With the run up to the Federal Election in full swing, a recent Newspoll survey published in The Australian newspaper found 82 per cent of respondents said water planning was a key issue placing it ahead of health, education and the environment.
With much of the continent reeling from drought, the five major capital cities with their water capacity running between 20 and 33 per cent (only Hobart and Darwin currently have reasonable reserves), and numerous regional cities and rural towns under stage four or five water restrictions, water is certainly the hot topic.
The Federal Government’s $10 billion plan for Murray Darling basin (putting aside the hesitancy by Victoria to sign up) was one of the more remarkable recent examples of a willingness to refer powers by New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia’s State Governments to the Commonwealth Government. With water such a key resource, it has been said that, if the Prime Minister is successful in winner over Victoria, only the referral by the States of income tax to the Commonwealth during World War Two would eclipse this latest move. It further demonstrates how seriously the current water crisis is now viewed not only by all spheres of government but much of the business community and most residents.
Local Government has been playing its part in supporting its local community as it deals with the consequences of the drought, while in other areas not as affected, Councils have rallied their community to provide support in a multitude of ways to another drought ravaged community.
Wingecarribee Shire’s Help a Mate drought appeal is an excellent example. Located in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Wingecarribee has been raising money and collecting gifts to assist families in the much drier Lachlan Shire in the west of the State.
Hepburn Shire in Central Victoria, where its farmers are now in their tenth year of drier than average conditions, has been running a series of drought forums (refer page 3). Representatives from a wide range of service providers and agencies have been present to provide advice and information, but most importantly these forums are a means to draw the community together, show support and lend a hand, something that Local Governments are best placed to orchestrate.
Around the nation there are numerous examples of Councils with similar programs.
In other areas, Councils are looking at the longer term implications of climate change and water resources. For too long stormwater and other wastewater has been allowed to run into drains, waterways and then out to sea. Many Councils are actively encouraging householders to install water tanks, use water saving devices and reuse their grey water for gardens.
In the largest integrated urban water cycle management plan of its kind in Australia, Gold Coast City Council will have a recycled water pipe system (purple pipes) flowing with Class A+ recycled water for toilet flushing and outdoor use by the end of 2008 (refer page 12). Pimpama and Coomera, two suburbs in the City’s north, like many areas in south east Queensland are experiencing a population boom. Their current population of 17,000 is expected to reach more than 150,000 by 2056. In 2004, Gold Coast City Council, together with Gold Coast Water, developed the Pimpama Coomera Waterfuture Master Plan. This Master Plan is an internationally award winning program which addresses water conservation across the entire urban water cycle through the use of Class A+ recycled water, rainwater tanks, water sensitive urban design and wastewater management.
There is no doubt that many Local Governments providing water services will need to consider similar programs as they continue to meet their community’s current and future water needs.
