[Greens-Media] Qld Greens media release: SEQ dams worth $3, 600 for every home

[Qld Greens Media]

*Media Release*

*SEQ dams worth $3,600 for every home*

22nd August 2006

*EVERY Brisbane home could have guaranteed water for their gardens if 
the State Government scrapped its dam-building frenzy, Queensland Greens 
Brisbane Central candidate Larissa Waters said today.*

Ms Waters, an environmental lawyer, said none of the water from the 
proposed $2.2 billion Traveston Crossing (stage 1) and Wyaralong dams 
would be available before harsh new water restrictions came in.

“That $2.2 billion is equivalent to $3,600 per occupied home in 
Brisbane,’’ Ms Waters said.

“The Queensland Greens would instead spend that $3,600 per home on 
subsidies for all existing Brisbane households to install grey water 
treatment systems, to provide hundreds of thousands of home owners with 
a more reliable water supply – well before 2011 when the dams are due to 
be finished.

“The Queensland Greens would also legislate to make grey water systems 
and rainwater tanks /mandatory/ for all new urban developments 
(greenfield sites).

“None of the old parties are seriously backing household grey water 
systems. Measly rebates for water saving devices for a small proportion 
of homes, and no laws to require grey water systems in new developments, 
misses the opportunity to save precious water.

“Grey water is there right now, waiting to be re-used. It’s only been 
through the shower, washing machine or bathroom taps.

“At the moment it is just being wasted when it could easily be used 
outdoors for watering gardens and car washing, both of which could 
become illegal under level-four water restrictions – which could come in 
just three weeks after the polls if there is not significant rain.

“A lot of people would like to use grey water but are concerned about 
smells and health risks – the good news is there are now household grey 
water treatment systems on the market which purify the water and remove 
odours.”

The Queensland Greens are committed to stopping the Mary and Logan River 
dams and implementing alternative solutions to solve the water crisis 
such as reducing water waste, mandating grey water treatment systems and 
rainwater tanks on all new and renovated houses, and providing subsidies 
for grey water treatment systems, tanks and water saving appliances to 
be retrofitted to existing homes.


For further information contact:

*Larissa Waters, Candidate for Brisbane Central - 0421 844 280, *

*email: *_brisbane-central at qld.greens.org.au 
<mailto:brisbane-central at qld.greens.org.au>_

-- 
www.qld.greens.org.au

State election Spokesperson. Juanita Wheeler 0402 487 110

Queensland Greens media spokespeople.

Climate Change and Indigenous. Drew Hutton 0428 487 110
Human Rights and Environment. Juanita Wheeler 0402 487 110
Transport and Planning. Greg George 0424 725 719

Queensland Greens campaign coordinator.
Ian Gittus 0422 542 370

Office 3846 0862
fax 3844 4654

www.qld.greens.org.au