Media Release - $5.39 million for Brisbane Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse

Member for Griffith Kevin Rudd welcomed the Gillard Government’s announcement today that Brisbane City Council will receive $5.39 million for its project – Brisbane City’s Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse Project.

Senator Don Farrell, Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water, today announced nine successful applicants to share a total of more than $42 million in funding under the Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse Projects third competitive grants round.

Mr Rudd said the Brisbane City Council was a successful applicant in a very strong and competitive field of proposals put forward by many organisations under this grant round.

“This project will improve water security by providing an alternative source of water for use in Brisbane,” he said.

“The innovative project will replace up to 185 million litres of drinking water a year by harvesting and reusing treated stormwater. Water storage basins, including above and below ground tanks, will be constructed to allow treated stormwater to be used for irrigation at sport and recreational parks and former landfill locations around Brisbane.

“There is strong community support for this project, which will also reduce the impact of urban run-off on local waterways around Brisbane and maintain a minimal carbon impact through a carbon offset strategy.”

Senator Farrell said the nine successful projects will deliver innovative and sustainable stormwater harvesting and reuse projects to help secure water supplies in urban areas.

“The projects will increase urban water supplies by providing more than 5.5 billion litres of treated stormwater a year,” he said

The Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse Projects third competitive grants round forms part of the National Urban Water and Desalination Plan, which is a key component of the Australian Government’s Water for the Future Initiative and supports urban areas to both secure water supplies and reduce reliance on traditional water sources.