THE QUEENSLAND State Member for Burnett, Rob Messenger, has expressed concerns about plans in his electorate to release treated sewage into the ocean.
The Gladstone Regional Council, located in the Burnett electorate, is determining how it will dispose of treated effluent from a proposed desalination plant and waste water system.
Messenger says the council’s current proposal is to discharge into the ocean off Agnes Water. He is concerned about the potential impact on the marine environment.
The waters in question are governed by the
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. The MP says the organisation is completely unaware of the council’s plans.
Any final decision on ocean dumping must be ratified by the authority.
The council says it is investigating alternatives such as using the effluent for irrigation.
