Published Saturday, 02 August, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
PREMIER JOINS GARDENERS IN WELCOMING TARGET 170
Premier Anna Bligh celebrated the first weekend of Target 170 at her local nursery today, stocking up on new plants for her garden in time for Spring.
Ms Bligh said for the first time in two years, South-East Queenslanders were able to use their hoses this weekend, a welcome reprieve for many households.
“Under Target 170 - or ‘High Level’ restrictions - hosing is allowed for ½ hour on the weekend, and we expect the community to take advantage of this in a water efficient way to revive their gardens,” Ms Bligh said.
“Your local nursery will be able to advise you of how to keep your gardens water efficient by selecting and planting drought tolerant plants, what mulch to use, and how best to utilise wetting agents or water crystals.
“This reprieve recognises the incredible job south-east Queenslanders have done in conserving water through the worst drought we have ever seen.
“The community has endured no hosing for two years now and their efforts, along with the recent rainfall, has seen the dams reach 40 percent.
“And with the water grid coming on line at the end of this year – we are unlikely to see restrictions like that ever again.”
Ms Bligh said residents now had an extra 30 litres per person per day under Target 170, but that wasn’t an excuse to waste water.
“It’s important to remember that one minute of hosing uses 20 litres of water. So 10 minutes of hosing would use up an entire individual’s weekly extra allowance under Target 170,” she said.
“The community has done such a superb job in reducing water use to a record low of 112 litres, recorded earlier this month.
“With such a great track record and the fact that we have such a water wise community I don’t expect water consumption figures to increase dramatically.”
High Level Restrictions allows for households to have limited hosing with a trigger or twist nozzle for just half an hour per odd numbered house on Saturdays and even numbered on Sunday, between the hours of 4:00pm and 4:30pm.
Under Target 170 the community can:
• Wash vehicles, clean external surfaces of houses, buildings materials and equipment and water gardens and plants using a hand held hose with a trigger or twist nozzle for 30 minutes a week between 4:00-4:30pm (odd numbered houses on Saturdays and Even numbered on Sundays)
• Bucket water gardens on any day between 4pm and 8am
• Use a bucket for cleaning anytime
Under no circumstances is a hose to be used on paving, pathways or driveways.
Restrictions on filling or topping up of pools remain unchanged.
For more information visit www.qwc.qld.gov.au.
Saturday, 2 August 2008
Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office)
Ms Bligh said for the first time in two years, South-East Queenslanders were able to use their hoses this weekend, a welcome reprieve for many households.
“Under Target 170 - or ‘High Level’ restrictions - hosing is allowed for ½ hour on the weekend, and we expect the community to take advantage of this in a water efficient way to revive their gardens,” Ms Bligh said.
“Your local nursery will be able to advise you of how to keep your gardens water efficient by selecting and planting drought tolerant plants, what mulch to use, and how best to utilise wetting agents or water crystals.
“This reprieve recognises the incredible job south-east Queenslanders have done in conserving water through the worst drought we have ever seen.
“The community has endured no hosing for two years now and their efforts, along with the recent rainfall, has seen the dams reach 40 percent.
“And with the water grid coming on line at the end of this year – we are unlikely to see restrictions like that ever again.”
Ms Bligh said residents now had an extra 30 litres per person per day under Target 170, but that wasn’t an excuse to waste water.
“It’s important to remember that one minute of hosing uses 20 litres of water. So 10 minutes of hosing would use up an entire individual’s weekly extra allowance under Target 170,” she said.
“The community has done such a superb job in reducing water use to a record low of 112 litres, recorded earlier this month.
“With such a great track record and the fact that we have such a water wise community I don’t expect water consumption figures to increase dramatically.”
High Level Restrictions allows for households to have limited hosing with a trigger or twist nozzle for just half an hour per odd numbered house on Saturdays and even numbered on Sunday, between the hours of 4:00pm and 4:30pm.
Under Target 170 the community can:
• Wash vehicles, clean external surfaces of houses, buildings materials and equipment and water gardens and plants using a hand held hose with a trigger or twist nozzle for 30 minutes a week between 4:00-4:30pm (odd numbered houses on Saturdays and Even numbered on Sundays)
• Bucket water gardens on any day between 4pm and 8am
• Use a bucket for cleaning anytime
Under no circumstances is a hose to be used on paving, pathways or driveways.
Restrictions on filling or topping up of pools remain unchanged.
For more information visit www.qwc.qld.gov.au.
Saturday, 2 August 2008
Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office)