Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett said Council would work together with the community to identify water saving initiatives.

“The Gladstone Region was drought declared on 1 May 2019 by the Queensland Government, following a significant decline in rainfall,” Councillor Burnett said.

“Baffle Creek is the primary water source for the Miriam Vale township, and while most other areas in the Gladstone Region are connected to Lake Awoonga, the Baffle Creek water supply has been impacted by drought conditions.

Cr Burnett said Council is currently scoping a solution to improve water security for the Miriam Vale township.

“Council has explored several solutions to safely supplement the existing water source and has identified an alternate water source that is currently being tested to ensure quality, safety and reliability.”

Cr Burnett said during the testing period, Council would supplement water by trucking water to the Miriam Vale Water Treatment Plant.

The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted the region will continue to experience dry conditions up to late 2019, and therefore Gladstone Regional Council will implement water restrictions as part of its Drought Management Plan.

At this stage, water restrictions will be implemented in Miriam Vale only, however this will be monitored as drought conditions continue.