Building industry throws cold water on Toowoomba council's compulsory tanks ... - ABC Local

By Sam Burgess

Posted June 12, 2013 12:29:04

The Master Builders Association (MBA) says the Toowoomba council on southern Queensland's Darling Downs is passing costs onto the building industry by pushing for compulsory water tanks.

State laws that required the installation of tanks on new homes have been repealed but the council will ask the Government to reintroduce the rules for certain properties in the Toowoomba area.

The council says it is to ensure future water needs are met.

Water portfolio councillor Nancy Sommerfield says the alternative, building new dams for the city, is an expensive option.

"There's going to be a reasonably significant boom in our region I believe and by looking to the future in this way I believe we're helping with our water security," she said.

"Given the history that we have, where we've come from, we're basing our decision on the fact that there will be dry times in the future and we also need to look at the ongoing growth of the region."

MBA spokesman Tony Ryder says the policy does not make sense.

"I don't really believe that they can adequately demonstrate reintroduction of tanks is in fact a cost-effective alternative instead of building dams," he said.

Mr Ryder says it will drive up the cost of new houses by up to $7,000.

Topics: community-development, activism-and-lobbying, local-government, water-management, regional, regional-development, building-and-construction, toowoomba-4350