The Southern Queensland Inland and NSW Border Regional Water Alliance (SQINB-RWA) has updated Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Barnaby Joyce, on the group’s plans for the area’s long-term water security.
The online meeting with Mr Joyce was arranged following the Alliance’s discussion with the Queensland Minister for Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water, Glenn Butcher, at Toowoomba City Hall in late September.
Alliance chair and Toowoomba Region Mayor, Paul Antonio said the attendees appreciated the chance to tell Mr Joyce about their commitment to find regional water solutions that would support future growth.
Mayor Antonio said the Alliance would continue to engage with respective state governments and the Commonwealth government to advance plans for delivering future water supplies.
“The Mayors are mindful of the need to consider not only our urban water needs, but the future water sources that will underpin our productive agricultural areas and future business and industry expansion,” he said.
“Cooperation between the three levels of government will be a key feature of finding solutions and identifying new water sources.
“The Alliance welcomes Mr Joyce’s advice around the best ways to present our options and how to proceed with a broad vision.”
Mayor Antonio said South Burnett Regional Council and Banana Shire Council also had indicated their willingness to be included in ongoing discussions about future water security.
The meeting included Mayor Peter Petty (Tenterfield Shire Council in New South Wales), Mayor Vic Pennisi (Southern Downs Regional Council), Mayor Lawrence Springborg (Goondiwindi Regional Council) and Western Downs Regional Council Deputy Mayor Cr Andrew Smith, who was deputising for Mayor Paul McVeigh.
