Logan and Albert Conservation Association is a member of Queensland Conservation. QC has set out a guide to make our water supply sustainable and produced a formatted submission for you to send if you prefer.
QC and LACA don't believe that QWC fully understands the key to SEQ's water supply problems. Reduced rainfall due to Global warming will lead to decreased overall water availability. Combine this with increasing population and we cannot expect to even get close to returning to the water wasting ways of our recent past.
The main points that we believe should guide the QWC ‘s strategy are summarised below. Our reasons for emphasising these points follow. We invite you to use these points in your submissions to the QWC.
Alternatively you can download a formatted letter here with our main points, make your own additions or changes, then sign and lodge with the QWC.
- Key concerns:
QWC has made no attempt to discover if the population they are planning for is sustainable. A public enquiry is needed to determine the population carrying capacity of SEQ as a first step to establishing SEQ's long term sustainability.
Water resources should be used according to need, not fluctuate with dam levels. Current water consumption habits need to be embedded. Retain the 140 litre per person per day target permanently
Urban development, agriculture and industry must meet world's best water management practice.
Gardens and community open spaces are very important for community well being. QWC's strategy should include lowering water use by encouraging native and drought resistant species. A licensing system providing additional water should be established for local food production and native vegetation that provides a wide public or environmental benefit.
Recycling and reuse of water needs to be established throughout South East Queensland as the first priority. Desalination may have a place in SEQ's water supply if necessary after that. Dams are too destructive to agriculture and the environment and should not be considered.
The QWC strategy must aim to be carbon neutral by incorporating and delivering meaningful steps to: firstly avoid, secondly reduce or lastly mitigate greenhouse gas emissions as part of establishing SEQ's long term sustainability.
How to Have your say.
Visit the Queensland Water Commission website - Here - and fill in the feedback form using the points above as a guide.
Download the preformatted submission Here (Word document) make any changes or additions sign and post to:
Queensland Water Commission
PO Box 15087 City East 4002
Or download the submission copy the text, paste it into an email and send to:
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