Mayor condemns lack of consultation about desal plans

Moreton Bay Regional Council mayor Allan Sutherland has condemned the State Opposition’s lack of consultation over its plans for a desalination plant on Bribie Island.
The Mayor said council had not been consulted before the State Opposition’s announcement on Monday.

“Local residents have a right to feel upset about the way this desalination plant has landed in their backyard,” the Mayor said.
 “The first we all heard about it was on the radio and during the evening news – it’s just not good enough I’m afraid.
 “There was no effort to talk to residents or the council about this project before it was announced in the media.”
The Mayor said he wanted further details of the opposition’s plans for the $1.2 billion desalination plant to be made public before deciding on whether to support the project.
“Council needs reassurance that proper community consultation will be carried out, that environmental concerns are adequately addressed and that infrastructure needs associated with such a major project have been considered,” he said.
“The State Opposition claimed on Monday that they would have the plant operational within two years, if elected.  This sounds a lot like a rush job to me – community consultation and environmental studies can’t be rushed and hurried through just because it suits the opposition’s political timetable.