Emergency drought assistance for Toowoomba: Bligh
Published Monday, 01 October, 2007 at 08:23 AM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Toowoomba: Drought-stricken Toowoomba will receive more than $11.8 million in emergency grant funding from the State Government to construct new water bores, Premier Anna Bligh said today.
The Premier, in Toowoomba today, said that it would enable Toowoomba City Council to construct emergency bores to access water from the Great Artesian Basin.
“The Cressbrook, Cooby and Perserverance dams are the main sources of Toowoomba residents drinking water and council is tapping into the Great Artesian Basin to meet the city's growing needs,” Ms Bligh said.
“However, the failure of Wetalla bore to deliver water of suitable drinking quality means other options need to be explored to secure the city’s future water supply.
“Council will now undertake immediate measures, including drilling two additional emergency bores to access an additional 3,000 megalitres each year.
“This will ensure that Toowoomba and its surrounding communities continue to have suitable drinking water available until alternative sources are found.
“The sites - one near Cooby Dam, and the other West Toowoomba, north of the Warrego Highway at Nass Road - will be tested for water quantity and quality prior to installation of permanent infrastructure at the bore sites,” Ms Bligh said.
Member for Toowoomba North, Attorney-General Kerry Shine welcomed the grant.
“It sits well with the Government’s previous commitments to add Toowoomba to the South East Queensland Grid,” he said.
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said the grant was provided through the Urban Drought Water Program, which helped councils cover the cost of sourcing, purchasing and/or transporting water.
“Through the scheme, up to 75 per cent is available to councils towards the cost of domestic water supply systems where they have been severely depleted by extreme drought conditions,” Mr Pitt said.
“Obviously, these are significant costs for Toowoomba council, which is why the State Government has come forward with $11,841,300 to ensure the local community has a continued supply of drinking water,” he said.
Media Contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
The Premier, in Toowoomba today, said that it would enable Toowoomba City Council to construct emergency bores to access water from the Great Artesian Basin.
“The Cressbrook, Cooby and Perserverance dams are the main sources of Toowoomba residents drinking water and council is tapping into the Great Artesian Basin to meet the city's growing needs,” Ms Bligh said.
“However, the failure of Wetalla bore to deliver water of suitable drinking quality means other options need to be explored to secure the city’s future water supply.
“Council will now undertake immediate measures, including drilling two additional emergency bores to access an additional 3,000 megalitres each year.
“This will ensure that Toowoomba and its surrounding communities continue to have suitable drinking water available until alternative sources are found.
“The sites - one near Cooby Dam, and the other West Toowoomba, north of the Warrego Highway at Nass Road - will be tested for water quantity and quality prior to installation of permanent infrastructure at the bore sites,” Ms Bligh said.
Member for Toowoomba North, Attorney-General Kerry Shine welcomed the grant.
“It sits well with the Government’s previous commitments to add Toowoomba to the South East Queensland Grid,” he said.
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said the grant was provided through the Urban Drought Water Program, which helped councils cover the cost of sourcing, purchasing and/or transporting water.
“Through the scheme, up to 75 per cent is available to councils towards the cost of domestic water supply systems where they have been severely depleted by extreme drought conditions,” Mr Pitt said.
“Obviously, these are significant costs for Toowoomba council, which is why the State Government has come forward with $11,841,300 to ensure the local community has a continued supply of drinking water,” he said.
Media Contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819