Water fund good but Government needs to get tougher - 20 February 2006

Greens MLC Ian Cohen says today’s water recycling and conservation announcements are a good start that show the viability of recycling and reuse.

“The Water Saving Fund is a positive initiative and demonstrates there are much better options than an expensive polluting desalination plant at Kurnell,” Mr Cohen said.

“We now need to see the government committing to recycling and reuse on a large scale. The projects announced to today are useful but small scale. What is required is decisive follow up from the Premier.

“The Government should be urgently investigating proposals like the one uncovered by the Greens showing that the AGL disused pipes network could be used to move recycled water for industrial purposes.

“Most importantly the Government needs to be taking tough long term action to ensure that we all use less water – business and consumers alike.

“Strong, permanent water restrictions must became a fact of life for Sydney. Documents obtained by the Greens through the parliament show massive support for such ideas.

“Having a new minister in the water portfolio provides the Government with the ideal opportunity to start making some of these tough decisions,” Mr Cohen said.