10 February 2021
Rural land holders are encouraged to apply for free potable water under the Australian Government’s Extension to the Drought Communities Programme after Southern Downs Regional Council resolved the motion at the Ordinary Meeting on 27 January2021 to amend the offering from October 2020 to include carting.
The initial Expression of Interest (EOI) was unexpectedly under subscribed for water only and Council has voted to extend the offer to include the delivery of water, capped at one delivery up to 17,000L per property.
Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi was concerned that recent rains gave some the impression that the drought was over and this is simply not the case.
“Our region has been thankful for recent rains that filled private rural tanks and dams but we are still in drought, and until we receive significant rainfall, dam levels remain low,” Mayor Pennisi said.
“Free water and now carting costs are included under this generous funding from the Australian Government.
“While we are all praying for this ongoing and history-breaking drought to break, we cannot anticipate what the future weather patterns will deliver.
“I encourage rural properties not connected to the reticulated water supply network to seriously consider applying for the free supply of water and carting.”
The new EOI form is online at https://www.sdrc.qld.gov.au/doing-business/grants-to-community-radf.
To be eligible, applicants must:
· Apply via an EOI
· Not be connected to reticulated water supply network
This project received grant funding from the Australian Government.
Extreme Level water restrictions of 120 litres per person per day currently apply to all treated town water supplies delivered to the household tap or supplied by a water carter across the Southern Downs.