Securing water supplies
Statewide Water Grid
The Queensland Government has allocated $496 million to help build a $1.3 Billion Statewide Water Grid. This Queensland-wide grid will complement the SEQ Water Grid, and improve water supplies in regional and rural Queensland. The Statewide Water Policy will enhance water security and supply through the provision of new infrastructure, examining new sources of supply and encouraging greater conservation and education across business, industry and the community. Significant investment is being made to support regional industry and urban communities.
The Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme
The Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme is the largest recycled water project in the Southern Hemisphere. The project will provide a reliable water source to South East Queensland industry, offsetting demand on the region’s bulk water supply. It will also bring substantial environmental benefits by minimising nutrient and wastewater discharge to waterways and Moreton Bay. Using recycled water for appropriate industrial and irrigation purposes will maximise the available supply of potable (drinkable) water.
Healthy Waterways
The Healthy Waterways project in South East Queensland is a joint initiative of local and State Government based on a partnership approach to planning, management and use of water in South East Queensland. Monitoring of river health across Queensland indicates that the percentage of sites considered to be in good condition has increased since 2001, with a corresponding decrease in the percentage of sites considered to be in poor condition.
Smart Energy initiatives
The Queensland Government is committed to embracing energy efficiency initiatives and technologies to assist in diversifying Queensland’s energy mix to meet future demand without environmental impact.
- New technologies are currently being developed to deliver Queensland’s energy needs in a more sustainable fashion. For example, at CS Energy’s Callide A coal-fired power station near Biloela, new technology is being developed where pulverised coal is burned using pure oxygen rather than air. Increasing the concentration of carbon dioxide in the waste gas makes it easier to capture and store greenhouse gases. As much as 90 per cent of the carbon dioxide can be eliminated using this technology compared to conventional coal-fired power stations.
- The establishment of the Queensland Future Growth Fund will help meet the challenges of climate change through a raft of innovative technology and infrastructure projects, including $300 million for clean coal technology.
- The Queensland Government’s 13% Gas Scheme, which commenced in January 2005, assisted the development of gas markets in Queensland. Under this scheme, electricity retailers are required to source at least 13 per cent of their electricity from gas–fired generation.
- The introduction of a $14.25 million Energy Efficiency Policy offers Queenslanders a greater choice of energy sources and more opportunities to reduce energy use, save money and help the environment. This includes a new $3.75m Gas Installation Rebate Scheme offering $500 rebates per customer, a $5 million expansion of the EnergyWise program and a further $5.25 million to the Government Energy Management Strategy.
- The Queensland Government has committed $5 million to support the five-year Ergon Energy led Townsville Solar City Trial. This trial will explore the application of solar power, smart meters, energy efficiency and other demand side measures in an urban grid-connected context. Townsville is the second Australian city to be declared a Solar City under the Commonwealth Government’s Solar Cities Trial project.
Last reviewed 19 June 2007
