Aquagen is running a survey in the Sunshine Coast Daily for regional residents to have their say about future water supply. SCEC members and readers are encouraged to fill out the form with a view to discouraging dams as the solution. On the form we have left the first option open as it is a possibility to update existing infrastructure to put recycled water via Ewen Maddock dam. Just to be used as a dam would have serious implications for environmental flows and other ecological externalities. Please fill in the AQUAGEN SURVEY FORM which can be found at www.aquagen.qld.gov.au and also PLEASE WRITE TO AQUAGEN (please forward survey and letter to the replied paid address –see below for free postage). We encourage people to write letters to Aquagen as well as councilors in Maroochy and Caloundra on the failings of the survey.
Points to include are:
To have quantitative responses next to the place for the public to fill out is leading (or misleading)
Some of the preliminary impact rating figures are inaccurate such as 2 for environmental impact for desalination
Figures for recycling and water tanks are flawed (the later claims up to 20% yet the drier city of Brisbane claims up to 40%)
The last option talks of a dam to provide all of SEQ water needs. This would have to be a huge dam if it could provide 100% of the water.
Many people don’t know enough to make and informed decision and a priority should be a thorough education campaign.
There are typos such as the 4 ranking for raising of Wappa dam yet in the survey it is only 3
Aquagen should set up a community advisory panel with representation from groups such as SCEC.
Contact Maroochy Council on :PO Box 76
Nambour, Queensland 4560
Mayor Joe NATOLI ([email protected]) Telephone: (07) 5441 8351
Contact Caloundra Council on :PO Box 117
Caloundra City Council, Qld 4551
Mayor Don Aldous ([email protected]) Telephone: (07) 5420 8200
For Free Postage write the following:
AQUAGEN,
Future Water Sources Survey
Reply Paid 83628
Hawthorn BC Vic 3122