FOUR BIG TICKS FOR XXXX

The Queensland Government has toasted a commitment by Brisbane’s iconic Fourex brewery to slash its consumption of drinking water by up to 1.1 million litres a day.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Paul Lucas, said the water saving would be achieved with the construction of a $16 million on-site recycling plant.

“The water recycling plant will be built by Castlemaine Perkins at the historic Milton Road brewery to free up to 1.1 million litres of precious drinking water for every day of beer production.

“To put that in context, over a five day beer production cycle that’s the equivalent of more than two Olympic sized swimming pools or 14.6 million stubbies – I’ll drink to that.

“I’m told the recycling plant will bring the brewery into line with world’s best practice and reduce by almost half, to less than 2.2 litres, the amount of drinking water needed to make a litre of beer.

“In the midst of the worst drought on record, that’s refreshing news.

“We ought to give Mr Fourex four big ticks instead.

Castlemaine Perkins Operations Director, Ian Roberts, said the Fourex brewery had reduced water use by 64% since 1990.

That’s a saving of 17,000 ML, or enough water to quench the thirst of the population of Redcliffe for 6 years.

“We’ve been playing an active role in cutting our water consumption long before the drought began to bite,” Mr Roberts said.

“The new recycling system will take our commitment to water conservation to the next level.

“After all it’s not only a precious resource but a crucial ingredient of Queensland’s favourite amber drop.

“Our on-site recycling plant is expected to deliver a 40% reduction on current mains water usage without affecting the taste and quality of our beer.

“The on-site recycled water won’t be going into the beer but will instead be used to clean packaging lines, lubricate the conveyor chain and flush toilets.

“Fourex is proudly Queensland, this investment demonstrates our commitment to the future of the Milton brewery,“ he said.

Mr Lucas said the Queensland Government would contribute $5.3 million to the brewery water recycling plant as part of the $55 million Business Water Efficiency Program.

“With residents of the South East more than halving their water consumption, the focus of proposed level six restrictions is on business.

“Although many like Castlemaine Perkins have achieved on-going savings, it’s time the rest stepped up to the plate.

“The goal of the Business Water Efficiency Program is to help firms across South East Queensland save 12 million litres a day by April 2008.

“We’re offering a helping hand with the cost of water saving projects for those water intensive businesses who used more than a million litres in 2005-06.

“So far more than 400 applications have been received with Castlemaine Perkins among those making significant investments to help meet the region’s water saving target, “ Mr Lucas said.

Construction of the Fourex on-site recycling plant starts in December and is planned to begin operation in late 2008.

Media Contact: Deputy Premier’s office, Darren Roberts 0448 184566.

                      Castlemaine Perkins, James Tait 0400 304147.