August 18, 2020
Toowoomba Regional Council will work with neighbouring councils to form a Water Alliance in an effort to ensure future water security for the Darling Downs.
At the Council’s August meeting on Wednesday, Councillors voted in favour of seeking expressions of interest from neighbouring councils about forming the group.
Mayor Paul Antonio said he anticipated the Water Alliance would include the Southern Downs and Western Downs regional councils and Tenterfield Shire Council as well as the TRC.
However, he was open to other councils joining as well.
“We currently have an informal partnership with Southern Downs, Western Downs and Tenterfield councils which was initiated to discuss long-term water security options that would benefit the areas the group collectively represents,” the Mayor said.
“While the partnership has allowed us to discuss water security in general, it’s important we formalise this pre-existing relationship to ensure that we’re able to effectively advocate to other levels of government.”
Mayor Antonio said water security was the highest priority for Toowoomba.
“A formal Water Alliance would allow us to advocate for a collective vision on water-security not only for residential water use, but for agriculture, commercial, industry and all water use.
“While residents connected to the Toowoomba Water Bulk Supply have added water security through the pipeline that connects us to Wivenhoe, the reality is that this isn’t the long-term solution for our entire region.”
Mayor Antonio said there were a number of towns in neighbouring regions suffering water shortages and Toowoomba’s concerns were not unique.
“There are a number of councils in the same boat and having a cross-collaboration approach to water security by a group of councils, rather than an individual council, will no doubt hold much more weight with the State and Federal governments.
“We have far more power when we work collectively rather than alone.”
