HISTORIC 50-YEAR WATER PLANNING BEGINS FOR WIDE BAY–BURNETT

Water Minister Craig Wallace and Member for Hervey Bay Andrew McNamara today announced the start of the Wide Bay-Burnett Regional Water Supply Strategy, which will look at the region’s water needs for the next 50 years.

Mr Wallace said the Regional Water Supply Strategy was the longest-term study ever attempted for the region.

“The future growth and prosperity of the Wide Bay-Burnett region will depend on its having a good water supply,” Mr Wallace said.

“To ensure that supply we will look at desalination, greater recycling of waste water, use of underground water, assistance to small communities and optimising use of water in regional dams and weirs, including Paradise Dam,” he said.

Mr McNamara said the Regional Water Supply Strategy also would look at the impact of climate change.

“The strategy area will cover an area bounded by Miriam Vale Shire in the north, Monto to Chinchilla shires in the west and Nanango to Cooloola shires in the south,” he said.

“A draft strategy is expected to be prepared by mid 2008 with the strategy completed in early 2009.”

The Wide Bay-Burnett Strategy will consider:

·Desalination plants - temporary or permanent - to provide emergency back-up water supplies.

·Waste water recycling for industry and rural use.

·The water supply of small communities, which will be an early priority for the study, looking at the use of groundwater, pipelines and rainwater tanks.

·Optimising the use of water from dams and weirs, including looking at future uses of water from Paradise Dam.

·Looking at taking the pressure off groundwater in the Bundaberg area, through, for example, more use of surface water from Paradise Dam.

·Promoting greater use of rainwater tanks, greywater systems, water-efficient washing machines and shower roses.

"I also am pleased to announce that a regionally-based Strategy Management Committee has been established to help direct the strategy at a local level."

A Stakeholder Reference Panel will be formed to give Wide Bay and Burnett stakeholders a voice in the development of the strategy.

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