2023 LGAQ ANNUAL CONFERENCE MOTIONS · Attachment 1 - MOTION A - Cr Lorentson - Support of Noosa Council’s ALGA motion for a National Policy on Ocean Sewerage Outfalls

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What is the desired outcome sought?   Advocacy and support by LGAQ of an ALGA Motion
(required) 200 word limit             calling on the Australian Government to formulate a
                                      National Policy on Ocean Sewerage Outfalls, that
                                      was carried unopposed at the National Gallery of
                                      Australia in June 2023. Desired outcomes:
                                       • Stop the use of the ocean as a rubbish dump
                                       • Reduce the impact of liquid waste on the
                                          environment and communities
                                       • Transition towards a circular economy for liquid
                                          waste
                                       • Build economic opportunity
                                       • Set Wastewater diversion targets from all
                                          waterways, including freshwater, oceans and
                                          rivers
                                       • Set Wastewater reuse and recycle targets with
                                          economic incentives to drive reform
                                       • Pollution caps and
                                       • Investment in wastewater reuse and
                                          infrastructure.
                                      The disposal of liquid waste into our waterways,
                                      including freshwater, oceans and rivers creates
                                      social and environmental problems for Queensland
                                      and the country.
                                      Wastewater reuse solutions and technologies exist.
                                      And some Councils around Australia including WA,
                                      SA and Qld are leading the way. Our environment,
                                      community and country demand a better way of
                                      managing waste that does not destroy what we love,
                                      our beaches and coastline.
Background                            In June 2023: Noosa Council moved a motion at the
(required) 350 word limit             Australian Local Government Association (ALGA)
                                      calling on the Australian Government to formulate a
                                      National Policy on Ocean Sewerage Outfalls that
                                      aims at:
                                      1. No new ocean and estuarine sewerage outfalls
                                          to be built/developed along the Australian
                                          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 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.
                                      Water scarcity, extreme weather events, droughts,


                                                                                       July 23
                                                                               Wilson Crawley