Down to business for city's Water Taskforce
Date published: 4 April 2017
Members of Townsville’s intergovernmental Water Taskforce met for the first time today, officially kick starting investigations into solutions for the city’s water security.
Independent chairman, Townsville businessman Brad Webb, said the Taskforce was off to a positive start.
“My message to the members of the Taskforce is straight to the point - our community demands an outcome to the city’s water security issues,” Mr Webb said.
“The Taskforce has brought all three levels of government to the table – Federal, State and the Townsville City Council - to investigate the options and we are getting down to business.
“Our task is to have a draft report outlining the preferred options ready to present to both the Prime Minister and the Premier at the end of June.
“While the Taskforce is working to an extremely tight timeframe, the work must be thorough and must include engagement with community groups and residents.
“An important part of the process will be a series of community meetings later this month to enable people to ask questions and put forward their views.
“We will also be launching a dedicated webpage to provide the community with information on the work of the Taskforce.”
An expert advisory panel has been appointed to assist the Taskforce with its investigations of infrastructure options, as well as water demand strategies including water efficiency programs and water saving technologies.
Part of the Townsville City Deals agreement, the Townsville Water Taskforce was set up by the Australian and Queensland Governments in partnership with the Townsville City Council.
Townsville Water Taskforce
Independent chairman:
- Mr Brad Webb
Members:
- Mr Adam Sincock, Director, Urban Water and Competition Policy, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
- Mr Paul Simhauser, the Director-General of Queensland’s Department of Energy and Water Supply Department
- Ms Adele Young, CEO of the Townsville City Council
The taskforce will be supported by an expert advisory panel which includes Townsville community engagement specialist Lewis Ramsay.
