The individuals who signed a so-called ‘Murray-Darling Declaration’ calling for changes to the Basin Plan make some good points which deserve further consideration.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
An environmentally healthy working Basin is in the interests of all Australians and is certainly the priority for virtually all its residents. I was surprised the ‘group’ does not place more emphasis on achieving this aspiration, for the benefit of their fellow mankind.
That being as it is, I offer my support and comment on some of the issues that have been raised:
- Stop further expenditure on irrigation infrastructure: I’m not sure we really want to stop projects that save water, however if this was to take place the money could be channelled into ‘end of system’ infrastructure, which for some inexplicable reason has been ignored.
- Audit all water recovery: This is essential. Latest scientific reports, including CSIRO, question many aspects of water recovery so far under the Basin Plan, including the modelling on which recovery targets were based. Much of the modelling was undertaken during the Millennium Drought which, as the studies are now showing, was not a true indication of the Basin’s health or history.
- Establish an independent expert advisory body: The ‘group’ suggests this should be a ‘scientific’ body. I would make it be broader and truly representative of our nation’s interests in achieving a healthy, working Basin that supports regional communities, puts food on the tables of our city cousins and feeds billions of people throughout the world.
RELATED
I look forward to the ‘group’ endorsing my actions which would benefit the Basin, my fellow Australians and billions of starving people throughout the world who I believe our nation should support.
Daryl McDonald, Speak Up Campaign.
Amar Jit speaking for Sikh community
This refers to the report in The Area News – Terra Ag outcome (February 5, 2018).
People in the church often ask me what is the difference between the Sikh Temple and a church. My reply to them is both are homes of God. In the church we praise Almighty God by singing hymns in English. In the Sikh Temple we praise the Almighty God by singing hymns in Punjabi. The content of the hymns is almost the same. For example they praise God in the church by singing a hymn … So the Sikh Temple is also a home of God and should be treated as such. Bill Lancaster is correct when he says the proposition of the Thorne Road site-while slightly more preferable-- does not ease all concerns. The common Sikh people feel that the foul winds will still be coming towards the Sikh Temple. We request the people of Griffith to help us solve this problem peacefully through mutual consultations and conciliation.
Amar Jit Singh, Griffith.
Summer
Summer in Australia creates visions of beaches, rivers, cricket and tennis.
But it also brings flies and mosquitoes and long days of relentless heat as the sun shines over the country.
Temperatures rise until everything begins to wilt in the heat and it almost feels like I'm suffocating.
Occasionally we see little fluffy clouds move lethargically across the sky and hope that more will appear to block out the heat and maybe create a shower of rain to cool things down. But this can have the opposite effect and make the conditions very humid as well as hot.
The sheep and cattle walk aimlessly in the paddocks searching for some shade and we also need to watch our pets to ensure they have plenty of water and shade.
Out of the four seasons, this is my least favourite and as the long hot days drag on I tell myself it is one day closer to winter.
Wendy Sweeny, Griffith.