A new water strategy has been announced by the Queensland Minister for Water, Glenn Butcher, during National Water Week.
Developed in consultation with the water industry, stakeholders and the community, the strategy harnesses the strong partnerships and collaborative approach the Queensland Government has with communities across Queensland, to meet challenges and create future opportunities when it comes to water security.
Responding to the need to balance the increasing economic, environmental, social and cultural demand for water, the strategy identifies four key delivery focus areas:
- Healthy waterways
- First Nations partnerships
- Water for regional economic prosperity
- Safe and secure water supply
Drawing on the best science, technology, water planning and traditional knowledge, the strategy sets out how the Queensland Government will continue to build on its $5.2 billion in water infrastructure investment and encourage smart water management across our state.
The $2.6 million Urban Water Risk Assessment, is another program of work being undertaken by the Queensland Government to help remote and regional communities identify and address water and sewerage service needs.
This program builds on the significant work undertaken to date on these important projects, particularly through round 6 of Building our Regions. Under the Queensland Government’s highly successful Building our Regions program $417 million has been provided to 69 local governments, towards 370 infrastructure projects, leveraging more than $609 million and supporting an estimated 3,180 jobs during construction.
“You can always count on the Palaszczuk Government to ensure every Queensland community has access to safe drinking water – and you can always count on the Queensland Government to do the planning necessary to meet future water security needs,” Mr Butcher said.
“We are in lock-step with our Councils when it comes to delivering infrastructure that Queensland communities need.
“The Queensland Water Strategy enables us to come together to look at the longer-term issues that we need to prepare for. The strategy is our blueprint for future water planning and builds on our track record of water infrastructure delivery.
“Whether it’s the $5.2 billion invested in water infrastructure since 2015 which has created 3,400 jobs, or the important planning work underway, Queensland communities can be confident the Queensland Government will continue to deliver water security and economic growth throughout the state and sustainably manage our precious water resources well into the future.”
