Water has always been a volatile topic in Australia, the world's driest inhabited continent, but the political row that broke out last week was perhaps surprising. Protesters are complaining that a planned desalination facility outside Melbourne, … [Read more...] about Climate Change, Growing Populations and Political Concerns are Prompting a Fresh Look at Desalination
Drought
Beyond Media Headlines: The Key Issues for the Macquarie Marshes
Media reports yesterday** correctly drew attention to the fact that there are levy banks within the Macquarie Marshes and that they are depriving key wetland areas of water. But the stories went on to lump upstream legal and planned irrigation … [Read more...] about Beyond Media Headlines: The Key Issues for the Macquarie Marshes
Murray River Tributary Reduced to Billabongs
While the Murray River is flowing strongly despite the drought, many of its tributaries are drying up. Yesterday I visited the Wakool River with Wakool Landholders Association Chairman John Lolicato. He showed me a spot downstream of Gee Gee bridge … [Read more...] about Murray River Tributary Reduced to Billabongs
Rain Misses Murray-Darling Catchment
The heavy rain which has fallen across southern Australia in the past few days and caused flooding in parts of Victoria, has hardly made a dent in the record low storage levels of the Murray-Darling system. ABC News: 'Murray-Darling still in trouble … [Read more...] about Rain Misses Murray-Darling Catchment
Rain Fails to Boost Confidence in the Future of Farming
Rain may have fallen over parts of south-eastern Australia over the weekend - in some places to the point of flooding - but the confidence of farmers in the future of their businesses has fallen to its lowest level this year, results from Westpac and … [Read more...] about Rain Fails to Boost Confidence in the Future of Farming
Drought and the ’07 Election
The Coalition will not fund future drought preparedness measures as part of its agricultural election policy, due out in a fortnight, but will stick with its existing drought assistance measures despite calls for change from State Governments and the … [Read more...] about Drought and the ’07 Election
Jennifer Marohasy BSc PhD has worked in industry and government. She is currently researching a novel technique for long-range weather forecasting funded by the B. Macfie Family Foundation.