Queensland Water Minister Mark McArdle has started a regional tour of south east Queensland councils to cover electricity and water supply issues facing the state’s regional councils.

Mr McArcle said that the meeting with local mayors and councillors was crucial in establishing a fruitful relationship between state and local governments.

Mr McArdle said providing safe, reliable and affordable energy and water supply was vital to meeting the basic needs of communities and for the future development of Queensland.

“That is why my department is developing 30 year plans for the delivery of these essential services,” he said.

“During our meetings I will encourage regional councils to contribute to the Queensland Water Sector Discussion Paper and the Energy Directions Paper, both available on the Department of Energy and Water Supply’s website www.dews.qld.gov.au.

Minister McArdle’s 2013 schedule, to date is as follows:

22 January                Somerset Regional Council
23 January                Logan City Council
30 January                Gold Coast City Council
31 January                Brisbane City Council/ Redland City Council
1 February                Sunshine Coast Council
4-8 February             Cairns Regional Council/Townsville City Council/Whitsunday Regional Council
20 February               Ipswich City Council /Lockyer Valley Regional Council
24-25 February          Fraser Coast Regional Council (Community Cabinet)
26-27 February          South Burnett Regional Council/ Toowoomba Regional Council
13 March                  Moreton Bay Regional Council
27 March                  Scenic Rim Regional Council