Published Wednesday, 20 December, 2006 at 11:04 AM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
PREMIER RELEASES MAP CONFIRMING DRAMATIC DECLINE IN SEQ RAINFALL OVER SEVEN YEARS
During his briefing to business and community leaders on the March 17 purified recycled water plebiscite Premier Peter Beattie released a map from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology showing that South East Queensland has received the lowest rainfall on record over the past seven years.
The map plots rainfall from December 1, 1999 to November 30 this year and also records the fact that about half of Queensland has experienced below average or very much below average rainfall. *
“This is a reminder to all of us that we must take positive action now to ensure we have secure, sustainable water supplies for the booming South East corner of the State,” Mr Beattie said.
“Large areas of our State are suffering the worst ever decline in rainfall and the briefing was told that the climatologists’ prognosis for this summer is not encouraging.
“I want to thank everyone who took the time to attend today’s briefing by water experts.
“Over the coming months we will be providing similar information to communities across the South East,” Mr Beattie said.
The Premier also welcomed an announcement by the Queensland Water Commission that it was establishing an expert advisory panel to provide independent advice on the science behind purified recycled water.
“Commission Chair Elizabeth Nosworthy has announced that the panel will be chaired by senior deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Queensland, Professor Paul Greenfield.
“I am told the Professor Greenfield is an expert in wastewater and environmental management and his team of local, national and international experts in the scientific fields of ecotoxicology, advanced water treatment, the environment, and microbiology will provide a valuable service to people wanting to carefully considering all of the information in the lead-up to the plebiscite.
The panel will report directly to the Queensland Water Commission which has been charged with the responsibility of providing information to the community on purified recycled water.
*Media organisations requiring an electronic copy of the map should contact the Premiers Media Unit on the number below.
Wednesday December 20, 2006
Media Contact: Premier’s Office – 3224 4500
The map plots rainfall from December 1, 1999 to November 30 this year and also records the fact that about half of Queensland has experienced below average or very much below average rainfall. *
“This is a reminder to all of us that we must take positive action now to ensure we have secure, sustainable water supplies for the booming South East corner of the State,” Mr Beattie said.
“Large areas of our State are suffering the worst ever decline in rainfall and the briefing was told that the climatologists’ prognosis for this summer is not encouraging.
“I want to thank everyone who took the time to attend today’s briefing by water experts.
“Over the coming months we will be providing similar information to communities across the South East,” Mr Beattie said.
The Premier also welcomed an announcement by the Queensland Water Commission that it was establishing an expert advisory panel to provide independent advice on the science behind purified recycled water.
“Commission Chair Elizabeth Nosworthy has announced that the panel will be chaired by senior deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Queensland, Professor Paul Greenfield.
“I am told the Professor Greenfield is an expert in wastewater and environmental management and his team of local, national and international experts in the scientific fields of ecotoxicology, advanced water treatment, the environment, and microbiology will provide a valuable service to people wanting to carefully considering all of the information in the lead-up to the plebiscite.
The panel will report directly to the Queensland Water Commission which has been charged with the responsibility of providing information to the community on purified recycled water.
*Media organisations requiring an electronic copy of the map should contact the Premiers Media Unit on the number below.
Wednesday December 20, 2006
Media Contact: Premier’s Office – 3224 4500