Rowan Barber is a Water Warrior colleague in Brisbane -
oh! - and don't forget sanitation, too.
Rowan has asked for the letter below to be widely circulated.
The Network is only to happy to oblige.
Rowan wants to encourage others to respond to him
with feedback and/or reinforce
the message with the Minister (as people see fit)
From: Rowan Barber <rowan@asbg.net.au>
Date: Fri, Dec 3, 2010 at 8:49 AM
Subject: Business Water Efficiency Programme
To: naturalresources@ministerial.
Cc: Premiers@ministerial.qld.gov.
Date: Fri, Dec 3, 2010 at 8:49 AM
Subject: Business Water Efficiency Programme
To: naturalresources@ministerial.
Cc: Premiers@ministerial.qld.gov.
Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
cc: The Premier, the Hon. Kate Jones, ASBG,
Dear Mr Robertson,
Further to your Ministerial Statement below, I would like to put a case forward for another round of the "Business Water Efficiency Programme" (BWEP) or facsimile.
In 2006 the Queensland Government allocated $55 million toward BWEP. It was an incentive program and although related to, it was distinct from the Queensland Water Commission (QWC)’s business water restrictions. The QWC imposed restrictions were mandatory. BWEP offered funding to certain businesses to support the implementation of water saving projects to meet QWC restrictions.
regards,
Rowan Barber
State Manager
Australian Sustainable Business Group
t: 07 3839 5335
m: 0428 227 266
Back in 2006 south east Queenslanders were using 300 Litres/person/day. Through education, incentives to be more efficient, rebates for tanks and other demand management methods, this daily use dropped to 129 L/p/day and still remains at 151 L/p/day as of 26th Nov 2010.
ReplyDeleteWe need to continue to improve our water efficiency and the "Business Water Efficiency Programme" (BWEP)is a great way to motivate Business to do better. This is far cheaper and less socially and environmentally destructive than continuing to build more water infrastructure.
Thank you for dropping by The Network, Glenda. South-east Queenslanders, in my view, have been an example to us all. I believe that Brisbane people did so much more than Melbourne people - although Melbourne people have been excellent on water harvesting and recycling in their homes. Under the last government (we have a brand new shiny one in Victoria), there were many ways they could have exploited the willingness of people to conserve, recycle and recuse and it wasn't done. Then there were poor infrastructure decisions which will now be reviewed. The current govt has a lot of good stuff in its Plan for Water - but sometimes govts don't do what they tell us they will do. I think it is through the interest and push of people that govts can be encouraged to do more - and, as you point out, there are far cheaper and less socially and environmentally destructive ways than continuing to build more water infrastructure.
ReplyDelete