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Darren E
Joined: 04 May 2006
Posts: 2075
Location: Dagun, Qld
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 Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:37 am Post subject: Senator Penny Wong - Water for the Future |
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Yesterday, Tuesday 29th April 2008, the Australian Federal Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, addressed the 4th Annual Australian Water Summit at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.
A copy of her speech can be downloaded from http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/wong/2008/pubs/sp20080429.pdf , and I would suggest that it is well worth a read.
Below are a few excerpts (highlighting is mine):
From the Introduction
| Quote: | Water for the Future is built on four key priorities that integrate what all levels of government should be striving to achieve in the area of water:
· taking action on climate change,
· using water wisely,
· securing water supplies; and
· supporting healthy rivers.
Climate change is a major threat – for much of Australia it means more droughts and less rain.
The rapidly emerging threat of climate change, with its inherent uncertainties and risks, is something that we must plan for and manage.
As a nation, we have not had a Federal Government alive to these threats until now.
Instead, we have been taking too much water from our rivers and aquifers – particularly in the Murray Darling Basin.
We can, and we must, make better use of our available water resources. This means improved efficiency and productivity of water use, and better use of water markets to optimise the economic benefits that water brings.
In our towns and cities, we must secure water supplies for current and future needs, including from a range of new sources that rely less on rainfall given the clear threat climate change poses to traditional water sources. |
From "Taking Action on Climate Change"
| Quote: | | The most pressing challenge is to ensure all Australian governments are responding to the impacts of climate change on our water supplies and the health of our rivers. |
From "Using Water Wisely"
| Quote: | For several years now, Australian households have shown a remarkable community spirit in adapting to water restrictions and helping to conserve our water resources.
However, we can do more to use water wisely. Water for the Future includes a $250 million commitment to a National Greywater and Rainwater Initiative.
Through direct incentives for household rainwater and greywater use, this program supports the very many Australians who are prepared to take personal responsibility for conserving our drinking water supplies. |
From "Securing New Water Supplies"
| Quote: | The third key priority is to secure water supplies for our towns and cities – a problem of matching growing water needs to declining traditional water resources.
Brisbane is currently experiencing its worst drought in more than 100 years, with five consecutive low-rainfall years and water storages now at just 38 per cent of capacity. As a result, Level 6 water restrictions are now in place. Most other capital cities – Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra –have also been facing serious water shortages.
Whilst traditional water supplies are declining, many of our towns and cities continue to grow. By 2050, it is estimated that Australia’s current population of 21 million will have increased to 33 million.
This is why a key element of Water for the Future is to work with the States to develop new sources of water that do not rely entirely on rainfall.
The Rudd Government will work with states and territories to develop new water sources, and on a range of other strategies that help to secure future water supplies.
As part of our election commitments on water, the Government will invest in a $1 billion ‘Urban Water and Desalination Program’.
By working with state and local governments and the private sector, this Program will provide funding towards new and innovative water supply projects in desalination, recycled water and stormwater harvesting in areas with a population of 50,000 people or more. |
From "Healthy Rivers"
| Quote: | I would now like to move onto our final water priority – healthy rivers.
Australia’s rivers and wetlands serve many functions and support many values – economic, environmental and cultural.
For too long, we have treated our rivers and groundwater systems as ‘magic puddings’; as limitless supplies of water. Nowhere is this more the case than in the Murray Darling – our largest and most important river system. Quite simply we have been taking too much water out of the Basin for far too long. We have overdrawn the Murray and now we need to restore the balance.
The signs of decline are obvious to all, and the need to address it is urgent.
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This problem is not unique to the Murray Darling – it’s a problem that exists in other rivers, too.
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There is an awful lot in there about "new water sources that do not rely on rainfall". Commitments to invest in stormwater harvesting, recycling, rainwater tanks, and desalination.
The only mention of dams is regarding "declining traditional sources of water".
This is an encouraging policy speech. Not the sort of speech one would give right before approving, say, an ill-conceived mega-dam in a globally unique bio-diverse river system.
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"There can be no liberty for a community which lacks the means by which to detect lies" - Walter Lippman |
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