The LGAQ welcomes the commitment from all sides of politics to the Bradfield Scheme but says the focus must be on water supply and quality in rural communities, and is calling on state and federal governments to commit to $500 million over five years of dedicated funding.
LGAQ CEO Greg Hallam said ageing assets were one of the greatest impediments to water security in regional Queensland.
“We stand on the edge of a water infrastructure cliff in bigger country towns and regional areas. The infrastructure is generally 50 to 60 years old and failing in some of these communities," he said.
“As it is, a pipe bursts every 80 minutes in those communities. It’s simply beyond smaller councils to fund this critical infrastructure. They didn’t pay for it in the first place and can’t pay for it now.”
“Significant towns like Stanthorpe are out of water while other communities such as Warwick are teetering on the precipice.”
“Only early this year people died in Havelock North New Zealand due to urban water supply quality issues. This is a deadly serious matter.”
Read more: LGAQ proposal for a regional water quality and wastewater protection fund.