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 /15 February, 2009
As the government horsetraded with Senator Xenophon to bring forward the purchase of water allocations for the Darling and Murray Rivers, Australia’s largest agribusines, ICM, was girding its legal loins for battle over the price of water on the Lachlan River. Opeartior of a large citrus orchard, grain, pulse and cotton farms on the Lacklan River, ICM Australia claims that the compensation paid under the Acheivable Sustainable Groundwater Entitlements scheme are well short of the “just terms” required by the Constitution.
admin /8 February, 2009
Farmers have applauded a research breakthrough by Australian scientists linking temperatures in the Indian Ocean and rainfall in the southeastern states of Australia.
The researchers believe they have discovered what drives a crippling drought.
They have detailed for the first time how a variable and irregular cycle of warming and cooling of ocean water dictates whether moisture-bearing winds are carried across the southern half of Australia.
admin /7 February, 2009
The Rees government is set to replicate the planning errors of Sydney’s desalination plant by imposing an expensive and unnecessary water supply project on Newcastle residents, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
Commenting on a story in today’s Sydney Morning Herald (‘Build and be dammed’), Dr Kaye said: “The $406 million dam at Tillegra near Dungog is set to become a monument to poor decision making.
admin /7 February, 2009
Water restrictions have been eased this weekend so children can play under garden sprinklers during the current heatwave. The state government has relaxed level three water restrictions across the Sydney, Illawarra and Blue Mountains region, allowing sprinklers to be turned on outside prohibited hours on Saturday and on Sunday. Weekend temperatures are expected to soar Continue Reading →
admin /29 January, 2009
From The Land GROUNDWATER irrigators are fuming that their industry is again under scrutiny. Federal Water Minister Penny Wong a week ago turned her sights on the sector following a report by the CSIRO released late last year that said extraction in seven NSW and Queensland areas was “unsustainable”. “In Australia’s water management, groundwater has Continue Reading →
admin /29 January, 2009
From The Land AUSTRALIA’S largest private irrigation company has stepped into the water market to become the protector of the southern irrigation region. Murray Irrigation Limited (MIL), based at Deniliquin, is in the midst of launching two major initiatives aimed at keeping water in the Murray Valley irrigation region around Deniliquin, Finley, Berrigan and Wakool. Continue Reading →
