Queensland ratepayers could save more than $1 billion if the State Government provides for smarter infrastructure procurement and less wastage, the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has said.

LGAQ president Cr Paul Bell said today that councils believe the government elected on March 21 could save ratepayers and taxpayers more than $1 billion over the next five years in infrastructure spending.

“We’ve been frustrated by the political parties’ unwillingness to look ahead and listen to infrastructure procurement specialists whose planning shows that this $1 billion in savings is no pie-in-the-sky suggestion, but something which is eminently achievable,” Cr Bell said.

“A good start would be to coordinate the upgrading of 100 council sewerage treatment plants which the state’s Environmental Protection Agency’s waste water discharge standards rightly wants to see at tertiary treatment standards,” he said.

Cr Bell said he had put saving suggestions to the government and opposition parties in the lead up to the election, but had been met with silence from both sides.

“Doing this on the traditional, single-plant upgrade model would cost the state $1.5 billion. A coordinated, state-wide program would do it for around $1.15 billion, saving $350 million. Savings in this area can also extend to water and waste infrastructure.

“I hesitate to use the Smart State analogy, but in these times of economic stress, it’s time for bold action by whatever political party is elected to govern. Wastage by governments is no longer acceptable – they must look to the future,” Cr Bell said.