Published Friday, 09 March, 2007 at 03:00 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure
The Honourable Anna Bligh
BEATTIE GOVERNMENT RESPONDS TO LEVEL 5
Premier Peter Beattie has announced a $20 million water-saving and education package to support Level 5 water restrictions announced today by the Queensland Water Commission.
“I want to thank the Queensland Water Commission,” Mr Beattie said.
“We are in the worst drought on record and in a situation never faced before.
“The Commission has worked with councils and stakeholder groups to create a balanced approach to the next stage of restrictions.
“Householders, business big and small and major industry including our power stations are all being asked to make greater savings.”
Mr Beattie said the $20 million water-saving package would assist everyone play their part under Level 5.
He said the new funding would be made up of $15.6 million to expand the Home Waterwise Scheme and a further $4.2 million on a region-wide water reduction campaign.
“Demand for the Home Waterwise service under Level 5 restrictions is expected to increase so the extra money will allow 76,000 retrofits through to June 30, 2008,” Mr Beattie said.
“These extra retrofits are expected to save up to 2.9 megalitres a day and are on top of the $15 million already provided by the State Government to help retrofit water-saving devices in South East Queensland.
“It will bring the total number of homes in the southeast which have fitted water-saving devices to more than 200,000.
“The reduction campaign will help ensure everyone knows how they can change their habits when it comes to things like how long we shower, how we use washing machines and dishwashers.
“The campaign will include the provision of shower timers and other initiatives to help all of us monitor our indoor water use.”
Mr Beattie congratulated residents for their willingness to do their bit during the worst drought on record.
“As the drought deepens we are all being called on to make even more of an effort to conserve our precious water supply,” Mr Beattie said.
“The additional funding will help in a number of ways including providing householders with a heavily-subsidised plumbing service to install water-saving devices and advice on other strategies including helping identify heavy water users so they can do better.”
Deputy Premier and Infrastructure Minister Anna Bligh said the community, business and industry now have two weeks to consider the proposed restrictions and provide feedback to the QWC before the restrictions come into force in a month.
“I would urge everyone in South East Queensland affected by water restrictions to carefully consider the draft and raise any concerns they have with the Commission,” Ms Bligh said.
“While we must continue to save water – and South East Queenslanders have already done a remarkable job – the jobs of workers in the horticulture and swimming pool industries among others must also be protected.
“South East Queensland families are already working hard to save water but we all need to do more inside our homes.
“Unlike outside watering, it is obviously impossible for councils to police internal water use.
“So we’ll be providing $4.235 million to support a major campaign to ensure everyone knows how they can change their habits when it comes to things like how long we shower, how we use washing machines and dishwashers.
“The campaign will include the provision of shower timers and other to help all of us monitor our indoor water use.
“Outside use will be further curtailed, with a ban on all but the washing of car windshields and mirrors and a cut by one day in the amount of garden watering we can all do.
“Of course, business and industry are also being forced to do more.
“The decision to cut the amount of water used by our power stations and draft rules on industry water use will help secure our water supplies during the drought.
“New rules for the pool industry and office towers will further reduce our water usage,” the Deputy Premier said.
For more information:
Premier’s Office – 3224 4500
Deputy Premier’s Office – 3224 6900
Friday, 9 March 2007
“I want to thank the Queensland Water Commission,” Mr Beattie said.
“We are in the worst drought on record and in a situation never faced before.
“The Commission has worked with councils and stakeholder groups to create a balanced approach to the next stage of restrictions.
“Householders, business big and small and major industry including our power stations are all being asked to make greater savings.”
Mr Beattie said the $20 million water-saving package would assist everyone play their part under Level 5.
He said the new funding would be made up of $15.6 million to expand the Home Waterwise Scheme and a further $4.2 million on a region-wide water reduction campaign.
“Demand for the Home Waterwise service under Level 5 restrictions is expected to increase so the extra money will allow 76,000 retrofits through to June 30, 2008,” Mr Beattie said.
“These extra retrofits are expected to save up to 2.9 megalitres a day and are on top of the $15 million already provided by the State Government to help retrofit water-saving devices in South East Queensland.
“It will bring the total number of homes in the southeast which have fitted water-saving devices to more than 200,000.
“The reduction campaign will help ensure everyone knows how they can change their habits when it comes to things like how long we shower, how we use washing machines and dishwashers.
“The campaign will include the provision of shower timers and other initiatives to help all of us monitor our indoor water use.”
Mr Beattie congratulated residents for their willingness to do their bit during the worst drought on record.
“As the drought deepens we are all being called on to make even more of an effort to conserve our precious water supply,” Mr Beattie said.
“The additional funding will help in a number of ways including providing householders with a heavily-subsidised plumbing service to install water-saving devices and advice on other strategies including helping identify heavy water users so they can do better.”
Deputy Premier and Infrastructure Minister Anna Bligh said the community, business and industry now have two weeks to consider the proposed restrictions and provide feedback to the QWC before the restrictions come into force in a month.
“I would urge everyone in South East Queensland affected by water restrictions to carefully consider the draft and raise any concerns they have with the Commission,” Ms Bligh said.
“While we must continue to save water – and South East Queenslanders have already done a remarkable job – the jobs of workers in the horticulture and swimming pool industries among others must also be protected.
“South East Queensland families are already working hard to save water but we all need to do more inside our homes.
“Unlike outside watering, it is obviously impossible for councils to police internal water use.
“So we’ll be providing $4.235 million to support a major campaign to ensure everyone knows how they can change their habits when it comes to things like how long we shower, how we use washing machines and dishwashers.
“The campaign will include the provision of shower timers and other to help all of us monitor our indoor water use.
“Outside use will be further curtailed, with a ban on all but the washing of car windshields and mirrors and a cut by one day in the amount of garden watering we can all do.
“Of course, business and industry are also being forced to do more.
“The decision to cut the amount of water used by our power stations and draft rules on industry water use will help secure our water supplies during the drought.
“New rules for the pool industry and office towers will further reduce our water usage,” the Deputy Premier said.
For more information:
Premier’s Office – 3224 4500
Deputy Premier’s Office – 3224 6900
Friday, 9 March 2007