming up and he's trying to salvage at least some chance of retaining power.

So he's trying to convince Mayor Thorley to consider the alternatives which have always been there and which she has ignored.

It's shameful ...

Beattie working on alternatives to recycling of city's water ...

From the Chronicle:

14.03.2006

ON the one hand, Premier Peter Beattie won't pre-empt the Prime Minister's ruminations on whether to fund Toowoomba's controversial water recycling proposal.

On the other hand, he is sufficiently nervous to have begun investigating water alternatives for our dry city in case John Howard rejects Toowoomba City Council's plan to supplement Cooby Dam with water recycled from reclaimed sewage.

Speaking to the media during a stopover visit to Toowoomba yesterday, Mr Beattie urged the Prime Minister to hurry up and make a funding decision so the community could move on.

"I'm sick to death at how long the decision is taking," Mr Beattie said."We want a decision."

Premier Beattie said that as time dragged on, and the community imploded with debate, no headway was being made and certainly no rain was falling.

"They can't delay this forever," he said.

The $70 million Water Futures project is to be funded three ways between local, state and federal governments. Already the State Government has signalled its backing of the Australian-first plan, but the Prime Minister is yet to make a decision.

At last update Mr Howard had sought further information.

Mr Beattie yesterday revealed he and Toowoomba Mayor Dianne Thorley had plans to investigate "alternatives" in case federal funding was not forthcoming."

My people are working on alternatives," Mr Beattie said. "They're complicated and we're not prepared to discuss them."

However, he said: "Toowoomba has a water problem and we want to help solve it".

Mr Beattie said politicians who did not support water recycling were playing "stupid politics".

"Stupid politics is always interfering," he said. "I say to the politicians, nick off."


See - Beattie reveals Mayor's sham.

Mayor Thorley - where's that 70% hiding?

The so called "independent" group associated with the Council who have been out trawling for signatures to support Mayor Thorley's controversial recycled sewage project must be wondering where the elusive 70% the Mayor says support her are hiding.

Wherever they are they certainly aren't stepping up to sign the petition to support the embattled Mayor.

The Chronicle on 10 March 2006 reported that the Council support group had extended the date by which it would have all its signatures and present it to Federal parliament.

Originally planning to present the petition in January, the group postponed to 17 March and now are postponing again until after the Council releases its $41,000 Water Book.

(Interestingly, the group planned to have the petition presented to Federal parliament on 22 March. For a group which includes teachers and academics, they did precious little homework - Federal parliament isn't sitting that week!)

What happened?

"We have already got something in the vicinity of 1500 sheets out there in just a few days," Mr Nolan said. (Toowoomba Chronicle 9 December 2005)

"So far we have distributed 78 petitions of 10 pages each (200 signatures each petition) and are well on our way to securing 20,000 signatures all up." (Barbara Ryan - 15 December 2005)

Mr Nolan said that even before yesterday's launch, there had been an overwhelming response from people saying "thank goodness someone is going [sic] this", "how can I get involved" and "what can I do to help". (Toowoomba Chronicle 16 December 2005)

"They were confident of securing 20,000 signatures by next month." Spokesman Jeff Nolan said 80 people had copies of the petition. (Toowoomba Chronicle 20 January 2006)

Was it all just PR spin?

They "expected to get 20,000 signatures in favour of Water Futures including its proposal to recycle effluent for drinking. Mr Nolan said that number was now considered over ambitious." (Toowoomba Chronicle 10 March 2006)

But if Mayor Thorley is truthful when she says 70% of the community support her plans, wouldn't it be easy to get them all to sign the petition supporting her?

Could it be that they have discovered what many people already know - that the majority of the Toowoomba community do not want to drink recycled sewage ...

Gold Coast to cut Brisbane water intake

From ABC News:

The Gold Coast Council has decided to take less water from Brisbane's Wivenhoe Dam.

The proposal was endorsed at today's full council meeting.


Mayor Ron Clarke says the Gold Coast will reduce its allocation by about a third, once the city has modified its pumps.

"We have to make certain that the northern end of the city gets water, and making sure of that, as soon as we're sure of that, then we'll cut down to 15 megalitres, and then we'll go down to zero when and if the Brisbane supply gets down below, the level of the dam gets down below 25," he said.

The Hinze Dam on the Gold Coast is full, while Wivenhoe is at about 30 per cent capacity.

See - Gold Coast cuts intake.

Monday, March 13, 2006

Is Premier Beattie looking for ways to get re-elected?

On WIN News this evening, the following report:

Toowoomba won't run dry

Queensland Premier Peter Beattie has given assurances Toowoomba won't run dry if the Federal Government rejects the water futures project.


Mr Beattie confirming he's discussing water initiatives with the Mayor, and while he won't elaborate on the options, he says he does support the recycled water proposal.

See - WIN News.

Suddenly there are other options? What has Mayor Thorley being telling us?

To guarantee or not ...

Toowoomba City Council has been asked by a resident to guarantee the water quality from its proposed recycled sewage plant.

A draft guarantee has been given to each Councillor for their signature and return.

While it seems highly unlikely that any Councillor will sign the guarantee (and put their assets on the line), it will be interesting to see their response.

If recycled sewage water is perfectly safe to drink, what's wrong with personally guaranteeing it?

What about a 12/12 warranty - 12 years or 12,000 litres consumed ...

Premier Beattie to TCC Director of Engineering - "thanks mate" ...

Somewhat unwittingly, Toowoomba City Council's director of engineering Kevin Flanagan has put the supply of water to Toowoomba from Wivenhoe dam firmly on the State election agenda.

At the Toowoomba City Council Committee meetings last week, Councillor Shelton expressed disappointment at the Council's acceptance that it is being excluded from being part of a regional water supply solution which would link supplies from a desalination plant on the Gold Coast with Hinze and Wivenhoe dams.

(As predicted, Mayor Thorley's excuse was the so-called enviromental cost of pumping the water up the range - any excuse not to look at alternatives.)

Mr Flanagan made it clear that State Government departments had made Wivenhoe dam water off-limits to Toowoomba.

Whether this is actually the case remains a question.

However, without doubt, Mr Flanagan has put the supply of water to Toowoomba from Wivenhoe dam firmly on the State election agenda.

The State Opposition has stated that it would be reasonable for Toowoomba to be able to access Wivenhoe dam water:

“… and water is pumped to within about two kilometres of Toowoomba to Withcott. I believe that, if we are truly to be considered worthy citizens of Queensland, consideration should be given to giving a small amount of water as a boost to the city's supply.” (MP Horan - State Parliament, 10-11 Nov. 2005)

A change of State government should see a quick reversal of State government department policy.

No doubt Premier Beattie will wish to thank Mr Flanagan for adding yet another election issue to Premier Beattie's busy schedule ...

Toowoomba North Candidate's blog ...

See here for the link to the Candidate for Toowoomba North's blog - Lyle's blog.

Saturday, March 11, 2006

Jondaryan Shire takes swipe at Mayor Thorley ...

Comments in the Toowoomba Chronicle today by Jondaryan Shire Council Mayor Peter Taylor in relation to a survey of residents views on using recycled sewage for drinking:

"This survey was about involving people in the whole process from day one," Cr Taylor said.

"If this had happened in the Water Futures Project, we wouldn't have the problems Toowoomba is now facing."

The Jondaryan Shire Mayor also believes that it wasn't councillors' role to tell locals "what's good for them".

That's precisely what Mayor "drink it or be damned" Thorley thinks. She wants to tell Toowoomba ratepayers what she thinks is good for them and to hell with them if they don't like it.

It's interesting that the Jondaryan Shire Mayor thinks the lack of community involvement has created problems with the Toowoomba Water Futures project.

The Jondaryan Shire survey showed overwhelmingly that shire residents do not want to drink recycled sewage.

Toowoomba City Council has continually refused to conduct a similar survey of Toowoomba residents, fearful that it would confirm what many in the community already know.

With a substantial proportion of the communities of Toowoomba and the surrounding region against Mayor Thorley's controversial recycled sewage project, it seems impossible that it could ever get the community support it needs to get off the ground ...

Friday, March 10, 2006

Expert backs more integrated water planning ...

From ABC News:

A leading water expert has welcomed moves towards a more integrated approach to water planning in south-east Queensland.

A new water commission will be set up by the end of the year after being agreed to by 18 local councils and the State Government.

It will set restrictions and also means water can be shared across the region.

Ross Young from the Water Services Association of Australia says it makes sense.

"Any move that will bring about integrated and cohesive management of water resources within south-east Queensland has to be applauded ... and also will remove confusion amongst the customers between the different areas on the different rules and restrictions," he said.


See - More integrated water planning.

Will Toowoomba continue to be the odd one out ...

Ergon and Jondaryan Shire listen to the community ...

... while Toowoomba City Council says "shut up and drink your bottled water".

Both Ergon and Jondaryan Shire have bowed to community pressure:

Feedlot proposal withdrawn

AN application for a controversial 400-head cattle feedlot proposed for Westbrook has been withdrawn.

Jondaryan Shire Council Mayor Peter Taylor said he had been informed plans for the feedlot on McAuluy Road have been dropped after heavy lobbying from neighbours.

However, relieved residents say they will continue with a new fight to alter Jondaryan's town plan to exclude feedlots from the area so no future applications can be lodged.

See - Feedlot proposal withdrawn.

Ergon moves substation site

ERGON Energy will spend an extra $1 million to ensure the site of an electricity substation at Kearneys Spring is more acceptable to the suburb's residents than the original planned site.

In late 2004 Ergon planned the substation to go on the corner of Kearney and Nelson streets, but nearby residents' protests prompted the rethink.

After negotiations with a subcommittee representing residents, including Toowoomba City councillor Regina Albion who lives opposite the original site, a new site has been chosen 200 metres south in Kearney Street. [Always nice when a Councillor has a personal interest!]

See - Ergon moves substation site.

And yet still the Toowoomba City Council remains "hell-bent" on its controversial recycled sewage proposal ...

La Nina promises rain for Australia ...

From ABC News:

The world meteorological organisation is predicting a 'La Nina' global weather event is on its way, bringing above average rainfall to Australia.

It is welcome news for farmers, who have been battling the worst drought in a century. Scientists have tested temperatures in the Pacific and found they are one degree Celsius below normal.

This indicates that a La Nina weather event is imminent.


It would be good to see - but don't hold your breath ...

Thursday, March 09, 2006

Yet another water source option the Council won't consider ...

On WIN News last evening, Mayor Thorley refused to consider yet another water source option - utilising water from Wivenhoe Dam which would receive water pumped from the new desalination plant being built on the Gold Coast.

Always relying on the desperate need to do something quickly, Mayor Thorley said that it would take 18 months to build the desalination plant and what would Toowoomba do until then?

Given that there is sufficient water in the dams until around end April 2008 (over two years away), Toowoomba could rely on dam water.

Then there is always the backup option of bore water.

But this misses the point.

The Mayor's controversial recycled sewage project wouldn't be online until 2011-2012 (after construction, water testing etc). So using a delay of 18 months as a reason not to use desalinated water from the Gold Coast via Wivenhoe Dam is complete rubbish.

Wivenhoe Dam water (with Gold Coast desalinated water) could be used as an emergency water source for Toowoomba. Build the additional 2km pipeline up the range and pump it to Toowoomba. The Mayor will claim that it is more expensive to pump water up the range but this water source can be used only if necessary.

As MP Ian Macfarlane said - the Council is hell-bent on its recycled sewage plan - the Mayor will continue to knock back any sensible alternative proposed to the Council.

One thing is clear - the Mayor is running out of excuses for not looking at alternative water sources as they pile up at the Council's door ...

Acland Coal now not so sure ...

Is Acland Coal having second thoughts about the RO waste stream that Toowoomba City Council wants to send it for coal washing?

The NWC application states that the RO waste stream provided to Acland Coal will have a maximum of 3000mg/L of TDS - this is the maximum salt load Acland Coal have advised that they can accept.

Is Acland Coal now having second thoughts given what else might be in the RO waste stream or perhaps wondering how they will deal with disposal of around 6000 tonnes per annum of waste salt? And needing to pay the Toowoomba City Council for the privilege of doing so?

On WIN News last evening, Acland Coal were stated as needing to talk further with the Toowoomba City Council on this issue.

One of the major gaps between the NWC application and Acland Coal's EIS is the different treatment of the RO waste stream.

Under the NWC application, if Acland Coal doesn't take the RO waste stream, 600 hectares of evaporation ponds would be required. (Even if you accept the RO side stream argument put forward by the Council, some 68 hectares of evaporation ponds would be required - this alternative has "significant unknowns".)

But if you read the Acland Coal EIS, there's only a cursory mention of any need for evaporation ponds.

In fact, the Acland Coal EIS refers to the project having a surplus of water and needing to dispose of it.

Disposal options are:
- evaporation ponds/dams
- potential irrigation uses
- aquifer recharge options
- supply to another industry in the area
- offering water to nearby landowners for stock watering
- off-site discharge during suitable rainfall events.

It seems Acland Coal hasn't really turned its mind to what the Toowoomba City Council will be piping to it.

And what happens when coal mining ceases? What happens to the RO waste stream then? Keep pumping it out to Acland and hope no-one notices?

The Toowoomba City Council was probably hoping that no-one ever read the two reports together ...

Why Virginia is a poor example to use ...

The Mayor recently wrote about the impact on her of the recycled sewage facility in Fairfax County in the US:

"That is why I am advocating Toowoomba build an Advanced Water Treatment plant (AWT) to recycle our water for indirect potable reuse. I’ve seen this science at work, in Singapore and Orange County in the US, but the defining place for me was the facility I inspected at Upper Occoquan, Fairfax County in the US. There they have been recycling wastewater since 1978."

See - Mayor Thorley online.

But just how good is their testing regime?

The Fairfax County 2004 Annual Report states:

Q. What is the short answer to "how's my water quality?"

A. This report contains a lot of information and data. But the short answer is that of the over 120 contaminants we test for, we found very few. Those found were in negligible amounts that are well below EPA's maximum contaminant levels.


Over 120 contaminants? Out of over 80,000 possible contaminants in the water.

What about the rest?

See - Virginia County 2004 Annual Report.

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Toowoomba City Council - hell-bent on its recycled sewage project ...

Comments from MP Ian Macfarlane on WIN News this evening.

... the Council is hell-bent on going down this [recycled sewage] path which is disappointing.

When will the Council start acting rationally and examine the other water source options?

MP Turnbull on the need for community support ...

Comments in the Australian on 2 March 2006:

“And the decision as to whether a particular community wants to put recycled waste water back into the drinking water stream has to be a decision for that community. The reality is that a project of this kind will not succeed without community support."

Where does this leave the Toowoomba City Council?

NSW rules out recycled water for drinking ...

Comments in the Australian Financial Review on 3 March 2006:

The chief executive of the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal of NSW, James Cox, reiterated that the NSW government had ruled out recycled water for drinking purposes. Mr Cox said: "The option has been taken off the agenda by politicians because of the public mood as they see it ... I think it's an issue that needs to continue to be investigated."

Where does this leave the Goulburn-Mulrawee Council's NWC application?

WSAA - comments on recycled water ...

Comments in the Australian Financial Review on 3 March 2006:

Executive Director of the Water Services Association of Australia, Ross Young said that "each of the states has its own health and environmental regulations, but they are often quite inconsistent with each other. There's no national regulation." He said industry should not be forced to use recycled water, but millions of litres of drinking water could be saved for cities with better planning and co-ordination.

"We need to put an emphasis on identifying where recycled water could be used for industry instead of drinking water, because that means more water in our dams."


If industry should not be forced to use recycled water, why should Toowoomba residents be forced to drink it?

Premier Beattie flip flops on pipeline to Darling Downs ...

Comment in the Australian Financial Review on 3 March 2006 on the pipeline to the Darling Downs:

The Queensland government is fast-tracking its Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme [WCRWS], which will reclaim about 110 million litres of waste water and pipe it to industry west of Brisbane.

The Queensland government is under strong pressure from farmers to extend the pipeline to the Darling Downs, one of the nation's most prosperous agricultural regions, which is crying out for more water.

But Premier Beattie claims he doesn't have the funds. "This is on the scale of the Snowy River in a way," he said. "We're not opposed to the pipeline going to the Darling Downs, but we cannot do it without federal help. We need a joint partnership and there's a lot of politics in this stuff."


It wasn't that long ago that Minister Palaszczuk was saying that the pipeline wasn't viable. Now Premier Beattie is saying he'd do it if he had the money.

If it looks, smells and sounds like an election coming, it probably is ...