Drought proofing the central west: NSW Gov’t
The NSW Government is investing $22 million to make the Parkes/Peak Hill Water Supply Project a reality and to help future proof the region’s water supply ... the $61.7 million major infrastructure project will strengthen water security for the shire and bolster the region’s drought resilience by creating a new raw water supply network for residents and businesses.: Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole
Underwater drone inspects Tweed’s water reservoirs – New drone technology saving Council time and money
Drone technology is being used to inspect the Tweed’s 40 water reservoirs, saving Council time and money. The new technology has been introduced in recent weeks as a way to more easily scan for information about the structure and quality of the water held in each reservoir ... “We can now conduct inspections of the reservoirs ourselves, on the ground, straight away and at very low cost,”: Water and Wastewater operations manager Brie Jowett
Labor’s latest political appointment spells trouble for the Murray-Darling Basin: Centofanti and Whetstone
Mr Beasley’s divisive and abrasive approach to the River Murray is illustrated in his 2021 book, Dead In The Water ... "A successful advocacy role in the Murray-Darling Basin requires having the confidence of the Basin communities – which include irrigators, other businesses, and the public. I’m not convinced that appointing a Sydney lawyer, who believes water buybacks are the only way forward, will wash with these communities" : Opposition Minister for Water Resources and the River Murray Nicola Centofanti.
Prominent barrister named first SA Commissioner for the River Murray: Close
Prominent barrister and author, Richard Beasley SC, has been appointed South Australia’s Commissioner for the River Murray ... "Having a Commissioner for the River Murray sends a clear message to upstream states that South Australia is serious about defending its water rights, including the 450 gigalitres promised but not delivered": SA Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, Susan Close MP
Ultimate authority
There has been much said about the Murray-Darling Basin Authority over the 10 years of Basin Plan implementation ... The latest attempt by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority to justify the hydraulic land clearing and loss of capacity of the Murray River needs to be called out for what it is – mismanagement in breach of the 2007 Water Act.
Reconnecting River Country Program
A plan to have community at the forefront of co-design was the feature of Western Murray Land Improvement Group’s (WMLIG) Reconnecting River Country Program (RRCP) Wakool presentation ... During the night, attendees were walked through the RRCP mapping tool. The maps are generated through computer modelling for various flow options from 15,000 megalitres per day up to 40,000ML/D.
Mildura Weir to be removed to make way for high river flows: MDBA, GMW
The Mildura weir will be temporarily removed to allow high Murray River flows to pass through, the Murray–Darling Basin Authority and Goulburn-Murray Water announced. MDBA Executive Director of River Management Andrew Reynolds said the weir needed to be removed ahead of increased flows expected to arrive by mid-September.
Labor must take community views on EP desalination plant seriously: Telfer, Centofanti
Labor will put the future of the Eyre Peninsula at risk if it does not seriously consider the recommendations of the independent Eyre Peninsula Desalination Plant Site Selection Committee ... At the time the Committee was formed, there were serious environmental and economic concerns raised by industry and the local community about the proposed plant location at Billy Lights Point.
TRC, LGI inspect cost-saving generator for energy re-use at Wetalla wastewater treatment plant
Toowoomba Regional Council’s ambitious and cost-saving plan to power most of the city’s wastewater treatment plant with gas captured from the city’s nearby landfill is a step closer to reality ... Cr Sommerfield said the energy re-use project would allow the gas-fired generator to supply up to 70% of the power to run the Wetalla Water Reclamation Facility, along with ongoing environmental benefits.
Water collaborative calls for recycled water to boost economy
The Lockyer Valley and Somerset Water Collaborative is calling on the State Government to release the available supply of untapped recycled water to ensure water and food security for Australia’s Salad Bowl, preventing future supply being imported canned vegetables.
Wagga MP wants dam levels limited to 80%
A Wagga MP is calling on the government to limit levels at Blowering and Burrinjuck Dams to 80 per cent, amid the threat of ongoing flooding for communities. Member for Wagga Dr Joe McGirr said farmers and landowners had spent long and frustrating hours of work moving stock and preparing their properties for floods and face the prospect of the situation repeating in coming months.
Barmah-Millewa future flow options prepared for feasibility study: MDBA
Six potential options that could address the declining regulated flow through the Barmah–Millewa reach of the Murray River have been detailed in a report released by the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) ... Capacity through the Barmah–Millewa reach has been reduced from 11,300 megalitres per day in the 1980s to 9,200 megalitres per day today.
Crews detect water leaks by listening
Hard-to-detect leaks will be found without excavation works or loss of water supply ... expert technicians will be hunting for water leaks throughout more than 600km of the Tweed’s water supply pipes ... Aqua Analytics will use advanced acoustic technology to pinpoint leaking water in about 85% of the supply network pipes ...
Naracoorte Creek in the news
Sheryl Lowe. Passionate about nature and the natural flow of waterways, local retired farmer Mr Peter "Huck” Shepherd presented his findings about the potential flooding of the Naracoorte Creek and the possible damage to buildings, businesses and homes in the lower lying areas of the town, to the Naracoorte Lucindale Council meeting ... “If I were to give a rating on the creek’s wellbeing and capacity to handle a decent flood and observing the mess it is in and the lack of maintenance since the 2000 report, out of a ten rating I would give it a minus 5,” he told council.
2022–23 Murray River outlook dominated by managing wet conditions: MDBA
Full water storages coupled with a 50% chance of another La Niña in 2022–23 are driving management strategies in the River Murray System for the year ahead, according to the MDBA's 2022–23 Annual Operating Outlook ... Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) Executive Director of River Management, Andrew Reynolds, said the Annual Operating Outlook explains how the river would be run based on a range of potential climatic and rainfall scenarios.
Voices for the Bush amplified in Alice Springs this week
Australian Water Association (AWA) and Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) are excited to present the first-ever Voices for the Bush Conference at the Alice Springs Convention Centre this week on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 August. The conference will bring together over 200 water professionals from across Australia to the country’s heart. Together they will resolve the challenges faced by regional, rural, remote and Indigenous communities.
Council talks stormwater funding
The Narrandera Shire Council has agreed to increase its 2022-23 borrowing bid to the Office of Local Government and NSW Treasury from $2 million to $3 million to enable it to undertake stormwater infrastructure works in urban Narrandera. The works are aimed at solving severe flooding that occurred in the town earlier this year.
Licensing, legalities and loonies
Water politics in Australia’s $13 billion political plan to save the Murray-Darling Basin is rapidly deteriorating as political drivers rip apart what remains of meaningful engagement, sustainable water industries and communities reliant on a balanced plan. Despite all the promises and shiny beads, sadly, politics and bureaucracy show little interest in change.
Hard truths from WESA should prompt rethink on 450GL: NFF
Australia’s peak farm body says the release of the Second Water for the Environment Special Account (WESA) Report should prompt a major rethink of the Australian Government’s policy of recovering an additional 450GL under the Murray Darling Basin Plan. National Farmers’ Federation President Fiona Simson said the findings provide Water Minister Tanya Plibersek the opportunity to reset the Government’s approach, and to focus on achievable pathways to realise environmental outcomes.
Export success brings water to Indian farms, jobs to Shepparton
Victorian irrigation innovator Rubicon Water is maximising water use on farms from the Murray Darling to India and beyond, driving jobs growth at its key Shepparton base ... In Karnataka, the Rubicon Water system manages the water supply to more than 400,000 hectares of farmland through 1,250 kilometres of canals.
Labor walking away from River Murray election commitments already: Centofanti
The Labor Party has already begun walking away from its pre-election commitment to deliver the Murray Darling Basin Plan in full and on time in hypocritical revelations from the new Federal Water Minister ... Fast forward a few weeks to the first sitting week of Federal Parliament and Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek is already saying she is open to delaying the 2024 deadline which would break an election promise.
Certainty for the environment, farmers and water users: Anderson, Griffin
There is more certainty for farmers and the environment after the NSW Government’s licensing and measurement reform became law in Water Sharing Plans for the Border Rivers and Gwydir Valleys. Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson and Minister for Environment James Griffin have approved changes to the Border Rivers, Gwydir and Macquarie Water Sharing Plans.
