05/05/2005 - NSW's Auditor
General has warned Sydney could be heading
for a water supply crisis if the Carr Government
continues to turn its back on alternative
water sources. This backs up calls by Parliamentary
Secretary Mr Greg Hunt MP and Member for Wentworth
Mr Malcolm Turnbull MP for Carr to free up
billions of litres of usable water by investing
in waste-water recycling.
The Auditor General's report warned that the
smallest variation to Sydney Water's forecasts
on population growth and rainfall levels could
see the dam levels sliding dangerously, with
no solution in sight.
"This is just further proof that action
and leadership are needed now to protect Sydney's
water supply for tomorrow," said Mr Hunt.
"Recycling of waste water is the answer
Sydney needs to protect and conserve its fresh
water supplies into the future.
"The Carr Government is currently letting
Sydney Water spew billions of tonnes of raw
and partially treated sewage into the sea
just off Sydney's beaches.
"Not only is this endangering the health
of the people who swim, fish and live along
the coastline, it is also wasting billions
of litres of water that could be safely treated
for use by industry and agriculture.
'This is water that the people of Sydney
desperately need. Instead of spewing it out
off the coastline, Carr should be recycling
it. This report confirms our grave concerns
about the foresight of the Carr Government.
"This government's short term failure
to protect its citizens is totally unacceptable,
but its unwillingness to face its mistakes
and set up a long term solution is utterly
incomprehensible.
"The people of Sydney deserve better.
The Carr Government must invest in treatment
plants to recycle this sewage, to bring down
the toxic burden on our beaches and safeguard
Sydney's water supply.
"I fear we will never see this happen
without foresight and investment by state
governments and private industry.
"By locking up access to Sydney's water
supply, Carr is guaranteeing that the solution
Sydney so desperately needs continues to be
blown out to sea.
