Declaration Of Water Emergency Likely Today In SE Queensland

[hatrack]

QUEENSLAND is likely to declare a state of emergency today over the water crisis in the state's southeast corner, as the row intensifies between Premier Peter Beattie and local councils over a strategy to tackle the worsening drought.

Mr Beattie yesterday indicated he would seek the declaration from cabinet in an effort to override a political stoush with the region's 18 local councils about his Government's water grid proposal. The move -- labelled by mayors as a political stunt to hide a decade of Beattie government inaction over water infrastructure -- comes as new figures show the drought in Queensland and the Murray Darling Basin is the worst on record.

In Queensland, the figures confirm the drought is worse than the Federation drought of 1898-1903, with Brisbane's dam levels now down to 28 per cent. River Murray Water spokesman Trevor Jacobs said records for minimum inflows were being set almost daily, and said water allocations were likely to be reduced further. "We are experiencing inflows that are lower than we have experienced previously over 115 years of records," Mr Jacobs said.

Mr Beattie said the special "state of emergency" powers might be needed to ensure the local councils meet the infrastructure deadlines that are part of the Government's water-grid proposals. "It is likely -- and I'll have to discuss this tomorrow (Monday) -- it's likely we may even have to declare a state of emergency," the Premier said.

EDIT

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20040751-2702,00.html

[Reckon]

1. Aussies say global warming is a hoax... lol...

That tells you who is in control there! NeoCons!

[Odin2005]

2. No, just Big Coal.