With the theme ‘Safeguarding Our Communities’ Water’, over 100 Queensland Councils participated in Local Government Week 2006 which ran from 15-21 May. Informative activities and entertaining events were held throughout the many communities, promoting a greater awareness and understanding of Councils’ roles and responsibilities in relation to urban water issues communities are currently facing.
Local Government Association of Queensland President, Councillor Paul Bell, said communities take for granted the simple process of turning on a tap and enjoying endless streams of water. “Wasting water and a lack of dependable rainfall in our waterways and catchment areas places an incredible strain on our communities’ water supply systems,” Councillor Bell said.
The uses of water are many, from drinking and cleaning to irrigating crops and landscapes. Water is used for cooling, dust control and manufacturing. In Queensland water is also used regularly for recreational purposes including pools, theme parks and sprinklers. On another level, the splash and flow of water in streams and fountains soothes and inspires. The key consideration for Councils, urban water providers and communities is the long term sustainability of water supplies.
The water crisis has become such a critical issue in Queensland that the State Government recently released a bill to establish a new Queensland Water Commission. The Commission will be responsible for overseeing the planning and provision of water in the State, recommending to the State Government what should be done to secure the water supply in a region, not only against drought situations, but also for the future growth of the area.
“During Local Government Week Councils throughout Queensland embraced the opportunity to showcase their commitments to managing water and expressed the importance of community participation in sustaining water supplies for the future,” Councillor Bell said.
Local Government Week 2006 also ran a successful state wide colouring competition for primary school students and an “Express iT” competition for high school students. The competitions were sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water and focused on safeguarding water supplies.
Councils, along with their business communities, also participated in two business breakfasts held in Brisbane and Cairns. With representatives from government and the business community and moderated by news media personalities, the breakfasts provided an opportunity for participants to divulge their thoughts and plans on managing the water crisis.
Some Local Government Week activities that were held throughout the State included Council open days and festivals, mock Council meetings for students, dam and conservation water tours, debates, public relations campaigns, school visits and golf challenges. The diversity of activities reflects the localised nature of Local Government Week and the unique relationship each Council has with its own community.
“It was great to use Local Government Week this year to focus on such an important and highly debated topic, that is and will affect the survival of all communities throughout Queensland,” Councillor Bell said.
Visit www.lgw.lgaq.asn.au to view Councils’ week events for 2006. Local Government Week is coordinated by the LGAQ and is sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water, SunWater, the Department of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation, The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Wide Bay Water Corporation, Australian Local Government Women’s Association, Dial Before You Dig, Department of Public Works, HR Total Solutions, Queensland Water Directorate and Local Government FOCUS.
Local Government Week launched in conjunction with Brisbane City Council
Queensland Minister for Environment, Local Government, Planning and Women, Desley Boyle, officially launched Local Government Week 2006 on 16 May at Queen Street Mall, Brisbane, as part of Brisbane City Council’s Watersense Business Efficiency Program launch. Brisbane Lord Mayor, Campbell Newman, launched the pilot Watersense Business Efficiency Program with four of Brisbane’s larger water consuming businesses, designed to reduce commercial water use by 20 per cent.
“With Brisbane experiencing the worst drought in more than 100 years, Council is introducing a number of initiatives designed to achieve a 20 per cent reduction in commercial water use – a saving of more than 9 billion litres each year,” Councillor Newman said.
The Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water was the principal sponsor for Local Government Week and Minister Henry Palaszczuk awarded the State Winners of the Colouring Competition and Express iT Competition.
Local Government Association of Queensland President, Councillor Paul Bell said the Brisbane City Council is an excellent example of Councils establishing strategies to conserve water with the launch of the Brisbane Water’s Water Sense Business Efficiency Program.
“Water efficiency programs like the Brisbane City Council’s pilot model are essential to ensuring water sustainability by assisting communities to reduce water consumption, create water and wastewater treatment solutions, lessen the impacts on the environment and sustain water quality,” Councillor Bell said.
Students use colour to highlight water saving tips
Danica Armstrong, a grade seven student from Millmerran State Primary School, in the Millmerran Shire and Dylan Ginns, a grade three student from The Cathedral School in Townsville are the winners of the Department of Natural Resources Mines and Water Local Government Week 2006 State Colouring Competition.
“The winning entries were chosen from thousands of entries received from students in metropolitan, regional and rural areas across the state,” said Local Government Association of Queensland President, Councillor Paul Bell. “The task of selecting the winning entries for the state and regions was difficult. All students had put a great deal of work and effort into their entries,” he said.
Wondai student poet wins LG Week competition
Shannen Beer, a grade nine student from Wondai State School in the Wondai Shire has won the Local Government Week creative competition, Express iT, sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources Mines and Water. Shannen used her creative talents to write a poem about the water crisis communities throughout Queensland are currently facing.
What Water??
The water continues flowing
The water levels die
Our water supply is going
And soon it will be dry
We have to try and slow the flow
To preserve what still remains
But first the public has to know
How much the tank contains
Reduce the town water usage
To preserve whatever remains
Or cut back on the wastage
And dampen the water domain
