By Jeremy Sollars
Queensland Agriculture Minister Mark Furner says the Southern Downs and Granite Belt region’s Local Drought Committee (LDC) is still expected to meet by the end of April to review our current drought declaration.
With community resolve being tested by the economic impact of COVID-19 the region is still faced with drought conditions, despite above-average rainfall in February.
Urban water supplies were shored up to an extent from the rain in February although carting of water from Warwick’s Connolly Dam to Stanthorpe is continuing.
The LDC’s membership includes primary producer representatives but the identities of the committee members are kept confidential by the government.
The Southern Downs Regional Council area has been drought-declared since May 2018.
Mr Furner told the Free Times Local Drought Committees “meet at least once a year at the end of the summer rainfall period to assess seasonal conditions”.
“The Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries makes drought declarations and revocations following recommendations from the LDCs,” Mr Furner said, referring to himself.
“Southern Downs Regional Council’s LDC is scheduled to meet by the end of April.
“COVID-19 is not a factor in the LDC decisions however meetings will be conducted online or by teleconference where possible to maintain social distancing.”
The minister has previously said that rainfall is “one factor considered, but the full range of local conditions including pasture growth are assessed and considered when committees make their recommendations”.
SOUTHERN DOWNS REGIONAL COUNCIL WATER UPDATE, WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL –
Current levels and expected run out dates…
Stanthorpe –
• Current level and volume 18.7% and 385 ML.
• Water remains in Storm King Dam as a contingency for emergency events and to provide a habitat for aquatic life. Based on current usage, Storm King Dam would reach its minimum operating level in 4 months if water for Stanthorpe was being sourced from the dam.
Warwick –
• Leslie – current level and volume 13.85% and 14,716 ML
• Connolly – current level and volume 86.8% and 1880 ML
• Based on the latest data and current targeted usage (120 l/p/d), Leslie Dam will take approximately 30 months to reach its minimum operating level. Connolly Dam will be able to supply water for 24 months based on current water usage. This includes the supply of water to Stanthorpe and will be dependent on water quality.
Water release from Leslie Dam by Sunwater…
• Water allocation above 14,960 ML dam volume (14.08%) is managed by Sunwater in accordance with the user agreements between Sunwater and licence holders. Sunwater controls how and when this water is released.
• All releases for irrigation cease once the dam volume reaches 14,960 ML. The remaining supply is reserved exclusively for town water supply for Southern Downs Regional Council.
Water restrictions…
• In light of current circumstances and to give residents confidence that they have access to sufficient quantities of water to protect themselves against COVID-19 through good hygiene practices, Council further relaxed water restrictions to 120 litres per person per day as of 18 March 2020.
• The target for residential properties is 120 litres/person/day (l/p/d)
BOM SUMMER RAINFALL TOTALS…
Warwick –
• Dec 23.8mm
• Jan 60mm
• Feb 180.2
• TOTAL 264mm
(Long-term Dec-Feb average 249.4mm)
Stanthorpe –
• Dec 53.9
• Jan 136
• Feb 144.5
TOTAL 334.4mm
(Long-term Dec-Feb average – 275.9mm)
