Premier Beattie - time to reveal Level 5 secrets ...

Excerpt from ABC News:

Beattie to brief mayors on level five water restrictions

5 March 2007

The countdown begins today for level five water restrictions in south-east Queensland.

The next stage of drought measures will kick in next month, but the details cannot be unveiled until all the mayors have been briefed later this week.

To complicate matters, not all councils are obliged to follow the plan because some local dams are in better shape than others.

Premier Peter Beattie wants everyone on the same page.

"That means everybody pulling in the same direction, not being selfish and worried about simply getting re-elected," he said.

Mr Beattie has a similar warning for the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union in its dispute with a water pipe construction company over pay and conditions.

"Queenslanders would take a very dim view if there was an attempt by anybody to hold the State Government hostage at a time when we're in the middle of a drought," he said.

But the union has already said it is hopeful the dispute can be resolved soon.

See - Level 5 water restrictions discussed.

And an excerpt from the Courier Mail:

Taps to tighten further

6 March 2007

Southeast Queenslanders could be asked to cut at least another 20 litres per person from their daily water consumption when tough level 5 restrictions begin next month.

The target for level 4 restrictions has been 200 litres per person per day, but the target is expected to fall "under 180" litres when the new restrictions begin on April 10.

About 10 litres of water flows through each minute in a shower without a water saving nozzle, while a full toilet flush takes 12 litres of water.

Despite community pressure, the Water Commission has refused to reveal its level 5 restrictions before briefing southeast Queensland mayors on Friday.

Consumers were conservative during February's mild weather, dropping individual consumption to about 180 litres per person. But consumption levels exceeded 200 litres per person in January.

Mayors were still in the dark on level 5, despite pledges of close local and state co-operation when the Commission was created.

Redcliffe Mayor Allan Sutherland said he was "bitterly disappointed" the Commission had not adequately consulted with mayors on level 5 strategy.

Suspicions are the Water Commission will force councils to identify and fine residents who use too much water, but this may be impractical and beyond the scope of local government.

"I'm fearful what's happening will divide neighbour against neighbour," Cr Sutherland said.

See - Mayors still in the dark o Level 5 water restrictions.