Category: Archive

With its harsh climate and extreme heat, no one thought Central Australia’s sandy soils some 90km south of Alice Springs would be capable of sustaining crops. But Glenn Buddle and his father, Malcolm, who moved from South Australia in 1982, have proved that where there’s a will, there’s a way, reported Queensland Country Life (26 September 2006 p25).

Horse, camel feed: Aided by an extensive irrigation system. the Buddles last year produced 25,000 bales from 32 hectares of their 134ha property, Hugh River Holdings. The small. square bales are sold for horse and camel feed across the state and the round bales are preferred by large stations around Alice Springs.

Work in cool of night: The crop is grown and cut year round, with cropping and baling done at night to overcome the extreme heat of the day, which can reach 45 degrees Celsius. "Basically, as long as we keep the water up and get the fertiliser on, anything will grow," Glenn Buddle said.

Pivot irrgation system: The Buddles work in 8 hectare lots using a pivot irrigation system which pumps water 24 hours during, the summer months and as needed during winter, principally from two bores. The pumps are powered by diesel generators, with 8.5L of fuel needed each hour.

Water, fuel biggest costs: "We’re pumping 40,000 gallons (182,000 litres) an hour, so water and fuel are our biggest costs," Mr Buddle said. "Last year we spent $120,000 on fuel alone."

Alternative fuel costs too much: The Buddles investigated fuel alternatives such as solar systems and wind turbines, but the set up costs currently are prohibitive.

Bale prices increased: To overcome escalating costs, the Buddles have been forced to increase the price they charge a bale. In the last five years the price has doubled from $6 to $12/bale.

Queensland Country Life, 26/9/2006, p. 25

Source: Erisk Net  

One effective way to encourage investment in solar power would be to reward panel owners for the unused power they can feed into the electricity grid, suggested an article in The Age (26 September 2006, p.15).

Dirtier sources penalised: It says many people in the solar industry are calling for the introduction of a "feed-in tariff", where a small levy is added to all power bills. The money is then used to pay households or businesses for their excess solar power at a higher rate than that paid to dirtier sources.

Not a new idea: Governments in Germany, Italy, China, Indonesia, Spain, South Korea and Switzerland have kick-started their industry with such a tariff. A draft proposal prepared by BP Solar and Conergy, says a feed-in tariff would cost the typical power consumer the equivalent of one cup of coffee a year (presumably about $3).

Solar power station mooted: Melbourne firm Solar Systems has proposed a $420 million solar power station in north-western Victoria that could power 40,000 homes.

Boeing bids for taxpayer dollars: Solar Systems and Boeing have developed the project using PV technology designed for satellites. They have applied for Federal funding from the low emission technologies fund.

Divergent policy signals: The State Government has also legislated to require electricity retailers to meet 10 per cent of their energy needs through renewable sources by 2016. But the Victorian Opposition has pledged to scrap the scheme.

The Age, 26/9/2006, p. 15

Source: Erisk Net  

The case of Nigel Potter, the chief executive of British gaming company Wembley who briefly considered a plan to pay $US4 million to the law firm of a US politician, should act as a warning to Australian businesses about the long arm of US law, reported The Australian Financial Review (22/9/2006, p.25).

Three years for crooked ideas: Potter discussed the idea with Wembley’s board, lawyers and auditors before deciding not to go ahead. Although no money changed hands, Potter was sentenced to three years in a Pennsylvania jail for trying to bribe a government official.

Cooperation cut no ice: Potter had gone voluntarily to the US saying he was innocent, but if he had stayed in the UK he faced a big risk of extradition by force.

Australians just as vulnerable: Experts warned that Australians doing business with the US were just as exposed to tough US laws because our extradition treaty required a similarly low burden of proof. Extradition was possible for any criminal offences that carry penal sentences of more than a year in both countries.

The Australian Financial Review, 22/9/2006, p. 25

Source: Erisk Net