NATIONAL WATER WEEK A TIME TO VALUE PRECIOUS RESOURCE

The State Government encourages all Queenslanders to celebrate National Water Week with a range of activities to highlight the need to preserve the precious resource.

Minister for Natural Resources and Water, Craig Wallace, said the week-long calendar of activities can be viewed at ww.nrw.qld.gov.au/events/water_week

“The celebrations kick off at Logan City Council’s Water Expo from 10am today (October 19),’’ he said.

“The expo promotes water conservation among the community and rewards students who have been involved in designing posters for a local water competition.

“The State Government’s water mascot, Whizzy, will also be present. Whizzy is the face of our Water: Learn It For Life! program which helps primary students across Queensland learn more about water recycling, conservation and use.

“I encourage all Queenslanders to log on and check out the National Water Week program, via the department’s website.’’

As part of the week-long celebrations, Mr Wallace will visit Blackall, 1120km north-west of Brisbane, to view an artesian bore which will be capped and piped under the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative (GABSI).

“The GABSI program is approaching a milestone for the 10,000^th kilometre of piping which is being laid to replace open bore drains which lose millions of litres of water through evaporation,’’ he said.

“Capping and controlling these artesian bores and wasteful bore drains with efficient schemes is a win-win for the environment.

“The Queensland Government has set five goals under the Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland initiative. GABSI supports two of these ideals which are to promote a strong and green Queensland.”

Other National Water Week celebrations include:

Waterwise at the Museum – October 19, all week – A Waterwise Museum display will be erected to share in the adventures of Whizzy. The public can view some of the films and animations from the recent 2008 Liquid Lens Short Film Competition. Open all week. For more information www.southbank.qm.qld.gov.au

Logan City Water and Energy Extravaganza – October 19, from 10am-2pm - Logan City Water and Energy Extravaganza. For more information www.logan.qld.gov.au

Humpybong State School, Margate. Waterwise Bucket loads of savings! package launch – October 21, 2pm – Minister to launch the Bucket loads of savings! package for local council staff as part of Waterwise community education program.

Ernest Street Margate. UBD Reference page 91, Q15

Go to: www.nrw.qld.gov.au/waterwise

Healthy Waterways Ecosystem Health Report Card launch – October 22, 11.15am - NRW will host the Healthy Waterways Ecosystem Health report card launch for the western region of South East Queensland. Venue: Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Gatton Research Station, Warrego Highway just before Gatton, opposite the UQ Gatton College.

GABSI Milestone – October 23, 11am – Minister to visit Burra Burra Bore near Blackall – to view site for the 10,000th km of bore drain which will be laid in coming months. Piping replaces open bore drains under the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative (GABSI). See. www.nrw.qld.gov.au/water/gab/management

Waterwise Schools Recognition Program launch – October 24, 9am– Minister to launch the Waterwise Schools Recognition Program at The Willows State School, Townsville. The program recognises and rewards primary schools that demonstrate waterwise attitudes and behaviours. Address: Cnr Sandstone Drive and Bilberry Street, Kirwan, Townsville. www.nrw.qld.gov.au/waterwise/education

Australian Centre for Lifestyle Horticulture Smart Gardening Day – October 25, 8am–3pm – Department of Natural Resources and Water will showcase a Waterwise display at the Australian Centre for Lifestyle Horticulture (ACLH) Smart Gardening Open day at the Redlands Horticultural Research Station, Delancey Street Cleveland from 8am.

Go to: http://www.lifestylehort.org/events.html

National Water Week runs from October 19-25.

Media contact: Minister Wallace’s office, 3896 3688.