Keeping long-term water security at the top of the agenda for Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has been reaffirmed today (18 August) at the Ordinary Meeting of Council.
During the meeting, Councillors voted in favour of seeking interest from neighbouring Councils, to form a Water Alliance.
Mayor Paul Antonio said Council would work to form a Water Alliance to include, but is not limited to, Southern Downs Regional Council, Western Downs Regional Council, Tenterfield Shire Council and Toowoomba Regional Council.
“We currently have an informal partnership with the Southern Downs, Western Downs and Tenterfield Councils which was first initiated to discuss long-term water security options that would benefit the areas which the group collectively represents,” he said.
“While the partnership has allowed us to discuss water security in general, to ensure that we’re able to effectively advocate to other levels of government, it’s important we formalise this pre-existing relationship.
“There is no doubt long-term water security is the highest priority for us right now.
“A formal ‘Water Alliance’ would allow us to advocate for a collective vision on water-security for not only residential water use, but for agriculture, commercial, industry and all water use.
“While residents connected to the Toowoomba Water Bulk Supply have added water security through the pipeline that connects us to Wivenhoe, the reality is that this isn’t the long-term solution for our entire Region.
“We have a number of towns doing it extremely tough and our Council isn’t alone in this position.
“There are a number of Councils in the same boat and having a cross-collaboration approach to water security by a group of Councils, rather than an individual Council, will no doubt hold much more weight with the State and Federal Governments.
“We have far more power when we work collectively rather than alone.”
