Media: Greens Water Policy

Greens release 2007 election urban water policy: working with the community
in a dry climate

Greens candidate Joel MacRae standing for Londonderry says that the Greens water strategy is a far better alternative than the expensive, energy guzzling de-salination plant.

"The major parties have failed to read the community mood. There has been a welcome shift in support for water recycling, but we must not lose sight of the enormous capacity of the public to save water and use it more efficiently," Joel MacRae said.

"The major parties are scared that NSW residents will punish them at the ballot box if they don't promise big ticket engineering solutions, like desalination.

"The Greens plan for NSW centres on rainwater tanks, local grey water treatment, stormwater harvesting, wastewater recycling, improved efficiency and stronger restrictions.

"By abandoning plans to pre-emptively construct a desalination plant, the Greens' strategy potentially saves $1.9 billion, at least half of which can be invested in these measures.

"Times have changed, and the government needs to work on a permanent shift in how we manage water.

"Our policy will see NSW through this and subsequent water crises and avoid the need to spend money on expensive white elephants like desalination and aquifer pumping," Joel MacRae said.

"The Coalition’s plan to boost Sydney's water supply with recycled sewerage is definitely an improvement on a desalination plant.

"However, the solution to future water crises lies with a combination of water restrictions, water tanks, on site grey water treatment and reuse, and demand management.

“Opposition leader Peter Debnam's drought plan for Sydney has failed to adopt the most environmentally friendly and least expensive option to deal with the current water crisis.

"The Iemma government and the opposition have completely underestimated the enormous water savings potential locked up in the community's willingness to change habits and use less water.” Joel MacRae said.