Qld: Premier set to announce water plan

AAP General News (Australia)
08-07-2006
Qld: Premier set to announce water plan

Premier PETER BEATTIE will tomorrow announce details of a major plan to drought-proof
Queensland's south-east .. which could include declaring a state of emergency.

State cabinet today gave the green light to a plan to establish a water grid in the
south-east .. after a new report showed it's in the grip of the worst drought on record.

Mr BEATTIE also took over the water portfolio from HENRY PALASZCZUK .. who's announced
he'll retire at the next election.

The water grid proposal is expected to include a new timetable for a number of already
announced initiatives .. including two new dams .. pipelines .. desalination plants and
water recycling for industry .. as well as groundwater projects and new ways to cut water
use.







Mr BEATTIE says there's only a 10 per cent chance of the south-east corner receiving
the rain it needs in the next six months.

He'll discuss the cabinet plan with the region's 18 mayors individually .. before tomorrow's
announcement.

The Premier says cabinet has made a decision on whether to declare a state of emergency
.. which would allow the government to seize control of local government-controlled water
assets if certain projects were not delivered within specific deadlines.

But details of the decision won't be announced until tomorrow morning.

Mr BEATTIE says the government will spend a small fortune delivering the water grid.

Opposition Leader LAWRENCE SPRINGBORG says Mr BEATTIE was spoiling for an election
before tough Level four water restrictions were introduced in the south-east.

But he says the Premier knows the restrictions will be extremely unpopular and his
government will suffer a backlash at the polls.

Mr SPRINGBORG says Mr BEATTIE wants to avoid that and con people into thinking he's
working to solve the water crisis when he and his government are to blame for the water
shortages south-east Queenslanders are being forced to endure right now.

AAP RTV pjo/sc/bart

KEYWORD: WATER QLD (BRISBANE)

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