Water Supply Minister Mark McArdle today launched a discussion paper to guide the development of a 30 Year Water Sector Strategy to ensure affordable, secure, sustainable and high quality water and sewerage services across Queensland.
Mr McArdle said the Queensland Water Sector Discussion Paper, designed to facilitate active discussion and participation in creating a new path for Queensland s water future in urban, rural, regional and remote communities, is a key element of the Newman Government’s Six Month Action Plan.
“The Queensland Government is committed to lowering the cost of living and it s vital that we appropriately plan for our future water and sewerage needs, given the cost impact of these services on households, businesses, local governments and community groups”, Mr McArdle said.
“The Discussion Paper focuses on what Queensland s future water needs may look like and discusses and identifies the opportunities and challenges Queenslanders are likely to face over the next 30 years.
“Our water vision cannot be achieved by government alone, and this discussion paper needs input and innovative ideas and solutions to help realise our water future.
Mr McArdle said it was vitally important that all Queensland water users took the opportunity to contribute to the state s water vision including householders, local governments, water service providers as well as the agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, construction and the resources sectors.
“All aspects of the water industry will be examined, including how water is supplied and delivered to the myriad of end users, operation of infrastructure and how to improve the integration of water and sewerage management”, he said.
The consultation period for the discussion paper closes on 29 March 2013.
An animated video detailing the challenges faced by Queensland s water sector has also been released to encourage householders, businesses and industry to participate in the discussion.
Further information is available at http://www.dews.qld.gov.au/policies/water-sector-reform/30-year-water-strategy or on the Water Queensland Facebook page, on Twitter.
[ENDS] 18 December 2012 | Media Contact: Minister’s Office 07 3896 3690 / 0417 277 905
