Gold Coast Hinterland: Locals still free to water lawns as farmers suffer, close to losing live stock

Farmers in the Gold Coast Hinterland who are close to losing livestock have revealed some of the shocking ways precious water supplies were used up.

FARMERS in the Gold Coast Hinterland say they are close to losing livestock because townies have been allowed to wash cars and water lawns without restrictions.

Authorities began trucking in water for 400 homes in Canungra on Monday after their only source, Canungra Creek, ran dry. Residents are still able access any amount they desire unrestricted through the stock-up grid.

However, the owners of rural properties whose personal dams had run dry months ago have been cut off from accessing water at the Canungra tanker filler station, which closed on Monday. They are now allowed 1000 litres from a temporary tanker in the township each day or forced to travel to Beaudesert up to 40 minutes away to get more.

The temporary water station allowing 1000 litres was only approved after the Bulletin fired off questions to the State Government’s Urban Utilities yesterday.

The Tetlow family one of many at Canungra who no longer have access to water from the Canungra treatment plant and the fuelling station. Emily Spurr fills water trough for the horses with Julie Tetlow in background at their property. Picture Glenn Hampson

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Julie Tetlow, who is spending $3000 a month on stock feed at her Stonefox Ranch at Flying Fox, said the sudden closure of the tanking station put at risk the health of her 24 horses, which each drink 20-50 litres a day.

“We are all caught between a rock and a hard place,” she said. “You struggle to feed every mouth but you can’t sell because their condition has deteriorated.

“Cutting the water cuts off our life line.

“People can’t order in water trucks because the roads are so steep so they have to go and get it themselves.

“In three days a horse is dead without water – we can’t afford not to do it.”

The labour-heavy task has meant Mrs Tetlow’s daughter Emily Spurr has had to move home to help.

“I just felt so bad living away, I got a transfer and cut down my hours to help mum,” she said.

Ms Spurr said she was shocked by authorities’ failure to ration water supplies as the levels of the Canungra Creek continued to drop.

“There was no restrictions on who was filling up. You would see water tankers filling to spray down dust on estate roads, you would see people using it run sprinklers on their perfect green where other people are trucking it out to keep their animals alive.

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Emily Spurr and Julie Tetlow stand in an empty dam at their property. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

“I think water restrictions should have been brought in three months ago, nothing was done to slow people down.

“People who don’t have water connected to their properties are the ones that really have to pay while everyone is free to use water ruthlessly.”

Urban Utilities said formal water restrictions were being finalised and would be in place “as soon as possible”.

Scenic Rim MP John Krause said questions needed to be asked about why measures were not put in place sooner.

“What were Urban Utilities and SEQ Water doing to allow the water levels to get to this point so suddenly? What were their water-saving measures? Where was the monitoring?

“Remember, this is a community which has just been through a terrible fire season. I think the Government needs to make it a priority to ensure access is there.”

The Tetlow family one of many at Canungra will travel up to 40 minutes each way to get enough water for their animals. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said he believed efforts were already being made by those in town to conserve water.

“We recognise that even in the absence of enforced restrictions, our communities are already showing their commitment to being waterwise. However, we would strongly encourage everyone to think about what other things they can do to further reduce their water usage.”