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Brisbane Water Restrictions |
Southeast
Queensland
is currently experiencing the worst drought in more than 100 years with five
consecutive years of below average rainfall and water supply levels in our
three main storage dams falling to record low levels.
UPDATE 10.4.07: Level 5 water restrictions restrictions apply in South East Queensland from 10 April 2007.
The
restrictions apply in Beaudesert Shire, Brisbane City, Caboolture Shire, Shire of Esk,
Gatton Shire, Gold Coast City, Ipswich City, Kilcoy Shire, Laidley Shire, Logan City, Pine Rivers Shire and Redcliffe City.
As part of the new level 5 water restrictions that apply to Brisbane, people using excessive amounts of
water will be forced to explain why. Otherwise, they may receive heavy fines or
having their supply cut off.
The level 5 restrictions will allow people and businesses to water their
gardens with buckets three times a week in the evenings. Under the new water
restrictions, households using more than 800 litres of town water a day - about
one in 10 of all households across the region - will have to fill out forms
detailing their water use.
Water authorities and councils are discussing a range of fines beginning at
$5000 for a first breach. People who do fill out the forms will receive advice
from the commission about how to cut their water use. If they do not reduce
their water consumption by the end of August they will face the possible fines.
The plan includes:
-
achieving
"Target 140" - a new campaign to achieve a regional average water use
of 140 litres per person per day
-
targeting
inefficient, high volume residential water users and stopping wasteful water
practices
-
fitting
water saving appliances and improving regulation to ensure SEQ's buildings are
water efficient
-
ensuring
compliance with water restrictions
Watering
Your Garden
Only water
existing gardens with buckets or watering cans on three allocated days between 4pm-7pm. You can use tank or grey water at
anytime.
Washing
your Car
Only use a
bucket to spot clean mirrors, lights, glass, number plates and potentially
damaging marks. Otherwise, head to a carwash.
Swimming Pools
From 1
July, only top up existing swimming pools from town water as a last resort and
only where a rainwater tank or downpipe rainwater diverter is fitted along with
three of the following: a swimming pool cover, water efficient taps and
showerheads, water efficient toilets, water efficient washing machine (minimum
4 star)
New or Renovated Swimming PoolsNew or
renovated pools may only be filled with water sourced from areas not under
Level 5 restrictions (ie brought in by truck).
UPDATE 9.3.07It is expected that Level 5 water restrictions will be announced
for south-east Queensland today (9 March 2007). It is believed that under Level 4
restrictions, households use twice as much water as business, industry and
government combined. Interestingly, water usage for showers and baths used more
water than toilets and laundries.
Hence Level 5 restrictions are
likely to be aimed predominantly at householders. It is likely that
restrictions by the Queensland Water Commission will strongly affect gardeners,
the elderly and disabled, business owners and pool owners.
Based on current data, it was unlikely dams would be at more than 5 per cent
capacity in two years - even if current restrictions were met.
Regional
Drought Strategy
To ensure
the region's water supply will be responsibly managed through a number of water
efficiency and supply initiatives, Brisbane City Council, SEQWater, the QLD
government, and 12 regional councils have developed the Regional Drought
Strategy.
The
contingency plan in place for the region's water supply looks at various
options including extracting ground water from aquifiers, use of recycled
water, provision of recycled water for industry and power stations,
recommissioning dams, and desalination.
Due to lack
of sufficient rainfall in the catchment area, level two water restrictions have
been in place in Brisbane since October 2005. This means a
total sprinkler ban. As the dam levels continue to drop, higher levels of
restrictions will be implemented. Level three water restrictions will be
triggered if the dam levels reach 30%. This will mean a total ban on outdoor
hosing and sprinkling.
UPDATE 2.11.06As
of 1 November 2006, Level 4 water restrictions have been in place in Brisbane. All outdoor sprinkling and hosing
is banned. For existing lawns and gardens, watering is only permitted using a
hand held watering can or bucket filled directly from a tap between restricted
hours and on certain days only.
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Brisbane Shopping
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Here you will find a directory listing of Action supermarkets in Brisbane.
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Fun Stuff
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When looking to dine out in Brisbane, it is helpful to understand the different
precincts for
restaurants in Brisbane.
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