Water's Fall examines the massive rationalisation of
Australia's water in the closing decades of the 20th
century and investigates two major breakdowns: the Big
Pong in Adelaide in the autumn of 1996 and the
contamination crisis in Sydney in the winter of 1997.
Water is special. We drink it, swim in it, wash with
it, and are mostly made up of it - now we sell it for
profit. Maintaining a clean, safe supply of this precious
fluid fundamentally determines
not just our quality of life, but life itself. Yet in
recent decades, Australia's water supply and disposal
systems have undergone a massive transformation. Two major
urban public health crises - the Big Pong in Adelaide and
the Contamination Crisis in Sydney - have highlighted the
great dangers in the new method of management.
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WATER'S
FALL - Running the Risks with Economic Rationalism by
Christopher Sheil & illustrated by Bill Leak
11.30 am Friday September 8, The Jubilee Room, Parliament
House, Macquarie Street, Sydney
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Clair Miller '
The Politics of Water
'
The Age
9/10/99 focuses on the attempt to restore flow to the Snowy River,
brought to attention with the balance of power now held by independents,
one of who was elected on the demands to bring the river back to life.
Where will the water come from?
`I think the other issue that has been lost in this debate is that
if there are logical arguments supported by Melbourne people for
the Snowy River, then are they prepared to give up their water from
other catchments?'' Walsh said, referring to the 70per cent of Gippsland's
Thompson River flow that is diverted to Melbourne. The fact the
city has escaped water restrictions despite three dry seasons in
a row is not lost on dairy farmers in Sale who face reduced allocations
for another year. Craig Ingram was also elected on the strength
of their disgust - different river, but same theme of being bled
dry for the benefit of others.
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Water treatment plant in Mildura
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