Stage 1
In May 2003, the State and SEQROC approved the commencement of Stage 1 of a multi-stage process to develop a regional water supply strategy. The main objectives of Stage 1 were to ensure that all local governments in the study area could meet their water supply needs to 2020, identify the regional infrastructure that must be progressed in the short to medium term; and an assessment of rural water needs.
Stage 1 of the South East Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy has now been completed and has provided a sound basis for further progressing the development of the Strategy.
Stage 1 has cost around $400,000 exclusive of significant in-kind work by State Agencies, SEQROC member councils and other stakeholders. The South East Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy Stage 1 report is based on work completed to August 2004.
The South East Queensland Regional Plan, released in June 2005, has implications for the outcomes and information contained within the Stage 1 Report. In particular, the sub-regional population projections associated with the propsed urban structure and the targets for residential per capita potable water consumption in the draft Regional Plan make some differences to the timing and extent of needs for augmentation of sub-regional water supplies. Refinement of these matters, the broader regional recomendations and alignment with the final statuatory regional plan will occur as future stages of the Strategy are progressed.
Work is underway to progress specific issues that have arisen from the Stage 1 analysis. Detailed assessments of options to augment the Gold Coast’s water supply are taking place and will contribute to the further development of the Strategy. Additional, updated hydrologic and planning assessments are also being undertaken as a matter of priority.
updated February 9, 2006