Freeleagus said the shire is currently working with the Queensland Government to try and come up with a water allocation for the town of Moranbah, to bring water infrastructure up to speed with the population needs.

He said Moranbah needed help from both local mining companies like Anglo Coal and BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance and from the Government.

“The council will have to vote at the next council meeting on January 18 as to whether it proceeds or doesn’t proceed with development applications,” Freeleagus said.

“It covers any development in the town; I have a child-minding service coming to the next council meeting, but if we’ve got no water, that won’t be getting through council.”

He said a no vote would affect the ability of mining companies to build extra housing or services and would perhaps send a message to them that the town needs more support to keep up with growth.

“Do we allow development, or do we make the place liveable? I suppose that is the question,” he said.

“I am hoping that before the 18th we can sit down with the Government and sort out this water allocation.”

Meanwhile, in a bid to best manage the existing water supply and infrastructure in the town, Belyando Shire is working with water consulting engineering company Earth Tech.

Earth Tech is conducting a study to find out how the shire can conserve water and make better use of available water supplies.

Freeleagus said the objective of the study is to save water by investigating the potential for reducing losses in water systems, water substitution, re-use and recycling, as well as community education about water.

“We need to find the best ways to improve water use efficiency, identify alternative water sources and better manage existing water sources,” Freeleagus said.

Earth Tech is undertaking a study which will look at overall water management in the mining town of Moranbah and the surrounding areas.

Earth Tech project manager for the study Iouri Vaisman said the current water problems can be addressed through an integrated water management approach.

“Our aim is to balance the demand for water with the supply. We will look at whether the right water is being used for the right purpose. We will also be investigating opportunities to recycle wastewater,” Vaisman said.