Mr HAMPTON - 2006-10-18
What measures are being taken to encourage the Alice Springs community to conserve water?
ANSWER
Mr Acting Speaker, I thank the member for Stuart for his question. Coming from the Centre and living in Alice Springs, that community, in conjunction with my department of Natural Resource’s Management Division and Power and Water, is developing sustainable strategies for water conservation. The Alice Springs Urban Water Reference Group meet periodically to discuss water issues and recommend priorities for sustainable urban water management for Alice Springs. The reference group includes Alice Springs Town Council, the Arid Lands Environment Centre, native titleholders, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Desert Knowledge Australia, my agency and other Territory government agencies.
The Alice Springs Water Efficiency Study recommended a number of measures designed to yield water safety of approximately of 9.3% of annual use. Recently, in Alice Springs, I launched the water rebate scheme for both Alice Springs and Tennant Creek. The scheme provides a $50 rebate for residents. The reference group has also developed and devised school-based Waterwise packages, which incorporates small grants to assist those schools in both Alice Springs and Tennant Creek to work with our children about saving water.
A survey of community attitudes towards water conservation in Alice Springs has been undertaken to provide guidance for the development of a water efficiency program and to inform government of community expectations regarding water conservation measures. I know the member for Braitling is supportive of and participates in this program. To ensure the sustainability of Alice Springs water supply and to meet our commitments for the National Water Initiative, water resource strategies for Alice Springs are currently being prepared.
It is comforting to note that the draft strategy concludes that Alice Springs has sufficient ground water resource reserves for many years to come as long as this most precious resource is used carefully.
ANSWER
Mr Acting Speaker, I thank the member for Stuart for his question. Coming from the Centre and living in Alice Springs, that community, in conjunction with my department of Natural Resource’s Management Division and Power and Water, is developing sustainable strategies for water conservation. The Alice Springs Urban Water Reference Group meet periodically to discuss water issues and recommend priorities for sustainable urban water management for Alice Springs. The reference group includes Alice Springs Town Council, the Arid Lands Environment Centre, native titleholders, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Desert Knowledge Australia, my agency and other Territory government agencies.
The Alice Springs Water Efficiency Study recommended a number of measures designed to yield water safety of approximately of 9.3% of annual use. Recently, in Alice Springs, I launched the water rebate scheme for both Alice Springs and Tennant Creek. The scheme provides a $50 rebate for residents. The reference group has also developed and devised school-based Waterwise packages, which incorporates small grants to assist those schools in both Alice Springs and Tennant Creek to work with our children about saving water.
A survey of community attitudes towards water conservation in Alice Springs has been undertaken to provide guidance for the development of a water efficiency program and to inform government of community expectations regarding water conservation measures. I know the member for Braitling is supportive of and participates in this program. To ensure the sustainability of Alice Springs water supply and to meet our commitments for the National Water Initiative, water resource strategies for Alice Springs are currently being prepared.
It is comforting to note that the draft strategy concludes that Alice Springs has sufficient ground water resource reserves for many years to come as long as this most precious resource is used carefully.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016