QLD: Councils drowning in water refrom bills

AAP General News (Australia)
04-16-2000
QLD: Councils drowning in water refrom bills

BRISBANE, April 16 AAP - Local councils were "drowning" in water reforms and needed
more time for consultations, the Local Government Association of Queensland said today.

Acting president Peter Taylor said the state government must allow more time for drafting
the Water Allocation and Management Bill now under discussion.

"At the moment we are drowning in water reform bills and have just come to grips with
the Water and Sewerage Bill and the Water Statutory Authorities Bill," Councillor Taylor
said.

He agreed the state government was under pressure from the National Competition Council
to have the bills passed by the end of June.

"But the consultation process only began last Christmas, effectively slap-bang in the
lead-up to the council elections last month," he said.

The Water Allocation and Management Bill will set the limits for water drawn from rivers,
streams and storage facilities, as well as management guidelines.

Cr Taylor said that following the recent elections Queensland had 41 new mayors and
hundreds of new councillors.

"They need to be brought up to speed and we need at least another month to six weeks
for everyone to be consulted and have their input," he said.

AAP geb/lw

KEYWORD: WATER COUNCILS

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