Published Wednesday, 08 October, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Queensland stadiums halve water consumption
Queensland’s sporting and entertainment venues are saving 80 Olympic swimming pools of water a year, through innovative measures to reduce water consumption.
Sport Minister Judy Spence today revealed: “The seven venues owned and operated on behalf of the Queensland Government by Stadiums Queensland have cut their combined water consumption by more than 50% in the past three years.
“All Queenslanders have made an outstanding effort to help conserve our precious water resource and I’m pleased that Queensland’s stadiums have also achieved major reductions, of an estimated 200 mega-litres a year.
“Our sporting and entertainment facilities play an important role in promoting a healthy and active lifestyle, so it is fitting they lead by example in reducing water consumption and looking after our environment.”
Ms Spence said, last year alone the Bligh Government invested almost $2 million in reducing water consumption and improving water storage at Stadiums Queensland facilities.
“We have now increased the total storage capacity of our venues to 4.86 million litres – ten times their original capacity,” Ms Spence said.
“Venues have incorporated a range of new environmentally-friendly measures such as installing rain-water tanks and retrofitting venues with water-saving devices.
For example:
• The new $160 million Skilled Park on the Gold Coast has three 320,000 litre storage tanks which harvest rain water from the stadium roof to irrigate the playing field and for general stadium cleaning. Water savings have also been achieved by using improved turf species that are more resistant to drought and by watering deeper and less frequently.
• A one million litre tank at the Gabba was installed underneath the playground of the neighbouring East Brisbane State School as a result of creative thinking to find space to accommodate the large tank.
“The drastic reduction in water consumption achieved by our venues again demonstrates the Bligh Government’s commitment to environmental sustainability,” Ms Spence said.
“We will continue to incorporate innovative and efficient water-saving measures into new and existing facilities, so we can continue to meet our Towards Q2 targets for a smarter, greener Queensland.”
Media Contact: 3239 6172
Sport Minister Judy Spence today revealed: “The seven venues owned and operated on behalf of the Queensland Government by Stadiums Queensland have cut their combined water consumption by more than 50% in the past three years.
“All Queenslanders have made an outstanding effort to help conserve our precious water resource and I’m pleased that Queensland’s stadiums have also achieved major reductions, of an estimated 200 mega-litres a year.
“Our sporting and entertainment facilities play an important role in promoting a healthy and active lifestyle, so it is fitting they lead by example in reducing water consumption and looking after our environment.”
Ms Spence said, last year alone the Bligh Government invested almost $2 million in reducing water consumption and improving water storage at Stadiums Queensland facilities.
“We have now increased the total storage capacity of our venues to 4.86 million litres – ten times their original capacity,” Ms Spence said.
“Venues have incorporated a range of new environmentally-friendly measures such as installing rain-water tanks and retrofitting venues with water-saving devices.
For example:
• The new $160 million Skilled Park on the Gold Coast has three 320,000 litre storage tanks which harvest rain water from the stadium roof to irrigate the playing field and for general stadium cleaning. Water savings have also been achieved by using improved turf species that are more resistant to drought and by watering deeper and less frequently.
• A one million litre tank at the Gabba was installed underneath the playground of the neighbouring East Brisbane State School as a result of creative thinking to find space to accommodate the large tank.
“The drastic reduction in water consumption achieved by our venues again demonstrates the Bligh Government’s commitment to environmental sustainability,” Ms Spence said.
“We will continue to incorporate innovative and efficient water-saving measures into new and existing facilities, so we can continue to meet our Towards Q2 targets for a smarter, greener Queensland.”
Media Contact: 3239 6172