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PP on Halal certification Thank you for the Halal Choices and the info about Coles - I will not be purchasing meat from Coles henceforth. In the UK it ... more
PP on Halal certification Thank you for the Halal Choices and the info about Coles - I will not be purchasing meat from Coles henceforth. In the UK it ... more
anne white on Halal certification A website that lists all Australian food products that are halal is, HALAL CHOICES.Also I phoned COLES (1800 061 562) and ... more
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The Water Debacle

Posted by: Michael Smith | 25 November, 2008 - 11:47 AM

The Bligh Government's bungles and half-baked approach to water drag on and on and on.

Today we learn that the disastrous and ill-conceived Traveston Crossing Dam will be delayed by "several years". Basic work hasn't been done on the project. The state's co-ordinator general has advised that the site needs "mitigation work" before it's even fit for submission to the Federal Environment Minister for his approval. That's going to take "several years" according to the Premier. And yet in her head-long dash to be seen to "do something, anything," Anna Bligh has bought 600 homes and properties in the area. Can you imagine the depression, sleepless nights, heart-break, and family break-ups? Just imagine all the kids who had plans of future Christmases, weddings, picnics on the family estate. All those hundreds of plans dashed as the government bought back the properties and told families they'd be flooded.

Millions of dollars have been spent on this white elephant - and all before there was any approval for the thing to proceed. The mismanagement is simply mind-boggling. And it has Anna Bligh's fingerprints all over it.

It's the same with the half-baked approach to recycling our sewage. It hasn't been done anywhere else in the world in the way that the amateurs in George Street are proposing. There's no basis for us to trust their judgement.

They have got to be joking. This is a mess. Anna Bligh is proposing that we pay a French company, Veolia to recycle our sewerage, our hormones, our chemotherapy waste and God knows what else. And all to put recycled sewerage into our dams at a cost of $500 a mega litre, when the now abundantly available rainwater makes its way to our taps at 20% of the price. Why? Maybe the contract with Veolia explains it all

This whole water debacle shows just how poorly this government governs. What could be more important to us than water?

Blog comments

The problem with piping water from North Queensland is exhorbitant cost. Moving water is very power hungry. Power generated, greehouse gases produced, to drive the pumps to move the water a distance will always be a prohibitive factor in piping the water. It is cheaper therefore to pump seawater through a filter (desalination) closer to where it is wanted than to move it a distance - this is the case with the Traveston option. This is also the reason that the "water grid" solution is stupid.
The cheapest and best water actually falls on your heads regularly - perhaps it should fall in lumps of ice more often to knock some sense into those who neglect to catch and use it.
The Traveston option continues to be a social crime.

Mary Supporter Friday 28 November, 2008 - 4:25 PM
I'm just happy we managed to save Wivanhoe dam from her putrified mix of recycled sewage & hospital waste.

I have talked to many even in the industry, and all have agreed that this little hobby of Anna's was never going to be cost effective.

The Atkinson dam is empty though and it would be a great jesture to the people of the area to fill it. It provides water for Agriculture plus recreational fishing and tourism for the area.

The Queensland wildlife could continue with the lungfish breading programme and everybody would be happy. (abet a bit poorer)

Tony Zegenhagen Wednesday 26 November, 2008 - 8:59 PM
every one complains about beattie bligh government but someone must be voting these clowns in. surely we could convince peter foster to run the state. he would be better at least we know he would not be any worse.

ron johnson Wednesday 26 November, 2008 - 5:46 PM
The minority who still want to drink recycled water should ask more questions e.g: Have any test results from SEQ recycled water plants been publicly released (?) Have water samples from SEQ recycled water plants been made available for independent study (?) Is the DATA kept "behind closed doors (?) Are Companies, behind the plan for the SEQ water grid - helping fund the scientific research (?) (Read the Australian to help answer that question) and does this cause a conflict of interests or indeed is this considered independent study (?) Is testing of this water - limited to a few handpicked experts (?) If so - how can this represent a broad and balanced scientific view (?) Is it a good idea to FORCE recycled water on people living in a DEMOCRACY (?) And finally.. Where is the population that consumes recycled WASTE - by choice - and continually - at levels of up to 1/4 of all drinking water - and has done so, safely, with no ill effects for generations (?) Where are the Studies to show it's SAFE (?) Don't say it's done in London or Singapore - it's clearly NOT - Someone - Anyone (?) Well done Anna - FINALLY - Recycled Waste for Industry only.

Finally! Wednesday 26 November, 2008 - 9:56 AM
RE - Water Commission - Before adding recycled sewage into the dam ...

1. Use your water to do better than just repair damage done along the length of pipeline construction - get water back into the system via productive and healthy creek banks and forests. Just replicating the poorest example of bush in the location that has been damaged is not good enough.

2. Allow watering points along the length of the pipeline for vegetation and industry, reducing pressure on the dam. How much is currently be used by industry along the length of the pipeline?

3. Advise how many thousands of tonnes of top soil and debris has been removed from dams while the levels have been so low and used productively.

4. Is the Chair of the QWC okay? She seems to be keeping a low profile.

5. Would the Nationsls agree to scrap the QWC and any number of Labor stunts if they won power at the surprise election I predict will be held on 27 December to help Cap'n Anna sneak back in while people are distracted?

Phil - Mansfield Wednesday 26 November, 2008 - 8:11 AM
Smithy,
The government seem to have had compulsoty labotomy's over many things but particularly the water. Recycled water, the Traverston Dam, desalination plants and so it goes. In the '20s, I believe, someone whose name escapes me suggested and it has been discussed ever since about bringing water from North Queensland to South East QLD. The suggestion never gathers water so to speak. It would be an excellent idea to cost it against all these alternatives. This waould allow 4 a cost benefit analysis to find the most beneficial way to deliver water AND we may never have to drink recycled water and could save millions.

The LNP also may have had the labotomy as they have been in power over the years and not done anything of real value.

Someone on your programme on Tueaday asked to start a petition to have the idea on the agenda. At some stage over the years there was a suggestion to bring the pipeline along the side of the railway line to save on cost. The idea was hit on the head for some reason that escapes me.

Anyway pollies don't listen and the debate will continue and common sense remains out the window.

John Simpson Wednesday 26 November, 2008 - 7:41 AM