The Queensland Government and the Council of Mayors, South East Queensland released a report outlining a number of water supply solutions they were already working on for the region.
Natural Resources and Mines Minister Henry Palaszczuk and Council of Mayors (SEQ) Chairman Campbell Newman released the South East Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy (SEQRWSS) Stage Two Interim Report today.
Mr Palaszczuk said the interim report released today identified a number of projects that could help save water and access alternative supplies.
"The strategy is clearly not solely based on dams. There is already more than a trillion litres of unused water storage capacity in south-east Queensland dams," Mr Palaszczuk said.
"By 2026, we expect 3.7 million people will live in South East Queensland. This growth has to be supported by a secure, quality water supply."
Cr Newman said the 18 Councils had been working with the Queensland Government on the SEQRWSS to address the urgent challenges of the current drought.
"Local government is responsible for providing water to homes and businesses, so it's very important we work with the State Government and get smarter about the use of water resources, explore new options and protect water quality," he said.
"Although this strategy spells out some possible solutions, there is no quick fix to the drought. With dam levels at around 34%, we still need to watch every drop."
The Queensland Government provided $1.6 million funding towards stage two of the SEQRWSS and local Councils have contributed $1 million.
Short term projects highlighted for investigation in the interim report include:
* recycled water - collecting wastewater from Brisbane and Ipswich to supply to industry in the Western Corridor, Swanbank power station and possibly Tarong power station and Australia Trade Coast;
* recommissioning both Enoggera Dam and Lake Manchester;
* minor aquifers - investigating groundwater for emergency supplies in mainland areas in Brisbane, such as Oxley;
* regional pressure reduction and leakage management - $20 million from the Queensland Government to subsidise local government pressure reduction schemes. This is expected to save 50 - 75 megalitres per day across the region;
* inter-catchment water distribution - small storages in higher rainfall areas could be emptied more quickly to take advantage of their greater chance of being filled. Project will look at Gold Coast off-take, southern regional pipeline and North Stradbroke augmentation and possible Redland interconnection;
* indoor water efficiency - possibility of mandating rainwater tanks in new homes for toilet and external use;
* regional desalination - Gold Coast City Council has commissioned an advanced study to determine costs of a 55 - 110 megalitre per day desalination plant;
* Cedar Grove Weir - State Government to progress construction of Cedar Grove Weir on the Logan River;
* construct Mary River Weir - to improve security of supply for Gympie and Noosa.
Other medium and long term options include new infrastructure such as:
* raising of Hinze Dam and Wivenhoe Dam
* investigate recycled water options
* Wyaralong Dam
* recommissioning of Ewen Maddock Dam.
Cr Newman said the interim report primarily focuses on urban water provisions.
"The requirements for rural water supply will be done as part of the final report for the SEQRWSS due for release at the end of 2006."
The Queensland Government and the Council of Mayors is equally concerned about sustaining water supplies for rural communities.
Mr Palaszczuk said the Quensland Government has also initiated a review of the existing institutional arrangements for water in south-east Queensland.
"There are 19 major water supply storages with 12 different owners in the regions. A total of 18 local governments deliver water to their ratepayers, while a number of adjoining councils obtain water from south-east Queensland," he said.
The Council of Mayors (SEQ) represents the 18 Councils of South East Queensland - Beaudesert, Boonah, Brisbane, Caboolture, Caloundra, Esk, Gatton, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Kilcoy, Laidley, Logan, Maroochy, Noosa, Pine Rivers, Redcliffe, Redland and Toowoomba.
Media contacts:
* Kirby Anderson (Mr Palaszczuk's office) 3896 3689 or 0418 197 350
* Francis Quinlivan (Lord Mayor's office) 3403 4832 or 0408 709 160
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