Water, our greatest challenge! January 2007 RETURN
All types of property are in some way affected by water. Its usage and policy guidelines form one of the most important issues we have witnessed in business life. With now most areas of Victoria in some form of water restrictions we are having our lifestyles altered in sometimes dramatic fashion. Getting a consistent picture for our future of water practices is near impossible. The inconsistencies are caused by the most complex of circumstances.
Getting a consistent picture for our future of water practices is near impossible. The inconsistencies are caused by the most complex of circumstances. This year mixed reports have stated: Domestic use forms 8% of Victorian total yet 60% of the city supply; 77% is used for irrigation yet unused allocations can be traded or on sold; We have a publicly owned supply yet Macquarie Bank and other infrastructure funds are stakeholders; The Murray River system is a feast & famine type and has a natural drought cycle yet the Barmah Forest had gigalitres of precious water flushed through it by government intervention during a drought last year . Our metropolitan population will double from to 1970’s to 2010 yet we have had no significant investments in water supply infrastructure since the 1960’s. Individual property owners have hundreds of $millions to face in total for repairs from ground shrinkage and the likely hood of their values dropping due to presentation issues from both the faults and their gardens disappearing. The government suggests all must get used to severe restrictions yet it only seems the common man, sporting clubs and car yard owners have to bear the brunt. As Managers of many commercial business premises we are yet to have one business notified of any changes to usage.
Government & Commercial areas have massive opportunity to provide savings if held responsible. Some glaring examples exist that governments have yet to have a correct balance of burden and it is reported: The State government had a 25% increase in usage over the past year, in fact an extra 137 million litres . The Flemington Racecourse sprays massive amounts of fresh mains water to control dust during the extensive works for track renovations. The same wasteful practice is used on the Scoresby by-pass project. Millions of litres of water are regularly pumped into the Domain Tunnel system for it to function properly.
Whilst we applaud sensible domestic water saving initiatives it seems the common man is being held responsible to save the drought almost single handedly while there are far more effective and lasting solutions at hand. Public opinion is now strongly in favour of our governments making sensible investment in water supply, as this is now an obvious and far reaching dilemma that will effect generations to come. Australia may be a dry continent yet Victoria on its own is far from it and should not have to live as a third world country.
We can no longer tolerate government failure to invest in initiatives such as dams, desalination, the piping of irrigation canals to prevent evaporation, bringing requirements for industry and farming efficiencies & by considering cropping styles such as preventing water hungry production of rice & cotton etc in arid areas.
Water must now be treated in an Australia wide, comprehensive manner by a body with both State and Federal representation and importantly the infrastructure must remain as a public asset.
All types of property are in some way affected by water. Its usage and policy guidelines form one of the most important issues we have witnessed in business life. With now most areas of Victoria in some form of water restrictions we are having our lifestyles altered in sometimes dramatic fashion. Getting a consistent picture for our future of water practices is near impossible. The inconsistencies are caused by the most complex of circumstances.
Getting a consistent picture for our future of water practices is near impossible. The inconsistencies are caused by the most complex of circumstances. This year mixed reports have stated: Domestic use forms 8% of Victorian total yet 60% of the city supply; 77% is used for irrigation yet unused allocations can be traded or on sold; We have a publicly owned supply yet Macquarie Bank and other infrastructure funds are stakeholders; The Murray River system is a feast & famine type and has a natural drought cycle yet the Barmah Forest had gigalitres of precious water flushed through it by government intervention during a drought last year . Our metropolitan population will double from to 1970’s to 2010 yet we have had no significant investments in water supply infrastructure since the 1960’s. Individual property owners have hundreds of $millions to face in total for repairs from ground shrinkage and the likely hood of their values dropping due to presentation issues from both the faults and their gardens disappearing. The government suggests all must get used to severe restrictions yet it only seems the common man, sporting clubs and car yard owners have to bear the brunt. As Managers of many commercial business premises we are yet to have one business notified of any changes to usage.
Government & Commercial areas have massive opportunity to provide savings if held responsible. Some glaring examples exist that governments have yet to have a correct balance of burden and it is reported: The State government had a 25% increase in usage over the past year, in fact an extra 137 million litres . The Flemington Racecourse sprays massive amounts of fresh mains water to control dust during the extensive works for track renovations. The same wasteful practice is used on the Scoresby by-pass project. Millions of litres of water are regularly pumped into the Domain Tunnel system for it to function properly.
Whilst we applaud sensible domestic water saving initiatives it seems the common man is being held responsible to save the drought almost single handedly while there are far more effective and lasting solutions at hand. Public opinion is now strongly in favour of our governments making sensible investment in water supply, as this is now an obvious and far reaching dilemma that will effect generations to come. Australia may be a dry continent yet Victoria on its own is far from it and should not have to live as a third world country.
We can no longer tolerate government failure to invest in initiatives such as dams, desalination, the piping of irrigation canals to prevent evaporation, bringing requirements for industry and farming efficiencies & by considering cropping styles such as preventing water hungry production of rice & cotton etc in arid areas.
Water must now be treated in an Australia wide, comprehensive manner by a body with both State and Federal representation and importantly the infrastructure must remain as a public asset.