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
NEWS 
