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24 April 2007

Who controls what we drink?

Local is best is the conclusion of most of you.

We had a total of 469 responses with slightly more males than females (57% to 43%), with 61% of them between 45 and 65. The sample leaned to the left (Labor 31%, Greens 24%, Liberal 13%, Nationals 12%). The only group that thought the state was heading in the right direction over water were Labor voters (67% agreed and 19% disagreed). Liberal, National and Greens voters tended just as strongly, or even more strongly, in the opposite direction, with the bulk of people (49%) thinking we were heading in the wrong direction, and a significant minority (39%) disagreeing.

Key findings of the research are:

  1. Support for government initiatives tends to align with voting intention.
  2. Opinion is divided as to whether the current drought could have been predicted, but respondents feel that there has not been enough planning by the state government and that there is a degree of panic about current measures.
  3. The state government is widely regarded as being incompetent on the issue of water, even by its supporters, but with the exception of Sunshine Coast Councils, local government is also seen as being incompetent, although less so.
  4. According to respondents Peter Beattie’s best arguments for taking over control of water are that it will be more administratively efficient, leading to better planning, execution and outcomes, and that it is fairer to all Queenslanders.
  5. According to respondents local government’s best arguments are that decisions ought to be made as close as possible to those affected, and that it is wrong to take assets from those who have built them up and paid for them. Fear is a factor in both of these – fear of loss of control and fear of loss.
  6. There is confusion about who has paid for water infrastructure. Many respondents thought that the state government had paid for water infrastructure. Many also think that it doesn’t matter who owns the assets as long as ratepayers still get to use them.
  7. While the community generally appears to support councils receiving dividends on water, this is heavily qualified. If dividends are spent on water infrastructure and conservation projects, then there is a high degree of support. If they are spent on other projects support appears to be much lower.
  8. There is some minority concern that if the State Government takes over water assets they will be privatized. This resonates with the general concern that a change in ownership will lead to ratepayers being cheated.
  9. Queenslanders would rather deal with their local councillor than their MLA.
  10. Those who voted Labor at the last election are unsettled by the proposal with one-third of the entire sample saying they were less likely to vote Labor in future as a result.

Some verbatims:

“From inaction, arrogance and incompetence there is really only way one can proceed.” (Agree, Labor, Male, 45-54, 4151)

“As only a Leader of an Opposition (any Opposition) has the ability to predict a prolonged drought, the government is doing all that it can to address the prevailing situation.” (Agree, Labor, Male, 65-74, 4507)

“I don't think any Government can do much more under severe drought than what is already being done.” (Agree, I don’t normally vote for an party, Male, 55-64, 4701)
“A group of ad hoc decisions taken hastily without proper planning. Dams being built in catchments that do not have drought proof rainfall instead of a plan to capture water from the ares where it always rains.” (Disagree, National, Male, 55-64, 4006)

“No inducements to conserve water or penalties for failure to conserve water have been implemented against industry, The onus continually falls on poor old Joe Public.” (Disagree, Labor, Female, 45-54, 4133).

“Peter Beattie has seemingly become incapable of delivering any project either on time or on budget. He spends a great deal of money on spin. The ongoing argy bargy with Turnbull is a big worry.” (Disagree, Greens, Female, 65-74, 4152)

“QLD has been running out of water for a long time and nothing practical has been done (besides pray for rain). They keep urging people to move up here but haven't been building the infrastructure. Now they build dams when it's not raining!” (Strongly Disagree, Uncommitted, Female, 25-34, 4151)

“Again the govenment is putting together a reactive solution not a proactive solution to the problem.” (Strongly Disagree, National, Female, 55-64, 4802)

Posted by Graham at 11:07 AM | Comments (9)