Qld: Govt to use big stick to get water grid

AAP General News (Australia)
08-08-2006
Qld: Govt to use big stick to get water grid

By Paul Osborne

BRISBANE, Aug 8 AAP - The Queensland government plans to impose emergency powers and
fines to force councils to complete major drought-breaking water works in the state's
south-east.

Premier Peter Beattie said today emergency powers spelt out in regulations to be introduced
to parliament would compel 18 south-eastern councils to adopt a range of measures to boost
water supplies.

A raft of projects would link in to a grid allowing water to be shared between dams
and other water storage sites through an interconnected set of pipelines.

Business and industry would also be required to save water and councils would have
to act quickly to fix leaky pipes and upgrade ageing dams.

"It is clear that we have a developing emergency with water," Mr Beattie told parliament.

The south-east corner is in the midst of its worst drought on record, with little chance
of significant rain in the next three months.

Mr Beattie said councils would be fined if they did not take specific action to tackle
water issues within certain timeframes.

The fines would include up to $75,000 for failing to lodge a water supply emergency
response and up to $125,000 for failing to comply with a direction to carry out a specific
measure.

The government could also appoint its own people to take over management of the projects.

"This is tough legislation for a tough situation and I make no apologies for it," Mr
Beattie said.

"We cannot afford any slippage on these vital projects."

Mr Beattie also today signalled he had changed his mind on a 2008 referendum on recycled
water, saying it could be brought forward to as early as June 2007.

He said he had been advised that the western corridor recycled water scheme and spur
line into Wivenhoe Dam could be completed by April 2008 - seven months earlier than originally
expected.

"Given the shorter timeframe ... I will, if the councils in south east Queensland that
will participate in the water grid are prepared to support a `yes' vote and pass a motion
to that effect, take it to the people as soon as June 2007," he said.

"If the Governor-General agrees, a referendum could be held in conjunction with the
federal election or at another suitable time."

Mr Beattie said under the new regulations all 18 councils in the south-east would have
to provide detailed plans by September 30 for substituting recycled water for industry
and business using more than 100 megalitres a year.

The government will also hold a series of public forums to outline its plan to tackle
the water crisis, with the first to be held at Parliament House on Saturday.

Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said the government had failed to tackle the
water issue in eight years in office and the current crisis was of its making.

"The Labor government has failed to invest in new infrastructure over eight years," he said.

Mr Beattie will meet with council mayors this afternoon to discuss the plan.

AAP pjo/sc/it/sd

KEYWORD: WATER QLD LEAD

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