Recycled Water Strategy
- Reviewing RWS Milestones
- Queensland Water Commission’s draft South East Queensland Water Strategy
- The work of the RWSAC is a valuable regional contribution
- Signing off
Council thanks the Recycled Water Strategy Advisory Committee for their work. Pictured the Advisory Committee with Chair Di Tarte, Cr Daphne McDonald, Cr Grant Pforr, Cr Peter Young and Cr Chris Robbins.
July 2008
Introductory Message
Welcome to the final edition of the Gold Coast Waterfuture Recycled Water Strategy (RWS) eNewsletter.
Council would like to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of the Recycled Water Strategy Advisory Committee (RWS AC) all of whom have made a significant contribution to this project. We sincerely thank all committee members for their hard work and dedication since October 2006.
Council also thanks the broader Gold Coast community for its involvement. In particular, we acknowledge the Junior Council and their work in involving a number of young people in the strategy development process.
The work of the RWS Advisory Committee is a wonderful example of engagement between Council and the community and Council is proud to have been part of this process.
Councillor Daphne McDonald
Deputy Mayor
Chair Water Management Committee
Reviewing RWS Milestones
The RWS Advisory Committee was formed in October 2006 with the purpose of developing a Recycled Water Strategy for the Gold Coast. The committee has met 16 times since its formation. At these regular meetings, the committee reviewed and considered complex technical, economic and scientific information in order to develop a comprehensive, adaptable and sustainable Recycled Water Strategy for the Gold Coast.
Many uses for recycled water were identified and thoroughly investigated in the quest to develop the strategy. The committee’s focus was to maximise the use of recycled water and minimise the release of excess recycled water to the ocean and waterways.
Details about the development of the strategy are available at www.goldcoastwater.com.au/recycledwaterstrategy
Queensland Water Commission’s draft South East Queensland Water Strategy
In May 2007 the Queensland State Government announced the South East Queensland (SEQ) Urban Water Reform. Under the new model for water management, the State Government will take ownership of dams, water treatment plants, bulk water transport infrastructure and water grid management.
SEQ Councils, through shareholdings in new companies, will retain ownership in the water and wastewater networks, wastewater and recycled water treatment plants and retail services including customer service and billing.
Long-term water, wastewater and recycled water planning will also become a State Government responsibility.
In March 2008 the Queensland Water Commission (QWC) released its draft South East Queensland Water Strategy (SEQWS) for public comment. This strategy aims to keep the demand and supply for South East Queensland’s water supply in balance over the next 50 years.
The QWC gave the Gold Coast Waterfuture Recycled Water Strategy Advisory Committee an overview of the State Government’s strategy at the final Advisory Committee meeting on Thursday 15 May 2008.
The QWC acknowledged the extensive work that the RWSAC has done in producing the draft Gold Coast Waterfuture Recycled Water Strategy.
Key elements of the QWC’s draft SEQ Water Strategy include a focus on demand management which aims for a 24 percent reduction in water use over pre-drought conditions; and planning ahead for additional water supply to meet population growth and potential climate change impacts. This will occur through diversified water sources, including climate resilient supplies such as desalination and purified recycled water.
The draft SEQ Water Strategy is now available for review and is open for public comment at www.qwc.qld.gov.au. Feedback will be accepted up until July 31 2008.
The work of the RWSAC is a valuable regional contribution
The work of the Recycled Water Strategy Advisory Committee has now officially concluded and the draft Gold Coast Waterfuture Recycled Water Strategy will now be given to the QWC.
GCCC will continue to contribute to the State Government’s planning for recycled water use, as there may be future opportunities in Gold Coast City for the use of suitably treated recycled water for purposes beyond those identified in the QWC SEQ Water Strategy.
Signing off
If you would like more information about recycled water and the draft strategy please feel free to visit the website at:
www.goldcoastwater.com.au/recycledwaterstrategy
We thank you again for your interest and participation.
Website: www.goldcoastwater.com.au/recycledwaterstrategy
Email: waterinfo@goldcoatwater.com.au
Phone: 1300 366 692
Write: Recycled Water Strategy, Gold Coast Water, PO Box 5042, GCMC, 9729
