Failing to look after businesses in Stanthorpe
We’re approaching the public consultation phase of the Regional Water Assessment (RWA). The RWA has provided the Southern Downs region with access to a wide range of experts and a critical opportunity for it to assess what options are available to provide water to residents during droughts. The impact of failing to engage with the RWA, its assessment and all viable options will be devastating to the development and growth of Stanthorpe. So is our Council stepping up to this challenge?
Why don’t I let Councillor Tancred answer that one in his own words?
“Council has no official position on the Warwick to Stanthorpe pipeline option”
Mayor Pennisi and Councillor Tancred have been involved in the RWA for more than 18 months now, so why doesn’t Council have a position on the pipeline? It’s really beyond belief.
The are two main options in the RWA, Emu Swamp Dam and extending the Toowoomba to Warwick pipeline through to Stanthorpe. These options have been on the table for quite some time now, and both Mayor Pennisi and Councillor Tancred have attended numerous RWA meetings where these options have been discussed.
On the cusp of the RWA going out to public consultation, why hasn’t Council undertaken a review of their commitment to Emu Swamp Dam? Many things have changed since SDRC made its commitment to this project: not least SDRC is now the only participant and it is now estimated to be at least 7 times the cost it was at the time of SDRC’s commitment.
But more importantly why has council also not given any consideration to the other main option? My own guess is that Mayor Pennisi and Councillor Tancred are unwilling to take it back to the full Council, because they don’t want our representatives to discuss an option that is not Emu Swamp Dam. They are both conflicted at Council level, because there is a *perception* that they may not be able to act in the best interests of residents. So it would be up to our other Councillors to discuss the various options, and perhaps agree on a starting position as regards the pipeline.
There’ll be more detail in our upcoming blogs, but basically the pipeline costs less than one-fifth of Emu Swamp Dam, and as a bonus it actually supplies water during a drought, which Emu Swamp Dam does not. It is the only option under the RWA which will mean that we do not have to truck water to Stanthorpe during a drought.
Councillor Tancred has publicly stated that the pipeline:
provides no economic development water
FALSE. The pipeline would provide water to town businesses. The statement is only true as regards agricultural water.
provides no new water (as opposed to the water allocated in the current Border Rivers Water plan)
FALSE. The water provided through the pipeline is on top of our water allocations. So there is new water for town businesses. Again, this is only true as regards agricultural water
has unknown funding and running costs to Council
TRUE, but only because Council has refused to properly engage with the process. Why not just go ask? And as a reminder, the funding and running costs for Emu Swamp Dam were estimates only, and have already increased 700% for construction costs (according to the RWA) and at least 300% for running costs (according to Ernst & Young).
In these statements one thing is clear: Councillor Tancred is not looking out for the interests of town businesses and residents. That perceived conflict looks spot on, doesn’t it?
It’s past time for our Council to consider all of the options and at least have a preliminary view on whether an option would meet the needs of residents and town businesses. We’ll be keeping our eye on upcoming Council meetings to see whether that happens.
18 September 2023