Waterproofing South Australia
Water is our most precious resource. As we are experiencing our worst drought on record we can not afford the ‘wait and see if it rains’ approach of the Rann Labor Government.
The State Liberals believe that South Australia should not have permanent water restrictions. We believe in investment in infrastructure and in securing new water supply for the future growth of the State.
A Liberal Government – led by Martin Hamilton-Smith – will:
- Establish a Premier’s Water Council
- Take immediate action to ensure that a 45 GL desalination plant is built to provide 22% of Adelaide’s water needs in a normal consumption year.
- Support the BHP desalination plant including enhancement to provide for mid north water needs.
- Oppose the Labor government’s proposed enlargement of Mt Bold Reservoir
- Develop and implement plans for wastewater recycling in the North, South and inner metropolitan Adelaide.
- Take legislative action to allow sewer mining for non- drinking purposes.
- Assist councils to develop strategies which will result in the recycling of at least 30 GL p.a. of stormwater by local government.
- Develop options for further stormwater recycling including using Adelaide Airport, the Adelaide Parklands and other open space for wetlands and aquifer storage systems.
- Review the current water pricing structure and establish an independent regulatory agency to set both price structures and water prices.
- Support the Federal Government’s $10 billion rescue package and new governance arrangements for the River Murray whilst ensuring environmental flows and adequate representation for South Australia.
- Continue to oppose the Rann Government’s Weir at Wellington and support redirecting the $110 million on long term infrastructure to sustain South Australia’s water.
- Work with the Federal Government to promote research and development into salinity and will actively pursue the establishment of a Biosaline Research Centre in South Australia as part of the Federal Government’s $10 billion water plan.
- Develop a management plan for Lake Bonney.
- Assess the impact of the planned closures of lagoons and backwaters along the river and will keep communities informed of rehabilitation initiatives.
- Investigate the need for an incentive based model for the retrofit of old buildings to a more environmentally acceptable standard.
- Introduce a voluntary performance based rating system for existing commercial office buildings similar to those already in place for green energy.
- Develop websites for businesses and homeowners to enable owners to rate their premises.
- Develop a star rating scheme for all new residential developments.
- Will enhance the current rebates provided for rainwater tanks and take advice on additional water saving initiatives and new technologies which may also be targeted under a rebate scheme
Download the report: Waterproofing South Australia - A Framework for Action - August 2007 (PDF 130 Kb)