Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says it is scare mongering to suggest that recycled water will keep tourists away from the Gold Coast. Treated waste water will be added to the Wivenhoe Dam next year, and some opponents say it will be disastrous for tourism on the coast.

Ms Bligh says the Gold Coast will not even get the recycled water unless the local Hinze Dam starts to dry up. "I think it's unfortunate there's this sort of scare mongering happening about our recycled water program," she said.

"On the Gold Coast for example, they wouldn't be seeing any of the water out of Wivenhoe Dam unless the Hinze Dam was in such critical drought that they had no water at all. "This program is safe, it will be a great addition to our water supply, and it will help ensure that we are drought-proof for the future."

(ABC, 17/11/2008)