Basis of Stage 1 of the SEQRWSS
General Objectives of Stage 1
Stage 1 will focus on the immediate and short-term water supply needs of SEQROC members. During this stage, short to medium term rural water demands will also be assessed.
The objective of Stage 1 is to ensure that the security of short-term water supplies does not undermine medium and long-term planning aimed at improving productivity from available regional water resources.
Stage 1 planning will be assessed up to 2020 and will identify water needs—based on current standards of service. However, only issues that require attention before finalisation of the regional water supply strategy will be addressed. Where necessary, arrangements will be made to provide new infrastructure to satisfy these needs. These arrangements will include water allocation arrangements.
An important element of Stage 1 is to prepare a more comprehensive discussion paper to better define and communicate the need for Stages 2 and 3 of the Strategy. The discussion paper will scope and cost the work in Stages 2 and 3 and propose funding arrangements.
Specific Elements of Stage 1
Accordingly, the following specific scope of Stage 1 is proposed:
- For each Council, identify short to medium term urban and related needs
(say now to 15 years)
- Existing supply capacity (noting method of determination, when last assessed, risks to supply, options in event of source failure)
- Demands based on existing levels of service
- Gaps in capacity to deliver service from now to 15 years
- Address critical short term urban and related planning requirements (ie only those issues which cannot wait until finalisation of the medium to long term aspects of the RWSS)
- Develop a communication and education plan about the medium and long-term aspects of the RWSS
- Assess rural water demands and location over the short to medium terms
- Based on Steps 1 to 4, reassess the scope of the subsequent steps and incorporate into a proposed project plan.
updated April 6, 2004