[Greens-Media] Qld Greens Media Release: Greens leadership on water shines through in Chatsworth since by-election

[Qld Greens Media]

*Media Release: Greens leadership on water shines through in Chatsworth 
since by-election*

Greens candidate for Chatsworth again pushes the importance of a better 
housing sustainability code a year later, highlighting that Greens were 
leaders in pre-empting Queensland’s water crisis.

Ms Jenkins – who also ran in last year’s by-election – said that during 
the by-election the State Government had just released a new housing 
policy.

“At the time I commented that it did nothing to inspire the innovative 
design of new sustainable homes and failed to look at the benefits of 
harvesting rainwater.

“I highlighted that Environment Minister Desley Boyle had missed a great 
opportunity to solve any future water crisis by mandating rainwater 
tanks for new housing developments.

“Well now the crisis that The Greens anticipated is upon us and 
Queensland is no closer to finding appropriate solutions to adequate 
water supplies.

“As a result, the State Government announced two new dams which is not 
only uprooting homes and families but compromising the future of 
exceptionally important native flora and fauna.

“It’s essential we provide adequate water supplies to Queenslanders. 
What is not essential is building dams as a band-aid solution until an 
independent inquiry reports on the State’s urban needs.

“That’s why I am asking State Government to reconsider the development 
of dams and to embrace water recycling as a matter of urgency.

“The Greens were leaders in promoting strict water conservation and 
water solutions.

“The people of Chatsworth should vote 1 Greens and demand leadership in 
Queensland Parliament to ensure there’s someone advocating long-term 
social and environmental solutions.

“I’d really hate to see suburbs like Gumdale, Burbank and Chandler turn 
into big ugly residential pockets full of badly-designed homes.

Ms Jenkins said the Labor state government had a long history of 
non-action.

“Badly managed urban sprawl in the Chatsworth electorate is clearly a 
direct result of flawed state government practice.

“The South-East Queensland Regional Plan contains environmental black 
spots and highlight’s the State Government’s short sightedness.

Elissa Jenkins said Caltabiano, who was clearly in the pockets of the 
developers, was a loose canon and shouldn’t be trusted.

“Caltabiano and the Liberal party have an appalling track record of 
considering the environment and the community’s future wellbeing when 
making decisions.

“The Liberals are even more hopeless than Labor at looking to the future.

“I am asking the people of Chatsworth to demand no more dams and 
immediate water recycling – and to demand that from both Bombolas and 
Caltabiano.

“The way to do that is for Chatsworth electors vote one Greens to ensure 
they elect someone who is going to provide their own community and all 
communities throughout Queensland a healthy, safe environment in which 
to live, work and play,” she said.

For election and policy details visit _www.qld.greens.org.au. 
<http://www.qld.greens.org.au/>_

To view Elissa's political web log visit www.elissa.info. 
<http://www.elissa.info/>

For more information, interview or photo opportunities call Elissa 
Jenkins on

0418 786 986 or e-mail chatsworth 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