News from both the federal and state level today reveals hows badly Governments are failing to sensibly address Sydney’s water needs, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.
“Firstly, I am extremely disappointed that the Federal Government has announced that it will not require a full environmental assessment of the Kurnell desalination plant,” Mr Cohen said.
“The plant is a massive $2 billion project with huge environmental ramifications. That neither the NSW or Federal Government will do an environmental assessment of the project is shocking.
“Secondly, today’s NSW Auditor General’s Report reveals that Sydney Water is failing on recycling. Despite much trumpeting from the state Government over the last year about its commitment to recycling, there has been a massive drop in the amount of water being recycled.
“In the year to 30 June 2005 only 2.8% of Sydney’s water was recycled when in 2004 the figure was 3.2%. Given the recent attention on Sydney’s water needs there should have been a massive increase in water recycling. Instead there has a been a drop by millions of litres a day.
“Sydney has huge amount of water. However, last century approaches by Governments are holding the city back from adopting the demand management, recycling, reuse, and storm water harvesting approaches that could make sure future generations of Sydney-siders have a secure, healthy and affordable supply of water,” Mr Cohen said.
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