Published Tuesday, 15 May, 2007 at 03:47 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
MORE MONEY TO SAVE WATER IN GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS
Premier of Queensland, Peter Beattie revealed today that more funding was to be allocated in the upcoming State Budget so that Government buildings meet and exceed Level 5 water restrictions.
“The community is making changes to their homes and buildings and how they deal with water. We need make sure we are absolutely rigorous about getting our own house in order as well,” Mr Beattie said.
“An extra $5 million dollars over the next two years will be allocated in the upcoming budget to the Department of Public Works Water Smart Buildings Program, which is designed to save water in commercial buildings, facilities and parks owned by Public Works on behalf of the Queensland Government.
“The Department of Public Works has been targeting the highest water use buildings because that is where you get more bang for your buck. If we can make reductions in the intensively used buildings, it has a greater impact on water use overall.
“That is why one of the first buildings we targeted for water savings was the Queensland Police building in Roma Street. It is a 24/7 building, and in the top 100 of water use buildings in Brisbane. In that building alone a retrofit meant we saved 18,000 kilolitres in three months.
“Funding of $5.3 million has already been allocated to the Department’s Water Smart Buildings Program.
“The aim is to demonstrate successful water-saving technologies and practices while meeting, or exceeding, the proposed Level 5 Water Restrictions.
This additional funding will allow the Department of Public Works to roll out the program faster, in more buildings.
Minister for Public Works Robert Schwarten said that contracts have been let for full water retrofits in eleven major high-rise buildings in the Brisbane CBD, focusing on taps, showers, urinal adjustments, and replacing single-flush toilets with dual-flush models.
“The works are completed in the Landcentre, Forestry House and Health Building. Retrofit works have now begun in the CITEC building.
“We are also experimenting with chemical systems in cooling towers to reduce the amount of water used in air conditioning for the upcoming summer months.
“Chemical systems have now been installed in the four government commercial buildings with cooling towers and a further eighteen government commercial office buildings in South East Queensland will be installed before the end of June 2007 to reduce water usage.
“What we are trying to do is apply the latest technology to our buildings water management, and demonstrate what can be achieved in commercial buildings.”
15 May, 2007
Further inquiries: Premier’s Office: 3224 4500
Office of Minister Schwarten: 3237 1184
“The community is making changes to their homes and buildings and how they deal with water. We need make sure we are absolutely rigorous about getting our own house in order as well,” Mr Beattie said.
“An extra $5 million dollars over the next two years will be allocated in the upcoming budget to the Department of Public Works Water Smart Buildings Program, which is designed to save water in commercial buildings, facilities and parks owned by Public Works on behalf of the Queensland Government.
“The Department of Public Works has been targeting the highest water use buildings because that is where you get more bang for your buck. If we can make reductions in the intensively used buildings, it has a greater impact on water use overall.
“That is why one of the first buildings we targeted for water savings was the Queensland Police building in Roma Street. It is a 24/7 building, and in the top 100 of water use buildings in Brisbane. In that building alone a retrofit meant we saved 18,000 kilolitres in three months.
“Funding of $5.3 million has already been allocated to the Department’s Water Smart Buildings Program.
“The aim is to demonstrate successful water-saving technologies and practices while meeting, or exceeding, the proposed Level 5 Water Restrictions.
This additional funding will allow the Department of Public Works to roll out the program faster, in more buildings.
Minister for Public Works Robert Schwarten said that contracts have been let for full water retrofits in eleven major high-rise buildings in the Brisbane CBD, focusing on taps, showers, urinal adjustments, and replacing single-flush toilets with dual-flush models.
“The works are completed in the Landcentre, Forestry House and Health Building. Retrofit works have now begun in the CITEC building.
“We are also experimenting with chemical systems in cooling towers to reduce the amount of water used in air conditioning for the upcoming summer months.
“Chemical systems have now been installed in the four government commercial buildings with cooling towers and a further eighteen government commercial office buildings in South East Queensland will be installed before the end of June 2007 to reduce water usage.
“What we are trying to do is apply the latest technology to our buildings water management, and demonstrate what can be achieved in commercial buildings.”
15 May, 2007
Further inquiries: Premier’s Office: 3224 4500
Office of Minister Schwarten: 3237 1184