Between 30-40 trucks of water headed to Stanthorpe a day

The Palaszczuk Government has announced it will spend about $800,000 a month to truck much-needed water to a drought-stricken Queensland region after its council imposed some of the toughest restrictions ever imposed.

BETWEEN 30 and 40 trucks will cart water to Stanthorpe every day under a plan to help the drought-savaged community.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk visited the town this afternoon, announcing the State Government would provide $800,000 a month for the trucks.

A further $2.4 million will be spent on two 1 megalitre tanks to be housed at Storm King Dam - which currently only has enough drinking water for four months.

Clancy and Elsie Willett at Storm King Dam, which is getting lower every day.

“Unfortunately there is no rain at present and there is no rain on the horizon,” the Premier said.

“I don’t want this community to be under any more stress.

“That will be provided until it rains but we’ve made provisions until 2021 which will get the community through this difficult period.

“This community has been through a lot, I don’t think they should have to be worrying about where their drinking water is going to come from.”

The water will be trucked from Connolly Dam near Warwick.

Southern Downs Mayor Tracy Dobie.

Mayor Tracy Dobie said pipelines were currently being laid between Storm King Dam and the Mount Marley Water Treatment Plant.

Firefighters drew “very little water” from Storm King Dam during the recent bushfires with Cr Dobie stating there was virtually no impact on the urban water supply.

Ms Palaszczuk said the Government was considering options for farmers who had lost fencing and other infrastructure during the fires.