Recycled Water Strategy
September 2007
Introductory Message
Welcome to the third edition of the Recycled Water Strategy eNews. After 10 months of hard work, the Recycled Water Strategy Advisory Committee has reached an exciting time in this groundbreaking, community project.
The 50-year recycled water strategy will become an important legacy for the future of our city because it will help to secure an adaptable and flexible water supply for the Gold Coast.
The newsletter provides an update on the development of the strategy. More information can be found on the Gold Coast Water website.
Cr Daphne McDonald
Chair Water Sustainability Committee
Why develop a recycled water strategy?
At present we use approximately 20 per cent of the city's recycled water supply. The aim is to increase this amount to approximately 80 per cent by 2056. To achieve this target, Council and a community-driven advisory committee are developing a long-term strategy that will make the most of this valuable water resource and in turn help to secure the city's water supply in flexible and adaptable ways. This means that the city won't be dependent on rainfall alone for its water supply.
The planning process will also gather comprehensive community feedback for the Gold Coast City Council, State Government and Queensland Water Commission about how the Gold Coast community wants to see recycled water managed across the city over the next 50 years.
Recycled water is an abundant and valuable resource that has many uses and produces great benefits for our city's businesses, residents, visitors and communities. Even in times of enduring drought, there is a plentiful supply of recycled water in south east Queensland.
Strategy option assessment
A detailed assessment of four recycled water strategy options is now being undertaken by the advisory committee and Gold Coast Water. The three common objectives of all options being considered are to:
- Conserve drinking water supplies
- Optimise the use of recycled water
- Minimise the release of excess recycled water to the ocean and rivers especially during periods of low rainfall
The four strategy options all include recycled water use in:
- Greenfield (new development) dual reticulation
- Cane field irrigation
- Wetland regeneration
- Irrigation of high value community recreation areas such as the soon to be developed Broadwater Parklands and the redevelopment of the Surfers Paradise Beach esplanade
- Water supply replenishment
The advisory committee is also planning for the storage of recycled water to increase its availability all year round.
The four strategies being assessed focus on:
- Brownfield dual reticulation (existing/developed areas)
- Industry and Irrigation
- Water Supply Replenishment
- Irrigation and Water Supply Replenishment
The impacts of each strategy over the next 50 years are being carefully assessed and the advisory committee is focusing on financial cost, technical considerations, social issues and environmental factors such as greenhouse gas emissions and carbon offset costs.
For more information about the four strategies refer to Factsheet 6 - Finalising the Recycled Water Strategy
Youth involvement
Four GCCC Junior Councillors have been participating in the Recycled Water Strategy Advisory Committee meetings and rotate their attendance. They will represent the young people of the Gold Coast when casting their vote on the final strategy.
Deepening young peoples' understanding of recycled water is an important focus of the advisory committee, because the final strategy will greatly affect the city's future generations of residents, businesspeople and visitors.
In order to reach young people, the Junior Councillors are coordinating a high school survey which will be distributed to Gold Coast high schools during September. The results of the survey will be presented to the advisory committee and inform its development of the final recycled water strategy.
Project timeline
The Recycled Water Strategy Advisory Committee has been meeting since October 2006. The committee's aim is to identify its preferred strategy by October 2007 and then seek broad community input and feedback during November this year. Early in 2008, the committee intends to present its recommended strategy to Gold Coast City Council and then to the Queensland Water Commission and the State Government.
Below is an overview of the proposed project timeline:
- October 2006: First meeting of the Recycled Water Strategy Advisory Committee starts
- October 2006 to June 2007: Advisory committee meets monthly to research and learn recycled Water details
- July 2007: Advisory Committee identifies four final recycled Water Strategy options for assessment
- August to September 2007: Advisory committee assesses all four options in details
- October 2007 to November 2007: Advisory committee identifies preferred strategy and opens broad community consultation
- December 2007: Community input, feedback, changes considered and integrated. Advisory committee develops final strategy
- February 2008: Advisory Committee presents recommended recycled water strategy to Gold Coast City Council
- April to May 2008: Gold Coast City Council presents strategy to Queensland Water Commission and Queensland Government
Community presentations
Community presentations on the recycled water strategy are now available and the recycled water project team has already visited a number of communities and local groups from Paradise Point to Tugun. Check the website for dates and locations.
What's new
A new fact sheet has been developed on the options currently being considered by the advisory committee to finalise the strategy. This information will assist you in better understanding the strategy options.
Make sure to check the website regularly as more updates are coming soon.
How you can get involved
There are many ways that you can find out more about the recycled water strategy and get involved in its development. Ways to get involved include:
Attend or request a community presentation – for dates and times of community presentations. Read more at How you can stay informed.
To request a presentation to your community or group contact the project team at waterinfo@goldcoastwater.com.au.
Visit the recycled water website for project updates – Find out what is being discussed at the advisory committee meetings. Agendas, presentations, and minutes of the meetings are available on our website. Read more at Recycled Water Strategy Advisory Committee.
Attend an Advisory Committee meeting – Advisory Committee meeting dates and times are all listed on the project website. All meetings are open to the community. Read more at Recycled Water Strategy Advisory Committee.
Comments and questions – You can contact the project team any time to request information or provide feedback on the project:
Website: www.goldcoastwater.com.au/recycledwaterstrategy
Email: waterinfo@goldcoatwater.com.au
Phone: 1300 366 692
Mailing: Recycled Water Strategy, Gold Coast Water, PO Box 5042, GCMC, 9729
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