REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Saturday January 19, 2008

WATER, water everywhere … Gold Coasters got their hoses ready and packed the surfboards in the station wagon after the battle for the city’s beach showers was won.

Old-fashioned people power forced the Brisbane-based Queensland Water Commission to do a backflip and give Gold Coasters a “wet weekend”.

The city’s 220 beach showers were turned on indefinitely and Gold Coasters were able to wash their cars, houses and driveways over the Australia Day weekend.

The QWC admitted the campaign started by the Bulletin and Mayor Ron Clarke had influenced its final decision.

A united effort by the Gold Coast’s six Labor MPs to lobby Deputy Premier Paul Lucas also played a role.

It was believed Mr Lucas contacted the QWC to discuss its decision but QWC chief executive John Bradley denied the independent body had been overruled. Mudgeeraba MP Dianne Reilly said the decision was just deserts for Gold Coasters who had been among the best water-savers across the state.

‘‘This is fantastic news and I’m very happy that they have made a common sense decision,” she said.

“I’m sure that everyone who goes to the beach will be rejoicing at the news. They’ll finally be able to wash their surfboards.’’

At a hastily organised press conference on Surfers Paradise beach, Mr Bradley said the Gold Coast’s overflowing water stocks and public pressure had influenced the outcome.