Weekly Water News - 27th February |

Weekly Water News - 27th February

March 2nd, 2009

Featured Story: How Can We Avoid A World Without Water?

With droughts from California to China threatening food production, one man has the solution we need to head off a global crisis. Read this interview with Peter Gleick, founder and president of the Pacific Institute, and one of the world’s leading water experts, to find out more about his vision.

National News Round-Up

EPA investigates creek contamination from Mt Isa mine. The Mount Isa City Council says its working with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to monitor an overflow of contaminated water local mines which have had a major impact on two creeks in north-west Queensland. Scenic Rim Council approves recycled water pipeline. Farmers near the Logan River in southern Queensland’s Scenic Rim region will soon have a guaranteed water supply. Tiwi Islands coastal submissions closing.The Tiwi Land Council is calling for final submissions on the management of coastal waters around the Tiwi Islands. Desalination plant proposed near Albany. The Water Corporation has identified two locations near Albany, on Western Australia’s south coast, as potential sites for a desalination plant.

Traveston dam money should be spent elsewhere: opponents.Opponents to the proposed Traveston Crossing dam in Queensland say they will be actively campaigning against the project in the lead up to next month’s state election. Smooth start for Tugun Desalination Plant. The south-east Queensland Water Grid Manager says the first day of operation for the Tugun Desalination Plant went smoothly. Council worried about Spencer Gulf contamination. There is concern at Port Augusta in SA about contamination reaching Spencer Gulf with the EPA’s knowledge.

Red river gums’ demise blamed on management, not rainfall.There’s more evidence that the demise of some of Australia’s rivers is causing wider environmental damage. Nymagee groundwater tank to be expanded. The Cobar council will call expressions of interest this week for companies to expand a groundwater tank in a village that has run out of water. Government action on Toorale too slow: action group. The secretary of the Murray-Darling Action Group, Barney Stevens, says the New South Wales Government should have acted faster to release water from dams on Toorale Station.

All ready for desal work to start.South Australia’s governor has signed the go-ahead for construction of Adelaide’s $1.4 billion desalination plant. Report urges water treatment review. A report to the Rockhampton Regional Council has recommended a review of all its water treatment facilities, after water contamination was found in The Caves area on the central Queensland coast. Qld poll delays key Murray-Darling appointments. Four appointments to the MDBA are imminent, but some need Queensland approval, which cannot happen while the government there is in caretaker mode for the state poll. SARDI says Loxton water research safe. South Australia’s Research and Development Institute (SARDI) says it has no plan to close the Loxton Research Centre in the Riverland.

Deadline looms for carryover water applications. The Central Irrigation Trust is encouraging Riverland residents to get their carryover water applications in, before the trust’s deadline. QWC rules out Sun Coast for second desalination plant.The Queensland Water Commission (QWC) has ruled out Kawana on the Sunshine Coast in the state’s south-east as a possible site for a second desalination plant. Torrens needs 100mm of rainfall: bureau A forecaster says 100mm of rain is needed for Adelaide’s Torrens to see normal flow restored.

Gunnedah prefers smaller water co-op plan.The Gunnedah Shire Council says it would prefer to form a co-operative with the Liverpool Plains Shire Council to jointly manage its water and sewerage utilities. North-South Pipeline construction resumes. Work on the controversial North-South Pipeline is resuming this week, after the bushfires halted construction. Goulburn councillors rethink pipeline plan. The Goulburn Mulwaree Council has backflipped on a $50 million plan to secure the area’s water supply.

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