Talking Water – Kwatye Angkeme: A campaign to address Alice Springs’ water future
Tracy Jones, Desert Knowledge Australia. A group of local organisations and independent parties have joined forces in Alice Springs, NT, with the support of the Northern Territory Government, to address the town’s water future. The Talking Water Collective delivered a short, intense campaign during October-November 2021 to prompt awareness and build stewardship around the town’s water security, sharing key facts about water resources and consumption, and contributing to the NT's Strategic Water Plan.
Basin brimming with hope
After being nearly empty in early 2020, there’s been a remarkable turnaround in Murray–Darling Basin water storages following widespread rain throughout 2021, resulting in better water availability for towns, industries and the environment, and good cropping prospects in 2022.
153,000 trees planted at Wivenhoe Dam to increase koala habitat and water quality
Koala habitat will be increased and water quality improved with the planting of 153,000 trees along Wivenhoe Dam to rehabilitate former grazing land ... The trees have been planted at seven sites on former grazing land and include eucalypts like Queensland blue gum, ironbarks, bloodwoods and grey gums, as well as rough-barked apple, river she-oak, and black tea-tree.
Research uncovers the sound of water along the Murrumbidgee
Geographical location is no barrier in experiencing the sounds of the Murrumbidgee wetlands, thanks to Charles Sturt University researchers ... To celebrate World Wetlands Day on Wednesday 2 February, researchers are presenting the public with the opportunity to eavesdrop on the sounds of the Murrumbidgee wetlands.
Policy puts the brakes on biofouling
International ships arriving in Australian waters will see a change in how they manage biofouling in 2022. DAWE Deputy Secretary Andrew Tongue said a change in biofouling policy would have flow-on effects for international shipping.
Best tap water in Australia is in”¦? (take a guess)
If you think the water tastes good in Casino, you’d be spot on. Known more for its beef, Casino is officially home to Australia’s best tap water. Richmond Valley Council has won top honours in the Ixom 2021 Best Tasting Tap Water in Australia competition.
Community spirit ensures permanent fire water
Chris Oldfield. Lucindale will never run out of fire water again thanks to a group of local farmers, backed by Naracoorte businesses, Rotary and Lions Clubs. A tank of around 100,000 litres boasts a fully equipped bore, offering a permanent water supply to protect the area. It is just over a year since Lucindale ran out of water fighting the January 11, 2021, Blackford fire.
Keep the dam gate open
A number of Baringhup residents are concerned about the possibility of Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) closing the embankment at Cairn Curran Reservoir and the surrounding picnic and swimming areas. Local resident, Kerrie Jennings told the Tarrangower Times, “It would be good to achieve some clarification from GMW on their current proposal and reasoning. Also, are GMW truly open to local community input, and should we lose a much-loved part of Cairn Curran, is there an alternative visitor plan within an acceptable timeframe?”
NSW Cabinet reshuffle
NSW food producers and irrigation companies are looking forward to working collaboratively with a number of new Ministers, announced by the NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet on Monday 20 December 2021. Murray Irrigation Chair, Steve Fawns said, ‘there are numerous Ministers who have responsibility for issues that fall under the operations of Murray Irrigation, and it is important to develop positive working relationships with each one’.
Hume Dam releases increase to manage summer storm activity
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority has increased the amount of water released from Hume Dam to 17 gigalitres per day to manage inflows from Upper Murray catchments. Hume Dam is effectively full, at 99% capacity.
FPH regulation tabled
Just two days after the NSW Upper House enquiry into floodplain harvesting, NSW Water Minister, Melinda Pavey, tabled another attempt in parliament to pass floodplain harvesting regulation. The bold move by the NSW National Party was taken despite the ink being barely dry on the consultation that sought to address the end of system flow target for the Darling Baaka, licensing to the legislated legal limit, and to maintain volumes and entitlements within existing SDLs.
Don’t risk your life relying on scheme water during a bushfire
Water Corporation is reminding Perth and Peel residents not to rely on scheme water supply during a bushfire, as another challenging southern fire season is forecast for coastal WA. Power outage, heat-damaged infrastructure and high demand can all result in a rapid loss of water pressure or supply.
Progress needed on floodplain harvesting
A Parliamentary Committee has detailed a number of ways to reform floodplain harvesting in NSW. NSW Farmers President James Jackson said even small steps towards evidence-based regulation of floodplain harvesting were better than the uncertainty surrounding the issue at present.
New partnership for rehydration and restoration
Community Landcare representative organisation, National Landcare Network, is pleased to announce it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with leading agricultural research, education and advocacy organisation, the Mulloon Institute. The MoU will deliver ‘Catchment Scale Restoration and Rehydration Pilots’ across the country.
Singleton Station water licence subject to changes in conditions
Following the Water Resources Review Panel’s assessment of the Singleton Station water licence, the Minister for Territory Families and Urban Housing (as delegate for the Minister for Water Security) has announced that an amended water extraction licence has been granted for Fortune Agribusiness with some new and modified conditions ... Under the revised water licence, Fortune Agribusiness is required to carry out further hydrogeological investigation of the water resources at the site of the planned bore field, and also complete an impact assessment of groundwater extraction on identified groundwater dependent cultural values.
Merv in Moulamein
Moulamein was graced by fishing royalty at the weekend. Merv Hughes, former Australian cricketer and host of Merv’s Fishing, accompanied by Squizzy Taylor, was on the water filming in the region with the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder and Department of Primary Industry and Investment to showcase the benefits of environmental water.
Film night educates about Territory’s water issues
Arid Lands Environment Centre (ALEC) and the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) were in town to talk with interested community members about water issues affecting the region, in particular, the Singleton Station water license decision.
Water security and Dunoon Dam: Richmond Valley Council candidates respond
We asked the 18 Richmond Valley Council candidates about water. There has been much heated debate about the Dunoon Dam expansion, tapping into groundwater and using recycled water. Here’s what the candidates said.
On the road to recovery: Finish delivers water tanks to Aussie farmers impacted by drought
A Victorian farmer has received a donation of a critical 22,500L tank and water to help assist in the recovery from drought thanks to the #FinishWaterWaste initiative. Almost half of Australia’s farms are serviced by the Murray-Darling Basin’s Victorian waterways, including dairy farmer Fiona Rourke’s property near Shepparton.
Council opposes SA Water’s desalination plant location
The immediate need for the development of a Desalination Plant on the Eyre Peninsula was fully supported by the District Council of Cleve at its November Council meeting. However, the Council also decided that it does not support SA Water’s proposed location of Billy Light’s Point in Boston Bay, Port Lincoln.
Book review – Sold Down the River
An in-depth review of an excellent, timely and well-written book. Sold Down The River is really a text book on water trading for the uninitiated which sums up the tragedy of the Murray-Darling created by successive governments of all persuasions. Highly recommended.
Precious water from the air
Geoff Helisma. In Grafton on Sunday and Monday, November 14 and 15, Armen Arakelian (CEO) and Will Jefferies (director), from Clean Waters Oceania exhibited a machine, manufactured by Israeli company Watergen, that “uses condensation as a means of producing fresh water”. Watergen says it has “become the global leader in the atmospheric drinking water devices market”.
