Published Wednesday, 31 January, 2007 at 02:12 PM
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure
The Honourable Anna Bligh
BUSINESSES DO THEIR PART TO SAVE WATER
31 January 2007
Bundamba: South-East Queensland businesses are adopting water-wise practices to reduce the drain on our dam supplies, according to the latest monthly water reports.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure Anna Bligh said the December progress reports showed businesses were forecasting double the amount of water savings required under the Government’s emergency water regulation.
“At the same time residents are doing their part to save water, businesses are also pulling their weight,” Ms Bligh said.
“SEQ Councils estimate that businesses and government have saved approximately 25ML a day since June 2005 – about 10ML a day of which is attributed to the business sector.
“Business savings have been generated through measures such as the installation of water efficient taps and shower heads, dual flush toilets.
“Businesses made these changes off their own bat, with further savings projected under the State Government’s Business Water Efficiency Program (BWEP).
“According to the December report on the program, businesses are expected to double their targeted water savings from 12ML/day to 24ML/day by 30 April 2008.
“The BWEP plan was developed in consultation with councils with the goal of maximizing business savings. Through this planning process a strong view emerged that business was capable of exceeding the regulated targeted savings.
Ms Bligh said the $40 million BWEP program, which was managed by SEQWater, commenced in July 2006.
“Businesses in 21 Council areas that use more than 1ML a year are eligible for rebates for water efficient taps, shower heads and dual-flush toilets as well as subsidies of up to 50% for the cost of water smart practices such upgrading processing and manufacturing systems.
“According to the December report, Councils are currently working with 791 businesses – 467 of which use more than 10ML a year – on water efficiency measures,” she said.
“Much of the work by Councils over the past six months has centered on identifying eligible businesses and raising awareness about the BWEP program and water efficiency practices.”
BWEP has received its first 11 applications, including 29 individual projects, for water savings initiatives worth $300,000. Eight projects (worth $37k) have been assessed and approved. Successful applications to date include a property group with several CBD buildings and a major beverage manufacturer. Successful initiatives include retrofitting water efficient taps, toilets and showers as well as upgrades to a number of industrial processors.
The Deputy Premier released the Queensland Water Commission’s latest analysis of the region’s emergency water projects during an inspection of progress on Queensland’s new recycled water pipeline.
Ms Bligh said work on the Western Corridor Recycled Water Project was progressing well and remained on track to be completed by the end of December 2008.
“There’s a lot of interest in this project – not simply because it will be the largest recycled water project in Australia and the 3rd largest advanced wastewater treatment project in the world.
“But also because this is the project which will take purified recycled water into our dam catchment to supplement the south-east’s water supplies.”
The project involves the construction of approximately 200km of pipeline between Luggage Point and Caboonbah and three advanced water treatment plants.
She said the first pipes for the recycled water scheme were being laid between Bundamba and Swanbank in unison with another major project – the Southern Regional Water Pipeline- making a total date at Bundamba of 1.3km. 7.3km of pipeline has been laid for the southern pipeline bringing the total pipe laid to almost 9km.
Preliminary site preparation work has also commenced on the Luggage Point and Gibson Island advanced water treatment plants.
Ms Bligh said the December monthly reports showed the majority of projects identified in the water emergency regulation remained largely on track.
“The Queensland Water Commission is continuing its watching brief on the same projects that reported time delays or shortfalls in their water savings targets in November,” she said.
“The Water Leakage and Pressure Management Program is reporting a small deterioration in its forecast water savings targets from last month.
“I met with the Local Government Association of Queensland on 18 January to discuss the program and the efforts Councils are making to reach the targeted savings.
“I am pleased to see the program has reported an improvement in water loss savings on last month with the figure almost doubling from 5.19ML.day to 11.03ML.day in December.
“In addition, funding expenditure is increasing with the work occurring, with about $6 million from the $90 million program expected to be distributed to councils this month and next month.”
She said following a thorough assessment by the Water Commission of the delayed projects, in some instances she had accepted revised completion dates or water target volumes.
“These are outlined in the reports. However, given the gravity of South-East Queensland’s water situation, I have asked the relevant Councils or State Government agencies to investigate other measures to make up the water savings shortfalls.”
Media contact: Deputy Premier’s Office Steve Keating 322 44379
Bundamba: South-East Queensland businesses are adopting water-wise practices to reduce the drain on our dam supplies, according to the latest monthly water reports.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure Anna Bligh said the December progress reports showed businesses were forecasting double the amount of water savings required under the Government’s emergency water regulation.
“At the same time residents are doing their part to save water, businesses are also pulling their weight,” Ms Bligh said.
“SEQ Councils estimate that businesses and government have saved approximately 25ML a day since June 2005 – about 10ML a day of which is attributed to the business sector.
“Business savings have been generated through measures such as the installation of water efficient taps and shower heads, dual flush toilets.
“Businesses made these changes off their own bat, with further savings projected under the State Government’s Business Water Efficiency Program (BWEP).
“According to the December report on the program, businesses are expected to double their targeted water savings from 12ML/day to 24ML/day by 30 April 2008.
“The BWEP plan was developed in consultation with councils with the goal of maximizing business savings. Through this planning process a strong view emerged that business was capable of exceeding the regulated targeted savings.
Ms Bligh said the $40 million BWEP program, which was managed by SEQWater, commenced in July 2006.
“Businesses in 21 Council areas that use more than 1ML a year are eligible for rebates for water efficient taps, shower heads and dual-flush toilets as well as subsidies of up to 50% for the cost of water smart practices such upgrading processing and manufacturing systems.
“According to the December report, Councils are currently working with 791 businesses – 467 of which use more than 10ML a year – on water efficiency measures,” she said.
“Much of the work by Councils over the past six months has centered on identifying eligible businesses and raising awareness about the BWEP program and water efficiency practices.”
BWEP has received its first 11 applications, including 29 individual projects, for water savings initiatives worth $300,000. Eight projects (worth $37k) have been assessed and approved. Successful applications to date include a property group with several CBD buildings and a major beverage manufacturer. Successful initiatives include retrofitting water efficient taps, toilets and showers as well as upgrades to a number of industrial processors.
The Deputy Premier released the Queensland Water Commission’s latest analysis of the region’s emergency water projects during an inspection of progress on Queensland’s new recycled water pipeline.
Ms Bligh said work on the Western Corridor Recycled Water Project was progressing well and remained on track to be completed by the end of December 2008.
“There’s a lot of interest in this project – not simply because it will be the largest recycled water project in Australia and the 3rd largest advanced wastewater treatment project in the world.
“But also because this is the project which will take purified recycled water into our dam catchment to supplement the south-east’s water supplies.”
The project involves the construction of approximately 200km of pipeline between Luggage Point and Caboonbah and three advanced water treatment plants.
She said the first pipes for the recycled water scheme were being laid between Bundamba and Swanbank in unison with another major project – the Southern Regional Water Pipeline- making a total date at Bundamba of 1.3km. 7.3km of pipeline has been laid for the southern pipeline bringing the total pipe laid to almost 9km.
Preliminary site preparation work has also commenced on the Luggage Point and Gibson Island advanced water treatment plants.
Ms Bligh said the December monthly reports showed the majority of projects identified in the water emergency regulation remained largely on track.
“The Queensland Water Commission is continuing its watching brief on the same projects that reported time delays or shortfalls in their water savings targets in November,” she said.
“The Water Leakage and Pressure Management Program is reporting a small deterioration in its forecast water savings targets from last month.
“I met with the Local Government Association of Queensland on 18 January to discuss the program and the efforts Councils are making to reach the targeted savings.
“I am pleased to see the program has reported an improvement in water loss savings on last month with the figure almost doubling from 5.19ML.day to 11.03ML.day in December.
“In addition, funding expenditure is increasing with the work occurring, with about $6 million from the $90 million program expected to be distributed to councils this month and next month.”
She said following a thorough assessment by the Water Commission of the delayed projects, in some instances she had accepted revised completion dates or water target volumes.
“These are outlined in the reports. However, given the gravity of South-East Queensland’s water situation, I have asked the relevant Councils or State Government agencies to investigate other measures to make up the water savings shortfalls.”
Media contact: Deputy Premier’s Office Steve Keating 322 44379