FINALISED PLAN FOR WATER RESOURCES ON GOLD COAST

The Queensland Government has released the finalised Gold Coast Water Resource Plan (WRP).

Minister for Natural Resources and Water Craig Wallace said the plan provided a framework for sustainable management of the area’s water resources.

"The Gold Coast area and the entire region are undergoing a period of unprecedented growth and change, with pressure on the sharing of water from the Gold Coast’s catchments,” Mr Wallace said.

“The WRP addresses the significant future growth challenges in South East Queensland and recognises the importance of the environment and of the rural sector to the region,” he said.

To achieve these objectives, the WRP:

·proposes to set aside additional water for a strategic reserve of up to 30,000 megalitres per annum of high priority water to support future growth

·quantifies flow objectives in order to minimise impacts on environmental values of waterways

·provides a general reserve from within the plan area for rural purposes

·improves certainty for water users by specifying and protecting water entitlements

·provides for the conversion of some existing water entitlements to tradable water allocations, and

·creates a general reserve to allow overall growth in water use where appropriate.

The Nerang and Coomera are the major rivers in the plan area, which also includes the PimpamaRiver and Tallebudgera and Currumbin creeks.

Mr Wallace said the Gold Coast WRP had been finalised after widespread public consultation.

Copies of the plan are available at www.nrw.qld.gov.au/wrp/goldcoast.html

Media inquiries: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s office, on 0407 131 654.