Drought Management Plan Community Engagement
Council completed drafting its' Drought Management Plan (DMP) for all its nine water supply schemes (Warwick, Allora, Yangan, Stanthorpe, Killarney, Wallangarra, Dalveen, Leyburn, and Pratten) in late 2020.
This DMP outlines when it is time to start preparing for drought conditions as well as the planning, monitoring, operational and engagement activities required for each four different levels of water restrictions (i.e., low, medium, high, and critical) to ensure that have the desired effect when introduced. For this, refer to the SDRC’s drought response plan (refer Figure below).
In other words, this DMP provides a roadmap of planned, pre-agreed, and stepped actions at clear trigger points to respond to water security risks.
Council is undertaking the second round (June - July 2022) of community consultation/engagement for final endorsement of its' DMP. It is understood that this engagement work will allow SDRC to gain an understanding of the communities' perception, understanding and feedback to the DMP, which in turn will facilitate in the DMP's endorsement and implementation pathway.
Community engagement will be undertaken in multiple formats, including an online survey and in person in various locations. This engagement process will enable explanation of the DMP and provide informed community input and extension to survey responses.
In addition, Seqwater is delivering the approximate 109 kilometre Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline (the pipeline) on behalf of the Queensland Government. The pipeline investment will boost water security in the Toowoomba and Southern Downs regions. Seqwater will construct, own, maintain and operate the pipeline which is expected to be ready in early 2027, weather and construction conditions permitting.