The Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers (DLGWV) is urging communities and stakeholders in the Burdekin region to review the newly released draft Burdekin Regional Water Assessment (RWA) Summary Report and provide feedback on the options presented.
Led by DLGWV, the RWA process draws together all previous work done to explore water security in the region as well as meetings with a range of stakeholders.
The draft Burdekin RWA Summary Report presents findings and recommendations for community feedback, including options to modernise bulk water infrastructure in the Lower Burdekin, further explore the case for a new Upper Burdekin off-stream storage facility, and investigate capacity upgrades for the Burdekin Haughton Water Supply Scheme.
DLGWV Executive Director Trevor Dann said this consultation was an opportunity for the community to help shape the Burdekin RWA’s outcomes.
“After months of detailed analysis and consultation, the RWA process has reached an important milestone with the release of the draft document for wider public consultation,” Mr Dann said.
“This is the community’s chance to tell our project team what looks right, or what might need adjusting.
“The Burdekin RWA process has involved extensive consultation, with representatives from local governments, industry and peak bodies, as well as Sunwater, Traditional Owners and native title holder representatives.”
The Burdekin RWA area spans from the southern parts of the Tablelands Regional Council to eastern parts of the Barcaldine Regional Council, incorporating the Burdekin and Whitsunday local government areas and large parts of the Charters Towers, Townsville, and Isaac local government areas.
Feedback from the public consultation process will be used to help finalise the Burdekin RWA, which will then be used to inform the delivery of the Queensland Government’s water agenda.
“The draft Burdekin RWA Summary Report identifies a range of opportunities to support future economic growth across the region,” Mr Dann said
“These include new bulk water infrastructure, and improvements to existing water infrastructure and operations – and next steps now require feedback from the communities in the region.”
Public consultation will involve community drop-in sessions at Townsville, Charters Towers, Bowen and Ayr, as well as online forums for those unable to attend these locations.
Read the draft Burdekin RWA Summary Report, find out more about the public consultation sessions and submit feedback via: www.burdekinregionalwaterassessment.com.au
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MEDIA: media@dlgwv.qld.gov.au
Mobile: 0457 228 028
See previous Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers media releases here.