Published Tuesday, 29 July, 2008 at 05:52 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Natural Resources and Water and Minister Assisting the Premier in North Queensland
The Honourable Craig Wallace
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
State takes action to ensure Cloncurry does not run out of water
The Bligh Government is taking action to ensure that the north-western town of Cloncurry has adequate water supplies now and into the future.
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt and Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace have advised that representatives from their respective departments will visit Cloncurry next week to assess the water supply situation first-hand.
Mr Pitt reassured Cloncurry residents that the State Government would not allow the town to run out of water.
“The Department of Local Government makes funding available to drought-stricken councils under the Urban Drought Water Program so that they can buy water and cart it in during emergency situations,” Mr Pitt said.
“Should the water supply situation in Cloncurry reach such a critical level, I will guarantee that funding is made available to provide for the immediate supply of the town.”
Mr Wallace said the two departments would work closely with the council to ensure Cloncurry had adequate water supplies for the short, medium and long term.
“Minister Pitt and I have arranged for departmental staff to visit the town at the request of the Member for Mount Isa, Betty Kiernan, who is keen for the community to have a proper understanding of all the issues surrounding water supply in Cloncurry,” he said.
“It is important for the medium and long term that the Cloncurry community recognises that it has a problem with over-use of water and acts to reduce its usage levels.”
Latest data indicates that Cloncurry residents use more than 700 litres per person per day.
“This high level of usage has contributed significantly to Cloncurry’s water shortage situation,” Mr Wallace said.
In May 2008, the State Government offered Cloncurry Shire Council $1.878 million in funding under the Department of Local Government’s Smaller Communities Assistance Program to upgrade its water infrastructure.
Mrs Kiernan said the funding offer had been dependent on the council meeting several conditions, including finalising and implementing drought management and system leakage management plans, providing accurate water supply and usage data, and putting in place demand-management measures.
“I am aware that the council is currently working on providing the required information to the State Government,” she said.
“Ministers Pitt and Wallace have said to me that their departments are happy to continue working with the council to assist with this process.
“In the longer term, more significant water infrastructure may need to be developed to support a growing Cloncurry community and this could require partnerships between government, the council and industry.
“We’d be happy to work with council and the community to explore solutions.”
Media contacts:
Mr Pitt – 3227 8819; Mr Wallace – 3896 3688; Mrs Kiernan – 4742 2530
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt and Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace have advised that representatives from their respective departments will visit Cloncurry next week to assess the water supply situation first-hand.
Mr Pitt reassured Cloncurry residents that the State Government would not allow the town to run out of water.
“The Department of Local Government makes funding available to drought-stricken councils under the Urban Drought Water Program so that they can buy water and cart it in during emergency situations,” Mr Pitt said.
“Should the water supply situation in Cloncurry reach such a critical level, I will guarantee that funding is made available to provide for the immediate supply of the town.”
Mr Wallace said the two departments would work closely with the council to ensure Cloncurry had adequate water supplies for the short, medium and long term.
“Minister Pitt and I have arranged for departmental staff to visit the town at the request of the Member for Mount Isa, Betty Kiernan, who is keen for the community to have a proper understanding of all the issues surrounding water supply in Cloncurry,” he said.
“It is important for the medium and long term that the Cloncurry community recognises that it has a problem with over-use of water and acts to reduce its usage levels.”
Latest data indicates that Cloncurry residents use more than 700 litres per person per day.
“This high level of usage has contributed significantly to Cloncurry’s water shortage situation,” Mr Wallace said.
In May 2008, the State Government offered Cloncurry Shire Council $1.878 million in funding under the Department of Local Government’s Smaller Communities Assistance Program to upgrade its water infrastructure.
Mrs Kiernan said the funding offer had been dependent on the council meeting several conditions, including finalising and implementing drought management and system leakage management plans, providing accurate water supply and usage data, and putting in place demand-management measures.
“I am aware that the council is currently working on providing the required information to the State Government,” she said.
“Ministers Pitt and Wallace have said to me that their departments are happy to continue working with the council to assist with this process.
“In the longer term, more significant water infrastructure may need to be developed to support a growing Cloncurry community and this could require partnerships between government, the council and industry.
“We’d be happy to work with council and the community to explore solutions.”
Media contacts:
Mr Pitt – 3227 8819; Mr Wallace – 3896 3688; Mrs Kiernan – 4742 2530