The Sunshine Coast Council is calling on the State Government to consult with the community on the region’s future water needs.
The Premier announced yesterday that up to $8-billion dollars will be spent on a desalination plant, with Kawana the likely location.
It is part of a government strategy to guarantee south-east Queensland’s water security.
It is proposed the desalination plant be operating by 2035.
Around 200,000 extra people are expected to be living on the Sunshine Coast in the next 20 years.
The Mayor Mark Jamieson said the government hasn’t consulted with Council.
“It would have only taken a phone call for the Premier to let me know that this was what she was thinking,” Councillor Jamieson said.
He called the Water Minister, Glenn Butcher, yesterday for clarification but is still waiting for a reply.
“Our Council and our community expect better and this suggests the Premier is disinterested in the views of the Sunshine Coast community,” he said.
The Sunshine Coast community has previously rejected a proposal for a desalination plant on land near the airport at Marcooola.
“The community needs to be consulted before any decision is made,” Councillor Jamieson said.
“Water security is an enduring and significant issue for a growing region like the Sunshine Coast and a viable and sustainable solution is needed.
“Desalination is not the only option and if the Premier was serious about addressing longer term water security she would be engaging with council and communities on all potential options,” he said.
The Mayor said water recycling is also an option that should be considered by the government.
Councillor Jamieson said the way it has been handled by “making a grandiose announcement on something that won’t be delivered for another 12 years and simply to make it look like her government is on top of the issue” is not the right way to go about it.
He believes the Ring Tank site at Meridan Plains is the likely option being considered by the government.
