When you're talking about issues like climate change and water use, everybody has an opinion and most of them are different.

CQU Bundaberg and CQU Foundation gave a range of people the chance to have their say at its Think Drink and Link hypothetical "Water we going to do?" recently.

Politicians, academics and industry leaders from the local community got together to consider what they'd do in ten years if the southeast had a major weather crisis, three days of rain, increased .sea levels, full moon and cyclone marmalade hoovering around the coast.

Paradise Dam was built but should it have been? With a link to the Year of Freshwater the panel and audience members were asked by facilitator ABC Wide Bay news editor Bruce Honeywill to consider the decisions that are being made in the year 2003.

The panel included Griffith University’s Professor Angela Arthington, CQU Associate Professor Stewart Lockie, Chairperson of the Community Advisory Committee of the Murray Darling Ministerial Council Leith Boully, local member of parliament Trevor Strong, marine biologist Sue Sargent, Queensland Seafood Industry Association president John Olsen and chairperson of the Wide Bay General Practitioners Dr Shaun Rudd.

CQU Bundaberg Community Relations Officer and CQU Foundation coordinator Deirdre Fagan-Pagliano said the night was a success.

“The audience certainly enjoyed the night, there was an opportunity to discuss economic and environmental matters which are important to the community in an informed democratic manner. The local media were also asked to explain the difficulties involved with delivering news.

“The whole point of the event is to allow members of the community to link to others and the university think about a topic and of course have a drink.

As well as the hypothetical there was a showcase of smart h20 technology, farming and housing with the link to water.

“Local companies were involved which is important to reinforce the talent that exists within their own community.

“CQU believes strongly in the need to be part of the community and this was an excellent example of this occurring. We are looking forward to the next one.”.

Photo above: It’s all over. Leith Boully chats with facilitator Bruce Honeywill after the water we going to do hypothetical.

Photo let: Panel members from left Professor Angela Arthington, Leith Boully, Associate Professor Stewart Lockie and Dr Shaun Rudd work out water they going to say.