PLANS CATER FOR GOLD COAST, BRISBANE RIVER AREA WATER USE

Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace is calling for public submissions on draft plans for water management in Queensland’s two largest urban areas.

The draft resource operations plans for the Gold Coast and Moreton areas have now been released for public view and comment.

“The release of these draft plans is an important step along the road to ensuring that water resources in these major catchments are allocated and managed in a sustainable way,” Mr Wallace said.

“The Gold Coast plan area covers 1,302 square kilometres and includes the catchments of the Nerang, Coomera and Pimpama Rivers, and Tallebudgera and Currumbin creeks.

“The Moreton plan area covers 15,631 square kilometres and includes the catchments of the Brisbane River, Pine Rivers, Caboolture River, Cabbage Tree Creek and the Pumicestone creeks.

“Both of these areas have been undergoing a period of unprecedented growth, and the catchments support a number of water uses including stock and domestic supply, irrigation, urban industry and urban water supply.

“These Resource Operations Plans aim to balance the needs of the environment with those of the growing community, town water suppliers and other users.”

Water resource planning is a complex process involving a thorough analysis of all the rivers and streams in the catchment to develop a clear understanding of the quantity of water available and how it should be used.

The Water Resource Plans developed for both areas have previously established the maximum amount of water that can be extracted from the catchments for human needs such as irrigation and urban demand, while protecting environmental needs.

The draft Resource Operations Plans now aim to put the Water Resource Plans into practice, by breaking down how that water is extracted and used.

“These draft Resource Operations Plans outline in detail the operating and environmental management rules, the water sharing rules, the water trading rules, and monitoring and reporting requirements for water supply schemes in both of the plan areas,” Mr Wallace said.

“They allow us to deliver on water for the environment as well as secure water supplies for human needs such as urban water use in the future.

“Through Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland, the Bligh Government has set targets to further protect Queensland’s lifestyle and natural environment from the pressures of a growing population and climate change.

“Our water resource planning helps to ensure we are planning for growth in South-East Queensland, through the sustainable allocation of our precious water resources,” Mr Wallace said.

Member for Broadwater Peta Kaye-Croft welcomed the release of the draft Gold Coast plan and encouraged her community members to have their say on the management rules.

“Local input is crucial to the long-term success of these plans,” Ms Croft said.

“This public consultation process ensures the opinions of members of the public are taken into account and I urge interested parties to put forward their views.”

Submissions on the draft Gold Coast and draft Moreton Resource Operations Plans are open until 18 March 2009.

Further information is available at: www.nrw.qld.gov.au/wrp/goldcoast and

www.nrw.qld.gov.au/wrp/moreton or by telephoning 1800 308 252.

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