4 February 2021
The water lifeline from the Queensland Government has been extended, with the announcement this week by the Regional Development and Water Minister, Glenn Butcher that funding for water carting from Connolly Dam to Stanthorpe will continue until June 2021.
While the initial agreement provided for $800,000 per month to cart water until February 2021, the total allocated funding pool has not been exhausted, which allowed Southern Downs Regional Council to negotiate the extended carting date.
Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi said that the funding was gratefully received and he had been optimistic throughout discussions that that the Queensland Government would continue its commitment to Stanthorpe’s water supply.
“The ongoing support our region has received from the Queensland Government is humbling,” Mayor Pennisi said.
“The Premier promised that Stanthorpe would not be left high and dry and she has been unwavering in her support of our community throughout the ongoing drought.
“The people of Stanthorpe have seen no difference to water flowing through their taps and we have the Queensland Government to thank for that.”
Queensland’s Minister for Regional Development and Water, Glenn Butcher visited the region today to tour local water infrastructure and meet with irrigators, farmers, local businesses and Council.
Fulltime water carting commenced in January 2020, and based on the daily use of 1 to 1.3ML per day, up to 42 truckloads of water are carted from Connolly Dam into two x one mega litre tanks at Storm King Dam.
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.