Decades of dithering
THIS week’s WFTAG quiz is a true/ false format with a government theme. 1. Achieving water security has been top priority for successive councils since stage 1 of the Burdekin Falls Dam was completed in 1987. 2. Mid- 2016, with level 3 restrictions in place, the council reportedly said Townsville did not have a water supply problem; it had a water consumption problem. 3. The media- covered combined church leaders’ prayer vigil on Ross Dam wall, earlier this year led to rainfall that relieved harsh level 3 restrictions for a while. 4. The set watering times are not convenient for many people who are busy with kids am and pm, are shift workers, elderly, impaired or frail, work away, or are travelling. 5. The pumps should be turned on to keep Ross Dam full all the time. 6. Longstanding water insecurity has a damaging, far- reaching “ripple effect” — environmental demise, on city livability, outdoor activity, personal health and wellbeing ( physical and emotional), on consumer confidence, jobs and income, leisure, property values, tourism and community pride. 7. The Water Taskforce recommended in their Interim Report that Ross Dam is now inadequate and the Lower Burdekin should become Townsville’s primary supply. 8. The 2017 State Budget allocation of $ 225 million will fund infrastructure that provides Townsville with full water security for 60- plus years. 9. The LNP Opposition and One Nation parties have each committed to match or better the state’s $ 225 million for a new pipeline. 10. The length of the new duplicate pipeline is 36.5km. 11. The Federal Government has honoured its first ever intergovernmental City Deal by matching the state funding for Townsville’s TOP priority ... short and long- term water security. 12. The Queensland State Government and Council are vocally, relentlessly and publicly, lobbying the Federal Government to match the state’s $ 225 million. 13. If a wet season finally arrives and Ross Dam stays above 40 per cent, completion of the final 7km of the duplicate pipeline could be delayed until the level drops back under 30 per cent. 14. $ 225 million covers costs for a new treatment plant at Toonpan needed to process an increased Burdekin flow and as backup for the ageing Douglas Treatment Plant, which cannot be upgraded. 15. If the council’s new demand management ( Water Transition Package — WTP) strategies include smart meters, ratepayers will foot the full bill. 16. Jamie Durie is being paid $ 10 million to advise the council and the Townsville community on best water conservation practices. 17. New subdivision developers and contractors are being directed by the council to meet covenants for maximising water conservation ( eg indoor devices, storm water and rain capture, dry tropics landscaping and grey water recycling). 18. Residents can receive a rebate from the council for the water component of their rates if level 4 restrictions are enforced. 19. Raising the Burdekin Dam wall just 2m ( not 14m originally planned for stage 2) will simultaneously solve Townsville’s water problem and provide an excellent supply of hydro power. 20. The Hawke Federal Government and Bjelke- Petersen State Governments put aside political partisanship in 1984 to fully fund stage 1 of the massive Burdekin Falls Dam, which was completed from start to finish, in just three years.
Next week readers will be invited to submit digital photos of their Brownsville reality. To participate you need to become an online member and check the purpose, guidelines and closing date. Call our hotline for info. True 20 False 19 False 18 False 17 False 16 False 15 False 14 True 13 False 12 False 11 True 10 True 9 False 8 True 7 True. 6 False 5 True 4 False 3 True 2 False 1