Queensland, Aust. Water situation?

Question

Can anyone succinctly provide a timeline of the water situation in Queensland, Australia? About the draught? I just need to know dates. When it was declared as draught, when Water Act 2000 came in (like.. I know it's 2000 but there was something else before then wasn't there?). Thank you!

Answer 1

South-East Queensland remains in the "most dire water situation" of any major metropolitan area in Australia, despite days of rain and steadily rising dam levels.

The Queensland Water Commission has again ruled out easing water restrictions, saying it would be premature to act when combined water storages are still just 26 per cent.

"Our largest dam, Wivenhoe, is still only 17 per cent (full)," a QWC spokesperson said.

"Bear in mind, Wivenhoe Dam holds three times as much water as Somerset Dam and around seven times as much as the Hinze and Little Nerang Dams combined."

Dam levels are at their healthiest since this time last year.

Combined storages across the three major dams have risen 6.6 per cent since New Year's Eve, which adds about six months' extra supply.

However, the QWC spokesperson said it would wait until the wet season was over before reassessing restrictions and look at more than dam levels.

"Despite the recent rain, South-East Queensland remains in the most dire water situation of any major metropolitan area in Australia," he said.

Other factors that would come into play included:

* Business compliance with water efficiency measures;

* Residential performance against Target 140;

* Weather forecasts; and

* Water infrastructure project progress

"Like the rest of the community, we're concerned to minimise the impact of the restrictions, however we must also ensure the security of our water supply before making any changes," the spokesperson said.

"Having had so much rain, there's really no need for anyone to be outside watering, so the focus is on keeping up all the little habits to save water inside the house, like having a four minute shower."

Answer 2

You'd do well to post this question in the "Travel>Australia>Brisbane" section.  (Sorry I don't have this info.)