Former Townsville council CEO to assist with Cloncurry water crisis
Published Friday, 29 August, 2008 at 05:39 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
The appointment of former Townsville City Council CEO Brian Guthrie to assist Cloncurry Shire Council with its water crisis has been welcomed, as he prepares to meet with Queensland Government officials to find ways to address the shortage.
The Queensland Government yesterday announced financial support to Cloncurry Shire Council to help defray the estimated $400,000 a month to cart water into the town for domestic use.
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt and Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan said the assistance was being provided through the government’s Urban Drought Water Program, designed to assist communities whose water supplies have been severely depleted through drought.
“Situations like we are faced with in Cloncurry remind us that some of our western communities are still struggling with the crippling effects of drought,” Mr Pitt said.
“Brian Guthrie’s background as a former Council CEO and as former head of the Townsville-Thuringowa Water Authority will greatly assist Cloncurry Shire Council to work through the immediate crisis and more importantly, look at strategies to secure water supplies for the area well into the future.”
Mr Pitt said he had discussed implementation of measures to address the town’s water crisis yesterday with Mrs Kiernan and Natural Resources Minister Craig Wallace.
Mrs Kiernan said Mr Guthrie had been appointed to work with the Council to investigate water-protection options available to them in the short term and to develop strategies to prevent similar water shortages from recurring. Strategies could include tapping into existing underground water bores, constructing pipelines from nearby available water sources or cleaning out the river well system.
“Mr Guthrie will work with the Cloncurry council to move forward with the completion of reports, studies and plans relating to the Cloncurry Water Supply which will provide the necessary recourses to ensure they are able to comply, not only with this water crisis but will also assist them to ensure compliance with regulatory obligation under the Water Act.
“Mr. Guthrie will also be working with Council and Sunwater to develop the long term plan to secure Cloncurry’s water supply," Mrs Kiernan said.
“Mr Guthrie’s expertise will give the council the very best chance to address the current issues, and by working in collaboration with various agencies within the Queensland Government, provide for a secure and stable water supply for Cloncurry residents into the future,” Mrs Kiernan said.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819; Mrs Kiernan 0427 152 477
The Queensland Government yesterday announced financial support to Cloncurry Shire Council to help defray the estimated $400,000 a month to cart water into the town for domestic use.
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt and Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan said the assistance was being provided through the government’s Urban Drought Water Program, designed to assist communities whose water supplies have been severely depleted through drought.
“Situations like we are faced with in Cloncurry remind us that some of our western communities are still struggling with the crippling effects of drought,” Mr Pitt said.
“Brian Guthrie’s background as a former Council CEO and as former head of the Townsville-Thuringowa Water Authority will greatly assist Cloncurry Shire Council to work through the immediate crisis and more importantly, look at strategies to secure water supplies for the area well into the future.”
Mr Pitt said he had discussed implementation of measures to address the town’s water crisis yesterday with Mrs Kiernan and Natural Resources Minister Craig Wallace.
Mrs Kiernan said Mr Guthrie had been appointed to work with the Council to investigate water-protection options available to them in the short term and to develop strategies to prevent similar water shortages from recurring. Strategies could include tapping into existing underground water bores, constructing pipelines from nearby available water sources or cleaning out the river well system.
“Mr Guthrie will work with the Cloncurry council to move forward with the completion of reports, studies and plans relating to the Cloncurry Water Supply which will provide the necessary recourses to ensure they are able to comply, not only with this water crisis but will also assist them to ensure compliance with regulatory obligation under the Water Act.
“Mr. Guthrie will also be working with Council and Sunwater to develop the long term plan to secure Cloncurry’s water supply," Mrs Kiernan said.
“Mr Guthrie’s expertise will give the council the very best chance to address the current issues, and by working in collaboration with various agencies within the Queensland Government, provide for a secure and stable water supply for Cloncurry residents into the future,” Mrs Kiernan said.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819; Mrs Kiernan 0427 152 477