SDRC councillors unanimously refused a proposed intensive water extracting operation at Cherrabah, handing residents a happy victory. The decision was made in Stanthorpe, a town which could have negatively impacted that towns’ bores had it been approved.
Andrew O’Dea, speaking for residents, said he “is very pleased with the unanimous decision by the Southern Downs Regional Council and the mayor’s speech regarding keeping our water in our shire.”
About 15 concerned residents flanked elected officials in the gallery in Stanthorpe during the ordinary meeting of council. The residents previously briefed councillors on what they saw as a dangerous proposal to remove 96 ML of water primarily the Stanthorpe Adamellite aquifer.
Councillors wholeheartedly agreed with their position and voted unanimously to refuse a material change of use application by the owners to build an industrial building on the site. The ongoing anxiety drew the attention of ABC News and A Current Affair, both of which aired the issue leading up to council’s decision.
Everyone from the mayor to Cr Sarah Deane took the opportunity to make speeches about keeping water here and preserving amenity.
The Queensland State government granted the water license several years ago and, despite pressure from residents, MP James Lister, and the media, have not agreed to reexamine the license or walk it back.
“It is now up to the water minister to call in the water license and end all this agony for the shire residents by leaving the water in the shire”, Mr O’Dea said.
Mayor Hamilton told residents that councils all inherit decisions from past governments which must be fixed and that community trust is paramount. She called on the state government to “listen to us and listen to our community”.
As the vote became clear, residents began to look more relaxed and one seemed on the verge of tears.
Water in the Southern Downs is “not abstract”, Cr Joel Richters said, adding that decisions need to be evidence-based. Indeed, council was not provided with updated technical evidence demonstrating that increasing extraction to that level would avoid impacts on the aquifer, surrounding agricultural uses or the water resource catchment.
Cr Cynthia McDonald pointed out that the Granite Belt, whose bores could be threatened by the level of extraction the state has allowed, are living under permanent water restrictions. She finds the situation incredible in a first world country.
Several councillors thanked council staff for preparing a long and detailed report which informed the refusal vote.
Residents applauded councillors and thanked them before filing out of chambers and opening a bottle of champagne to celebrate.
What’s next? Joyful View, the owners of Cherrabah, has been refused an application to build an industrial building, bottle water and distribute from the site. The company still holds a valid license to extract 96 ML of water from the state government. It is now up to Minister for Water Ann Leahy to revisit that water license. There is no indication, as yet, that she has any intention of doing so and has consistently blamed previous ALP governments for granting the license.
Mr O’Dea agrees.
“This is just the first step to stopping the water extraction from this drought prone area.”
