Seq Water Strategy Reveals Population Growth Is Unsustainable

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11th February 2010, 04:52pm - Views: 671





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Media Release

Thursday, February 11, 2010



South East Queensland Water Strategy reveals SEQ population

growth is unsustainable


High energy consuming desalination plants underpinning future water security for

South East Queensland shows that the region’s population growth is

unsustainable, say environmentalists.


“Detailed planning for desalination facilities at Lytton and Marcoola will

commence in 2010, however, a desalination plant at Lytton shows a total

disregard for the Moreton Bay Marine Park and its internationally listed values,”

said Mr Simon Baltais, Vice President of the South East Queensland Branch of

Sustainable Population Australia.  



2009/SEQWS%20executive%20summary.pdf


“Clearly, a vision based on ecological sustainability is lacking in the SEQ Water

Strategy,” said Baltais.  “Desalination plants consume huge amounts of energy 

and to site them on the doorstep of the Moreton Bay Marine Park, recognized

world wide for its unique and significant values, shows the water strategy is all

about supporting growth at any cost regardless of the impact.”


Mr Baltais said, “While the SEQ Water Strategy recognizes the impact of growth

on SEQ’s ability to meet water demands, in the absence of challenging this

growth it suggests water needs can be met. Nothing could be further from the

truth.


“The fact is that by 2050, despite the desalination plants and upgrades to dams,

there is not going to be enough water for SEQ, particularly if we are to survive

through severe sustained droughts accompanied by continued population

growth.”


Mr Baltais said, “The SEQ Water Strategy will ensure we will receive less water

and pay more for it just for the pleasure of accommodating more people so as to

satisfy the State Government’s belief that we can crowd more people into SEQ.”


“What the South East Queensland Water Strategy quite clearly reveals is SEQ’s

population growth is unsustainable” said Mr Baltais.


Simon Baltais

Sustainable Population Australia – SEQ Branch

Mb: 0447 539 968






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