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2023 LGAQ ANNUAL CONFERENCE MOTIONS · Attachment 2 - MOTION B - Cr Lorentson - State Policy on Ocean Sewerage Outfalls
ATTACHMENT 2 - MOTION B
2023 LGAQ Annual Conference – Motions template
Who is the key contact for this motion? Cr Amelia Lorentson
(required)
Submitting council (required) Noosa Council
Supporting organisation (if applicable) n/a
Council resolution # (required) 20/07/2023
Date of council resolution 20/07/2023
(required)
Does this motion have state-wide relevance? (This is a required field) YES
Title of motion (required) State Policy on Ocean Sewerage Outfalls
Motion That the LGAQ advocate to the State Government
(required) of Queensland to formulate a State Policy on
Ocean Sewerage Outfalls that aims at:
1. No new ocean and estuarine sewerage
outfalls to be built/developed along the
Queensland coastline, and
2. Dedicated funding to be provided to
support local regional governments and
wastewater providers with existing ocean
and estuarine outfalls, to develop new
methods/technologies and make every
effort to recycle treated wastewater
generated within their localities and avoid
the need to discharge in the ocean.
What is the desired outcome sought?
• Stop the use of the ocean as a rubbish
(required) 200 word limit dump.
• Set State recycling targets with economic
incentives to drive reform.
• Reduce the impact of liquid waste on the
environment and communities
• Transitioning towards a circular economy for
liquid waste
• Building economic opportunity
The disposal of liquid waste into our waterways,
including freshwater, oceans and rivers creates
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social and environmental problems for
Queensland.
We need to develop a standard that can be
replicated across all the States in Australia.
Background In October 2022: Noosa Council moved a
(required) 350 word limit motion at the LGAQ Conference: Regions
becoming more Resource Independent through
efficient use and re-use of Wastewater.
I called on the LGAQ to advocate to the State
Government of Qld to undertake a state-wide
analysis of recycled water reuse that values the
protection of local ecosystems and provides
suitable data to assist councils and water
authorities and retailers in producing business
cases for water reuse. Supported (almost
unanimous).
In June 2023: Noosa Council moved a motion at
the Australian Local Government Association
(ALGA) calling on the Australian Government to
formulate a National Policy on Ocean Sewerage
Outfalls that aims at:
• No new ocean and estuarine sewerage
outfalls to be built/developed along the
Australian coastline, and
• Dedicated funding to be provided to
support local regional governments and
wastewater providers with existing ocean
and estuarine outfalls, to develop new
methods/technologies and make every
effort to recycle 100% of all treated
wastewater generated within their
localities and avoid the need to discharge
in the ocean.
It was carried unopposed by 357 Councils in
Australia. It also attracted over 12,000
signatures
This motion supports and aligns with intent and
the outcomes sought by ALGA, 2023 and
LGAQ, 2022 motions.
Queensland coastline and rivers are some of
our most important places. They are not
rubbish tip.
It is time to take a stance to stop new ocean
and estuarine sewerage outfalls to be
built/developed along the Australian coastline.
July 23
Wilson Crawley
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It is time to reduce the impact of not just solid
waste but also liquid waste on our environment
and communities.
It is time to transition towards a circular
economy for wastewater and building economic
opportunity.
And uncertainty around emerging contaminants
such as PFAS and micro plastics and toxins
requires improved systems and investment to
manage WWTP for cleaner oceans.
We need to transition to cleaner wastewater,
for cleaner oceans, for all of Queensland.
Case study/ Example South Australia: Urban Water Directions
(optional) 350 word limit Statement
Europe: New EU rules to protect better the health
of Europeans.
For example:
‘Make the wastewater sector energy-neutral and
move it towards climate neutrality by reducing
energy use, using the larger surfaces of some
wastewater treatments plants to produce
solar/wind energy, encouraging water reuse and
using sludge to produce biogas.
Make industry responsible for treating toxic
micropollutants (“polluter pays” principle) that are
released into the environment from the use of
their products, especially harmful residues from
pharmaceutical and cosmetics sector.
“This will reduce direct emissions of organic
matter, nitrogen and phosphorus to water bodies,
but also litter and microplastics captured by urban
runoff.”
July 23
Wilson Crawley