Drought, rivers and water resources

Scientists set benchmark for Basin planLink to full story

ACF

A group of Australia’s leading water scientists has released an independent statement setting out what the Murray-Darling Basin Plan must achieve to secure a sustainable future for the severely degraded ecological assets of the Basin

Sunshine Coast enjoys abundance of waterLink to full story

Sunshine Coast Daily

While so much of Australia is suffering from drought, the Sunshine Coast has an oversupply of water with most dams at near capacity and two overflowing after heavy recent rains. The situation may cast Queensland’s water management plans in a new light.

Queensland water pipeline project beginsLink to full story

ABC News

The recently approved Sunshine Coast stage of Queensland’s controversial $450 million Northern Pipeline Interconnector will begin this week and be completed in early 2011, according to the construction company that won the contract.

ACF welcomes recommendations for NT developmentLink to full story

Australian Conservation Foundation

The Australian Conservation Foundation has welcomed a new report from the Northern Australia Land & Water Taskforce recommending against inappropriate large-scale agriculture development due to historically poor rainfalls. “Expanding agriculture would be a major threat to the globally unique natural and cultural features of the region,” warned ACF Executive Director Don Henry.

Snowy River to receive environmental flows boostLink to full story

ABC News

The New South Wales Government has announced that new environmental flows will be released into the Snowy River this week in a bid to aid river ecosystems and improve overall water quality.

Greens call for independent rivers authorityLink to full story

The Greens

The Greens have welcomed the deicision to release 148 gigalitres of water from NSW to the lower Murray River and Lower Lakes, but are accusing the Federal Government of doing little to solve the conflict between states over how much water would be released to the bottom end of the river.  In a media release, Senator Hanson Young has said that “Kevin Rudd must establish - as soon as possible - a national independent authority with the powers to make decisions in the best interests of the river, regardless of state vetos.”

North-south pipeline for noughtLink to full story

The Age

New analysis of water supplies and projected rainfalls before Victoria’s desalination plant comes online suggests the state’s capital Melbourne may never need the controversial $750 million north-south pipeline.

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