Water needs must be above politics

Monday, 22 January 2007

Central Coast water needs must be above politics

Both major parties need to stop playing politics with the Central Coast’s water supply and work at finding real solutions to the crisis, according to NSW Greens MP and water spokesperson Ian Cohen.

“The people of the Central Coast have suffered as Labor and the Coalition focus on each other’s shortcomings rather than finding real solutions,” said Mr Cohen.

“The Central Coast’s water supply became a political football in Macquarie Street late last year as both major parties fought over the wording of a piece of legislation that was all about blaming each other. The water needs of the Central Coast got lost in the political point scoring.

“The Greens have long proposed sustainable and effective solutions to urban water problems around NSW. Peter Debnam has picked up on some of these, and it is heartening to hear him talk today of increased rebates for water tanks and funding for stormwater harvesting and large scale recycling.

“If Peter Debnam is serious about implementing the reuse options he has proposed for the Central Coast then the Tillegra dam would be surplus to requirements.

“The fact that both major parties continue to support the expensive and environmentally damaging Tillegra dam shows that they have not overcome the once use only mentality that led to the Central Coast’s water problems in the first place.

“It’s easy for Morris Iemma and Peter Debnam to make promises in the heat of a campaign, but whomever wins the election should remember that sustainable water use has long been an absolute priority for The Greens. We will be making sure they keep any promises they make on the issue,” concluded Mr Cohen.

Ian Cohen will be addressing Wyong Shire Council during its debate on desalination this Wednesday the 24th of January at 4.45pm.

Last year Mr Cohen chaired a parliamentary inquiry into Sydney’s water supply with specific reference to its proposed desalination plant.