Category: Water
The world’s fresh water supplies are almost fully exploited.Almost al, 97 per cent, of the world’s water is salt. Of the fresh water in the world, two thirds is locked up as ice and snow (the cryosphere – to you and me, kid!). Globally, three quarters of the water that is used is used by agriculture. India, China and the United States, use more fresh water than is available. The water level in those nation’s aquifers is falling as a result.The current food crisis has come about largely as a result as the shortfall in available water begins to impact on the cost of irrigation.Â
admin /28 July, 2010
Gillard promises $100m for stormwater projects
By online political correspondent Emma Rodgers
Updated 42 minutes ago
Labor has pledged $100 million to improve stormwater drains across the country.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard is set to detail the policy in Adelaide today where she is campaigning.
Labor says the funds would be used for stormwater projects that will help secure water supplies across Australia.
“Securing and diversifying water supplies is central to building a sustainable Australia,” a statement from Prime Minister Julia Gillard says.
“We simply cannot afford to let precious water go to waste.”
admin /27 July, 2010
NB. Sounds crazy. But is it ???
Plan to pipe water from PNG to Queensland
By PNG correspondent Liam Fox
Updated 1 hour 31 minutes ago
Businessman Fred Ariel says the pipeline would be cheaper than desalination plants and water recycling. (ABC News: Damien Larkins, file photo)
A Queensland businessman has signed a deal with the Papua New Guinean government to look at piping fresh water 3,000 kilometres to Australia.
Fred Ariel is a successful tourism entrepreneur who wants to build a $30 billion pipeline from Papua New Guinea’s highlands to south-east Queensland.
He has signed an agreement with the PNG government to conduct a feasibility study.
It sounds crazy, but Mr Ariel says the plan is feasible and would solve the Queensland’s water woes.
admin /24 July, 2010
Court battle looms over Snowy River flows
Updated 15 minutes ago
Eight years ago the Commonwealth, New South Wales and Victorian governments agreed to spend $375 million to improve the dwindling river’s flow. (AAP: Jennifer Chapman)
Environmentalists are taking the NSW Government to court over what they say is its failure to restore environmental flows to the Snowy River.
admin /21 July, 2010
Dungog Council votes against Mayor and Tillegra proposal
Media release: 21 July 2010
The myth of local community support for Tillegra has been exploded by Dungog Council’s overwhelming vote of no confidence in its Mayor, Glenn Wall, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
Commenting on the 6 to 2 vote at last night’s meeting and the subsequent vote reaffirming Council’s opposition to the $477 million dam, Dr Kaye said: “This is another body blow to the Tillegra proposal.
“Councillor Wall’s attempts to run political cover for the Keneally government’s dam have left him isolated and exposed.
“He has little choice but to step down. If he remains in office he will end his term as a lame duck mayor with no authority.
admin /20 July, 2010
Dungog Council move on Mayor for failure to represent on dam Media release: 20 July 2010 Dungog Mayor Glenn Wall should resign for failing to express the DungogCouncil’s position on Tillegra dam regardless of the numbers attonight’s Council meeting, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye. Commenting on the no confidence motion in Councillor Wall to be movedthis Continue Reading →
admin /20 July, 2010
Federal poll delays irrigation cuts plan
Updated 1 hour 52 minutes ago
Basin draft plan release delayed again (7pm TV News SA)
Release of a much-anticipated draft plan for the future of the Murray-Darling Basin has been delayed.
A proposed July release had already been delayed until the first week of August.
Now the Murray-Darling Basin Authority says it would be inappropriate in the federal election lead-up to unveil the draft plan on future water use.
It has indicated the release will now be at the end of August.
Irrigators had been demanding details of expected big cuts before the federal poll.
