Anna Bligh tries to take recycled water off the Toowoomba Regional Council campaign issue list ...
... and winds up putting it front and centre.
A plan to accelerate the link to Wivenhoe.
Qld Government Press Release:
25 January 2008
BLIGH ACCELERATES TOOWOOMBA WATER PIPELINE
The Bligh Government today committed $20 million to accelerate design and investigations for the development of a near-40km pipeline to ensure water security for Toowoomba.
The Premier Anna Bligh and Member for Toowoomba North, Attorney General Kerry Shine said the proposed Toowoomba pipeline - linking with the South East Queensland Water Grid - is now expected to be complete by late (DEC) 2009.
“The original plan was for this to happen in 2012, after we hope to have Traveston Crossing Dam Stage 1 on line, but the Garden City’s situation is no better and we must now accelerate our plan,” said Ms Bligh.
They said that following the completion of a preliminary business case, which included involvement by the Toowoomba City Council, a pipeline from Lake Wivenhoe to Lake Cressbrook is the preferred option.
“Toowoomba’s water supply situation is critical with some indications the current supply sources will be exhausted by early 2009,” said the Premier.
“Current dam levels are about 11 per cent and Toowoomba is currently on Level 5 restrictions.
“Toowoomba currently relies on is water supply from a mixture of surface water from three dams Perseverance, Cooby and Cressbrook that supply 85 per cent of demand and groundwater from bores into the Toowoomba basalt aquifer supply the remainder.
“Since 2006, the Toowoomba Water Futures Taskforce consisting of State Government, Toowoomba City Council and local community representatives have considered water supply options.”
Ms Bligh said that in the intervening period, before the pipeline’s completion, the search for other ground water supply measures would continue.
Mr Shine said that late last year the State Government announced it would provide $11.8 million for the drilling of bores into the Great Artesian Basin as an emergency measure.
“We have been working with the community and we will continue working collaboratively with the Toowoomba City Council to find the water solution for the Toowoomba region,” he said.
The Government’s new bulk water authority LinkWater will be responsible for the design and investigation of the Toowoomba pipeline project.
posted by Concerned Ratepayer at 6:08 PM
5 Comments:
Labor Government by stealth let the Toowoomba hicks drink from the toilet - the very thing we fought against
6:57 PM, January 25, 2008
This is about Thorley trying to have her own way as she is still smarting about the lose of her pet project to have us drink from the toilet.
Just watch the next thing will be the blame game!!!
8:50 PM, January 25, 2008
25 January 2008
For immediate release
Toowoomba Mayor welcomes Queensland Premier’s announcement
Toowoomba Mayor Councillor Dianne Thorley welcomed today’s (Friday 25 January) announcement by Queensland Premier Anna Bligh regarding a new water pipeline.
Ms Bligh announced that the State Government has committed $20 million to accelerate design and investigations for the development of a 40-kilometre pipeline linking Lake Wivenhoe with Lake Cressbrook, one of Toowoomba’s three water supply storages.
“It is encouraging that the State Government has made its intentions clear regarding Toowoomba accessing water from the South-east Queensland water grid,” Cr Thorley said.
“I applaud the Premier for fast tracking this pipeline to ensure Toowoomba has a sustainable water supply by late 2009.”
However, Cr Thorley did have some reservations about the announcement.
“The only negative with the recycled water cocktail that will eventually come from Lake Wivenhoe is that it will come at a much greater cost than recycled water originally proposed by Toowoomba City Council’s Water Futures program.
“My vision for Toowoomba has always been for a self sufficient, sustainable, prosperous city that took responsibility for itself but this hasn’t been achievable.
“The pipeline was one option Toowoomba City Council investigated when considering its preferred option of adding recycled water directly to its water storage dams.
“Whether recycled water comes from Brisbane or Toowoomba, I can assure residents it is safe to drink.
“It means that Toowoomba regional residents will end up paying more for water and water assets paid for by the Toowoomba community may not remain in their hands.
“We can thank the anti recycled water campaigners for this legacy.
“They did not put forward any viable alternatives but merely used the NO campaign as a political football.
While the pipeline will ensure a sustainable water supply for Toowoomba in the long term, Toowoomba faces a water crisis in the short term with its three water supply dams at an average 11% capacity.
“Water restrictions will be in force in Toowoomba for a long time yet and Toowoomba City Council will continue with its bore-drilling programme to source emergency supplies until the water supplies are secured through the Wivenhoe pipeline,” Cr Thorley said.
-ENDS-
9:52 PM, January 25, 2008
What a risk they are taking as there is 63% of the population who have not changed their minds.
With the confused messages being delivered by the city engineer and Deputy Mayor as to whether the bores will sustain the community, I am sure the people will not believe this latest rot being peddled as truth.
One minute we could not have a pipe line and now Ramia would have you believe that we should run them everywhere!!!
I smell an election in the air and the truth is the first casualty.
10:22 PM, January 25, 2008
Thorley's hatred and loathing of 62% of Toowoomba voters has signed the electoral death warrants for her sewer sippers.
11:21 PM, January 25, 2008
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