Are these Crops Sustainable?

With the amount of water that is being captured at the head waters of the Murray Darling Basin one has to question the sustainability of these crops for the Australian Environment. Perhaps Rice should be moved to some of the cane growing areas and grown in the traditional methods utilising rainfall rather than relying on irrigation water.Both crops need large quantities of water for survival and seem inappropriate to me.

Please read the attached article and vote in my new poll.I am interested in your thoughts.

Green light for Murray-Darling management bill

So now the Bill has passed and according to Penny Wong "We will get on with the work of making sure that authority is up and running, so we can start the important work of preparing the first ever basin-wide plan which will include for the first time a cap based on science."

I guess my concern remains as to the undoing of the illegal levies etc that have been reported on. The over allocation that has gone on under State Government controls. It would seem to me that there is not a lot of time to procrastinate here and would ask the Federal Government moves much faster to ensure an equitable solution for all while the longer term plan is laid out.

Victoria passes Murray-Darling Bill

At last the Victorians have handed over their constitutional rights to control the Murray Darling basin to the Federal Government.They are the last State to do so.

This article goes to some pains to talk about the controversy over the North South Pipeline and I remain unsure as to what I think.

The wasted water as displayed in the pictures in the next blog down tell me that there is a huge opportunity to improve irrigation practices in Victoria and this almost needs to be a priority in that State.

Talk about infrastructure spending to bolster the economy then lets start instantly on converting the hundreds of kilometres of open channels to pipes and insist that irrigators improve practices with low throw sprinklers and drippers.

The River can be saved but prompt action is essential.

I would still be interested in you view on the North South Pipeline, please Vote in my Poll

Vics want our help to take River Murray water

Amazing headline really.Click on the title of this blog article and read the amazing story.

I find it amazing because I understand what they are saying and still not sure of my opinion of the North South Pipeline. So if you have not voted in the poll alongside please do now.

What I find amazing is when there is a complete thumbing of the nose as to implementing best practice in irrigation techniques why? Why would we want to?

The photos at this album are worth a look. The photo I have put in this article was one of many taken on a forty degree heat day in 30 to 40 knot wind. Stop this blatant waste and I might even become a little bit sympathetic.

Irrigation channels set to water wetlands

The article connected to this heading is about the open Channels in New South Wales, and makes the point very clearly how viewing from the air highlights the vast network of Channels across NSW. The attached photo is of channels in the Murray-Goulbourn of Victoria which boasts an equally vast network of channels.

The conservationists are asking that these channels be used to supply wetlands.

I ask one thing contemplate the wastage from evaporation and seepage of this vast network of open Channels. Then add up the seepage and evaporation from the vast dams that have been established on Cubbie Station and the like.

When are we going to see this absolute disgusting waste of this precious reserve by at a minimum putting these Channels into Pipes - imagine the savings that this would give back to the River system. You know in South Australia these channels disappeared about thirty years ago why have the upstream states not taken stronger action to fix this problem years ago.

Please do not forget to vote on the amendment to the Murray Darling Bill alongside of this post.

Oppn, Greens move to stop North-South pipeline

So the Senate has amended the Bill to take over the Murray-Darling Basin by adding a veto of the Victorian North South Pipeline.

I am not sure what I think on this and am very concerned that it will simply delay a process that is already long overdue. Until the Federal Government can get control an evenhanded approach to the whole disaster seems miles away.

I am very interested in the views of the community on this issue.Please join my Poll and Vote.

Australia: Nothing new in Wong's Murray Darling report

How can this continue. The Headwaters of the system are not being allowed to flow. All water is being captured and the Rivers blocked by open storage that simply is being greedy and selfish. The whole economy and eco-system is at threat and all we do is rewrite yet another report.

Allow the Rivers to run and take control of massive over allocation and off River Storage of the huge stations in Queensland.

Read the link attached to this heading.

Please, please act now