MARY RIVER 'WATER OF LIFE' 2.0 WATER SECURITY AND RESILIENCE FORUM
was delayed by the Minister so more research could be done on environmental flows. Now due in September 2021 we are COMMUNITY WATER FORUM – IS OUR WATER SUPPLY SAFE? concerned that there has been no community involvement and n a cool evening on Thursday 13 August 2020, a group of local options in the Seqwater water security program 2016-2046 Water landholders and town residents assembled to share their for Life ver 2 being considered to take more water from the Mary vision for a new Gympie in relation to water supply and security. River in the Gympie Region. ‘Water security and resilience in Gympie and Queensland’ was With historical data showing higher risk of hotter conditions and convened by Greens candidate, Lauren Graingerless stream flows taking more water from the river Brown, who was delighted with the turn-out of would place our endangered species at higher risk Sunshine Coast interested stakeholders. The meeting was also of being lost. Not only that there is the whole river broadcast to a virtual audience. nonetheless draws almost function to provide fresh water to the sea to protect Community interest in the issue was obvious, with the internationally recognised Ramsar wetlands, the all its water from the the maximum numbers permitted to be together Great Sandy Straits. Mary system, either from in the room at the Australian Institute for Country With version 3 of the Seqwater Water for Life due Baroon Pocket Dam (on Music reached. This gracious older building has in 2022 it is important that the Mary Catchment had a varied history and was the ideal venue for community has an input into both these planning Obi Obi Creek, a major interested community members to hear from four instruments so money is spent on the best options for tributary of the Mary), expert speakers and pose their questions. water security and resilience. from Lake Macdonald Peter Waterman, applied geographer and “Over the next two years is our window of opportunity environmental planner, shared his experience on Six Mile Creek, or and we must insist on a robust consultation process,” she with remote and rural communities. He stressed directly from the Mary at told the audience. the point that large dams do not provide water The fourth speaker, Ian Mackay, is a dedicated river Goomong. security and advocated small decentralised spokesman and is currently chairman of the Mary reservoirs or cisterns which are more resilient River Catchment Coordinating Committee (MRCCC). Ian Mackay during climate change and supply chain disruption. He chronicled the more efficient use of water as This was a lesson learned a decade ago by Mary evidenced by the reduced water consumption figures, river supporters when the Traveston Crossing Dam proposal was from 530 litres per person per day back in 1994, to a current level vigorously opposed by local organisations and individuals. of just 172 litres per person per day, as he called it, “making our Susie Chapman outlined campaigns by grassroots groups over a water go further”. number of years to prevent various unsustainable plans for water He also pointed out that, although the Traveston Crossing Dam storage. Quoting the work of Jennifer Simpson, she advocated did not proceed, the Sunshine Coast nonetheless draws almost “fit for use” solutions, as not all water needs to be drinking water all its water from the Mary system, either from Baroon Pocket quality. For car washing, crop irrigation and such purposes lesser Dam (on Obi Obi Creek, a major tributary of the Mary), from standard of treatment is sufficient. She also reassured listeners Lake Macdonald on Six Mile Creek, or directly from the Mary at in response to a question from the floor, that current treatment Goomong. systems can effectively remove medication residues, hormones All speakers commented positively that individual water use by and P-FAS (fire retardant) contamination from drinking water. Queenslanders has been reduced by public education campaigns, Glenda Pickersgill, for the Save the Mary River Coordining Group water metering, water efficient appliances like dual flush toilets has lived in the Mary Valley since childhood and has extensive and remains currently only at about one third of the average daily knowledge of the river and its wildlife. usage before the “millennium” drought. Glenda spoke about the Mary Basin Water Resource Plan last Ian concluded by stressing that there is a suite of viable solutions revised in 2006 and its flaws when it was used to justify the to future water security, all of which play a role, and that putting Traveston Crossing Dam proposal. The plan revision due in 2016 all your eggs in the one basket of “more dams” is not the wisest option for consistent, reliable, resilient water security. • Overall the expert speakers painted a clear picture of actions residents can take in the region to secure the safety and security of its water, including insisting on having a say in the consultation process and advocating for decentralised water catchments, treated re-use for purpose and landscape rehydration strategies. All are needed in combination to reduce pressure on our beautiful Mary River and its tributaries. Click on the link to watch Ian Mackay’s presentation at the forum https://mrccc.org.au/water-security-forum/
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10 | 13 OCTOBER 2021
* MVV Editor's quick question – Where will all the water come from? Take a look down Roy's Road off the M1 on the way to Brisbane. Work in progress. “Caloundra South Priority Development Area (PDA) is planned to be home for approx. 50,000 residents over the next 25 years, with 20,000 new homes, major parklands, sports parks, educational facilities and 700 hectares of linked conservation land.” Source https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/ Council/Planning-and-Projects/Major-Regional-Projects/Caloundra-SouthUrban-Development-Area/Network-Plans
IMPORTANT NOTICE: CLOSED SEASON FOR FISHING in the Mary River and tributaries in Aug- Sept and October. Mary River Cod are breeding and they are illegal to capture at any time.
The Mary Valley Voice
