Recent rainfall has led to an increase in the surface water level of Miriam Vale’s primary water source, Baffle Creek.

This has meant that the creek is now flowing at the location where Council extracts water from before it is pumped to the Miriam Vale Water Treatment Plant.

While regular reporting will continue, surface water monitoring and modelling predict that there is more than one year of supply based on current levels.

Forecasts of a wet summer season due to the onset of a La Niña weather pattern that predicts above average rainfall has given Council confidence to lift restrictions.

Miriam Vale residents were placed on water restrictions of 125 litres per person per day on 1 September 2019. This was lifted on 3 December 2021.

Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett said Miriam Vale residents excelled in saving water with the town quickly responding by recording low levels of usage, while weekly water meter readings kept everyone informed on their progress.

“I want to thank Miriam Vale residents and businesses for their resilience and patience during what was a challenging period of time,” Councillor Burnett said.

“I commend the community’s positive and proactive approach to water restrictions and their willingness to work with Council to find viable solutions.

“This was a genuine partnership of Council and community working together and being conscious of water use in order to achieve a sustainable supply for the future.

“Residents and business owners did a fantastic job in response to water restrictions and consistently met their consumption target of 125L per person per day, while inspiring other areas of the region to be water wise.”

Cr Burnett said he was confident the Miriam Vale community would continue to practice water-wise methods and encouraged the entire Gladstone Region to follow suit.

“While it’s fantastic to see some much-needed rainfall in recent weeks, it’s important to remember the Gladstone Region is still drought declared by the Queensland Government and has been since May 2019,” he said.

“Council’s website has some handy water saving tips that can be applied during times of low and above-average rainfall, so please continue to be mindful of your usage.”

Please visit www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/water-wise for tips and further information.

Background to Miriam Vale water restrictions

• In May 2019 the Gladstone Region was drought declared by the Queensland Government following a significant decline in rainfall
• In August 2019, Baffle Creek’s raw water supply had reduced to a level where Council started looking for a more secure water source
• Baffle Creek is the primary water source for the Miriam Vale township, and while most other areas in the Gladstone Region source water from Lake Awoonga, Baffle Creek has – until recently – been impacted by drought conditions
• Council began to work with residents both in town and beyond to identify water saving initiatives
• Public meetings were called where Council officers ran information sessions to let people know what was happening and to hear their thoughts and ideas
• Several solutions were examined to safely supplement Miriam Vale’s existing water supply – an alternative source was found but had to be tested to ensure quality, safety and reliability
• During the testing period, additional water was trucked to the Miriam Vale Water Treatment Plant
• However, to effectively manage the local supply, water reduction targets were introduced on 1 September 2019
• A target of 125 litres per person per day for all residential properties was set, and where other factors had to be considered, variations were allowed on a case-by-case basis
• Water restrictions (equivalent to Level 3 restrictions) lifted on 3 December 2021.

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