Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner accused of ‘scare tactics’ over water restrictions talk

Water Minister Glenn Butcher has accused Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner of “scare tactics” after he raised the alarm about the state’s ongoing water supply.

Water Minister Glenn Butcher has accused Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner of “scare tactics” after he raised the alarm about the state’s ongoing water supply.

Fronting the media on Tuesday following Mr Schrinner’s plea for the state government to take action, Mr Butcher claimed even if Queensland did “not have a drop of rain” for the next year, the state would not face the water restrictions Mr Schrinner had referenced.

But the Water Minister did say a new source of water would be needed, the details of which were currently being worked out during a review of southeast Queensland’s 30-year water security plan.

“We’re waiting for the plan to come back, and we will release that information and what those sources … will be by the end of the year,” he said.

“Once the water security plan is out for southeast Queensland (we will) have detail on the new water source, we’ve identified that we will need another source of water.”

“We already have two forms of manufactured water here in Queensland.”

Asked whether it was likely the state government would look to approve any new desalination plants, Mr Butcher said “it may be an option”.

“We’ll let you know as soon as (the water security plan) is released at the end of the year,” he said.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner says it’s been evident for years “that Brisbane desperately needs another major water source”. Picture: Adam Head

But Mr Butcher was adamant current water levels in southeast Queensland were not an issue – saying with the water levels across the grid sitting at 71 per cent “this is the most secure grid not only in Australia, but most likely the world”.

“Let me be clear: our South-East Queensland water supplies are safe and secure,” he said.

“Queenslanders can be confident of that.

“Even if we don’t get rain for the next 12 months, we’re still not going to be talking about those restrictions (Mr Schrinner) was talking about.”

The Lord Mayor this week raised concerns about the water supply, saying: “it has been clear for a number of years now that Brisbane desperately needs another major water source”.

“I’m agnostic about whether it’s a dam, desalination or recycled water,” he said.

“But this is a conversation we have to have. It takes years to properly plan and deliver new water sources.”

LNP water spokeswoman Deb Frecklington accused the government of failing to “plan, fund and build the water infrastructure Queensland needs”.

“Reports that Wivenhoe dam has fallen to 70% of capacity and is on-track to fall to just 50% next year, are deeply concerning,” she said.

“After nearly a decade in government, Labor still has not consulted Queenslanders or developed a plan to address water security across our state.

“Meanwhile, our population continues to grow, putting more pressure on our precious limited water supply.”

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner says for years he’s been calling on another water source in addition to Wivenhoe Dam.

EARLIER

Brisbane residents could face water restrictions in the next 12 months, with the South East Queensland water grid forecast to drop to 50 per cent by next September, sparking renewed calls for a second dam.

As of Monday, the SEQ water grid was sitting at 70.6 per cent.

The lowest the grid has dropped to in the past 10 years was in October 2021, when it fell to 55.3 per cent.

In data provided by SEQ Water to Brisbane City Council, the latest predictions were the water grid would reach 60 per cent in January 2024, and 50 per cent in September 2024.

Mandatory water restrictions are triggered when the grid level gets to 50 per cent.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the predicament of Brisbane’s water supplies needed to be addressed.

“It’s been clear for a number of years now that Brisbane desperately needs another major water source,” Mr Schrinner said.

“Brisbane residents are currently being warned they could face water restrictions in 12 months’ time, if weather predictions about a dry summer are right.

“This comes just two years after the region faced restrictions when dam levels dropped to just 55 per cent.”

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, El Nino has a high chance of being declared and it is expected to bring hot and dry condition until at least early 2024.

Mr Schrinner said for years he had been calling on another water source in addition to Wivenhoe Dam.

“Brisbane is Australia’s fastest-growing capital city with an additional 200,000 homes expected in the next two decades,” he said.

“The risk posed by climate change makes the situation even worse.”

Mr Schrinner said the second water source was needed sooner than previously predicted.

“I’m agnostic about whether it’s a dam, desalination or recycled water,” he said.

“But this is a conversation we have to have.

“It takes years to properly plan and deliver new water sources.

“If the state government continues its approach of not doing a damn thing, our region will be left even more at risk of running dry.”

Originally published as Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner accused of ‘scare tactics’ over water restrictions talk