Govt to re-evaluate water restrictions

Residents at Kandanga celebrate the rejection of the Traveston Crossing Dam.

Contributed by Arkin Mackay www.stoppress.com.au

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Traveston Crossing dam rejected

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Traveston dam rally

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Peter Garrett visits Traveston Dam site

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Steve's trip to save the Mary River

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Turtles of the Mary Valley

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THE Queensland government has had to re-evaluate a relaxing of water restrictions and its long-term water plan because of the Federal Governments's scrapping of the Traveston Crossing Dam, Natural Resources Minister Stephen Robertson says.

The government will on Friday unveil a 50-year strategy to shore up the water supply for the state's fast-growing southeast corner.

An announcement is also expected that the easing of the daily water use target of 200 litres per person to 230 litres will no longer go ahead on December 1.

The new strategy follows Environment Minister Peter Garrett's vetoing of the government's planned "drought-proofing" Mary Valley dam on environmental grounds last week.

Mr Robertson said on Friday morning the assumptions made in the draft water strategy for the next 40 to 50 years had factored in the Traveston Dam and therefore had to be reconsidered.

"I think it's only the responsible thing to do in light of the decision not to proceed with Traveston Dam that we, if you like, recalibrate on the basis of no new large dam being built in southeast Queensland to ensure that we don't go back to those dark days where the security of our water supply was brought into real question," he told ABC Radio on Friday.

Asked whether the 200-litre limit would remain, Mr Robertson said he would make that announcement later in the day.

"What we've asked ourselves ... is whether we should proceed with the 230 (litre) target from first of December, or whether we should just take a precautionary approach over summer whilst we finalise the water supply strategy, whilst we get a handle on the full implications of not having Traveston online," he said.

The government had also considered whether greater flexibility should be allowed on how each person's 200-litre limit could be used, given that Brisbane residents were demonstrating such responsibility in using less than their limit.

"Perhaps it is time that we recognise how responsible we have become and give a bit of slack, give a bit of reward for the fantastic effort that we've all made over the last couple of years," he said.

Brisbane residents are using about 167 litres a day - well below the target - but residents on the Gold Coast are using just over 200 litres and Sunshine Coast residents are using 246 litres, according to the water commission.

The long-term strategy could also involve delaying the construction of four proposed desalination plants, depending on how other elements of the plan work.

Mr Robertson is due to unveil the strategy on Friday at 1pm (AEST).