A new initiative to save water has been launched by Brisbane City Council and the Federal Government.

The project is the latest step towards making Brisbane Australia’s greenest city.

Eve Kelso reports.

TRANSCRIPT

This morning was a rare show of bi-partisanship when representatives from both sides of politics came together for the launch of the Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse Project.

It will see stormwater captured and reused to irrigate parks in seven different locations around Brisbane and will save more than 185 megalitres of water each year.

Graham Quirk, Lord Mayor: “It’s with great delight that this is a 50-50 arrangement. The Federal Government and Brisbane City Council joining together with $5.3 million each on this water harvest program.”

The program will provide more than 5.5 billion megalitres of treated stormwater each year.

It will have an economic benefit of $13.3 million over the next 25 years.

Both sides said water was not a political issue but one of great importance to all Australians.

Kevin Rudd, Member for Griffith: “Water is our most precious national resource. It’s one which is scarce in this country. If you’re going to make agriculture work, you need water. If you’re going to make cities work, you need water.”

Irrigation systems like these are designed to provide relief during the long periods of drought historically experienced in Brisbane.

Council has already rolled out eight other storm water harvesting sites across Brisbane.

They have modelled the next 50 parks to benefit from stormwater irrigation over the next 10 years.

Eve Kelso, QUT News.