The SDRC’s decision to not grant an application made by Cherrabah resort to build a water bottling factory on their lands is now heading to Queensland’s Planning and Environment Court on appeal.
Ironically, days before, the Queensland government announced the importance of water security in the shire.
“The Condamine Alluvium is one of Queensland’s most important groundwater systems, and protecting it is non-negotiable, “said Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie.
The Condamine Alluvium (CA) is a highly productive, significant groundwater aquifer located in Queensland’s Darling Downs, supporting intensive agriculture. It consists of complex, thick alluvial deposits up to 140m deep, containing sand and gravel beds underlain by clay.
Any new project would have to “demonstrate beyond any reasonable doubt” that they would “not have a detrimental impact on the Condamine Alluvium, a large and significant water aquifer used for agriculture” the state government announced.
The state government says it is proposing to legislate more property rights for landholders to underpin coexistence in the area.
Minister for Water Anne Leahy has also agreed to have the department re-evaluate the original water license granted to Cherrabah years ago.
Some residents who made submissions on Joyful View Real Estate’s planning application received a letter last week from their lawyers. The letter invited them to be a party to the appeal which they will have to do within 10 days of 26 March.
Now, despite the issue being put to bed, residents will have to approach local and state authorities, access documentation and reports and present them in Planning Court.
It is a requirement of the Planning Act that a copy of the notice of the appeal must be served on each principal submitters, whose submission was not withdrawn, within 10 business days after the appeal is started, an SDRC spokesperson said.
Since the application had “significant conflicts with the Planning Scheme, particularly around rural character, water resources, traffic impacts and the scale of the proposed industrial activity,” it is hoped that the SDRC’s decision will stand.
Mayor Melissa Hamilton has also contacted Minister Leahy, saying that the community is “questioning” the water license and asked for a review of the license.
“Using water for bottling is an entirely different prospect to using it for agriculture, tourism or urban supplies and growth, all of which benefit our region. Water bottling is the same as any resource extraction, but there is no real benefit to our community by allowing water to be extracted and sold outside our region. The irony of water being exported out of Queensland’s most drought prone region…is not lost on our community.”
The Mayor told the Minister that no technical reporting has been submitted that indicates sustainability or protection to the ecosystem.
Mayor Hamilton has also thanked MP David LIttleproud for also pressuring Minister Leahy to revoke the water license. “On behalf of council, I am most grateful for your swift action and follow-up regarding this matter.”
Council cannot comment on active Planning and Environment Court appeals.
