Queensland Water Crisis
Good morning ladies and gentlemen I am here today to discuss the water crises for south east Queensland, this is an issue which is related to the topic of environmental economics a Very important issue that is not only affecting the south east region of Australia but all of our country in some way. This seminar will also evaluate this water crisis using criteria to provide recommendations to the state government
Key issues
Water is our most precious natural resource. As well as supporting life itself and the health of the environment, water underpins social and economic development across the state. Water supplies right throughout Queensland are desperately low, particularly in the rapidly growing and heavily populated southeast Queensland …show more content…
region, which could run out of water within two years. The water crisis facing Queensland is a direct result of the Beattie Labour Government’s refusal to invest in water during its past eight years in power.
South East Queensland is currently experiencing the worst water shortage in over 100 years. We (Australia) are in our sixth consecutive year of below average rainfall and still no one has taken on the responsibility of preparing South East Queensland for the future by Finding new water sources and putting them into action. But then again, the water consumers are also to blame. For years people and businesses have taken water for Granted and now they pay the price with tough water restrictions.
The question is how do we solve Australia’s water crises? This question will be analysed by putting forward four criteria in order to make recommendation to the state government.
Recommendations
Government policies
Many suggestions within the Australian government have been made on how to solve this problem, including a $500 million plan for the construction of new dams at Wyaralong, Glendower, Amamoor Creek and the raising of the Borumba Dam.
The Coalition’s solution will focus on building the dams that have been planned for many years, and which the Beattie Labour Government has promised to build… but never did. Brisbane is running out of water. All levels of government are fully aware and deeply concerned. They have spent a lot of money urging everyone to save water. So far they have saved about two weeks worth, a very solid effort by everyone but simply not …show more content…
enough.
The Queensland coalition plan also includes a $100 million Water Saver Rebate system for homeowners to install: AAA rated showerheads
Water efficient washing machines
Swimming pool covers
Rainwater tanks
Dual flush toilets
Water flow regulators
In the following slides there are also some of the other recommendations to reduce household water usage, Take a look and consider them in mind.
The majority of the blame should be on the Government however the consumers are not without fault. For years people have wasted water and still do, thinking it will last forever when clearly it won’t. They washed their cemented areas and had lengthy showers without a thought for the future.
The businesses are worse Wasting up to 110 litres of South East Queensland’s water per day each for things they don’t even need. The vast majority of water in Australia though is used in agricultural production as can be seen from the Chart, two-thirds of the water consumed is used in this sector, using up to 70% of Australia’s water Supply just on their plants. If the level of wastage of water was to be reduced by only 10%, the total amount available would be doubled. They are wasting the city’s water and the government is allowing it to happen.
North Queensland has a lot of water, due to this more people from down south are beginning and wanting to move to far north Queensland simply because of its high rainfall average per year making it nearly impossible to go through the crises that south east Queensland is going through
now.
Due to the government’s lack of ability, personal and industrial exploitation and the lack of Rainfall, South East Queensland is experiencing the worst drought in over 100 years. The government has seen this crisis build up over the years and have chosen to ignore it, Believing the water levels could never get as low as they have. If everyone follows the water restrictions, cuts back their usage and the government finds new water Sources and puts them into action, South East Queensland may just recover from this Water crisis before it’s too late.
Key issues
Water is our most precious natural resource. As well as supporting life itself and the health of the environment, water underpins social and economic development across the state. Water supplies right throughout Queensland are desperately low, particularly in the rapidly growing and heavily populated southeast Queensland …show more content…
region, which could run out of water within two years. The water crisis facing Queensland is a direct result of the Beattie Labour Government’s refusal to invest in water during its past eight years in power.
South East Queensland is currently experiencing the worst water shortage in over 100 years. We (Australia) are in our sixth consecutive year of below average rainfall and still no one has taken on the responsibility of preparing South East Queensland for the future by Finding new water sources and putting them into action. But then again, the water consumers are also to blame. For years people and businesses have taken water for Granted and now they pay the price with tough water restrictions.
The question is how do we solve Australia’s water crises? This question will be analysed by putting forward four criteria in order to make recommendation to the state government.
Recommendations
Government policies
Many suggestions within the Australian government have been made on how to solve this problem, including a $500 million plan for the construction of new dams at Wyaralong, Glendower, Amamoor Creek and the raising of the Borumba Dam.
The Coalition’s solution will focus on building the dams that have been planned for many years, and which the Beattie Labour Government has promised to build… but never did. Brisbane is running out of water. All levels of government are fully aware and deeply concerned. They have spent a lot of money urging everyone to save water. So far they have saved about two weeks worth, a very solid effort by everyone but simply not …show more content…
enough.
The Queensland coalition plan also includes a $100 million Water Saver Rebate system for homeowners to install: AAA rated showerheads
Water efficient washing machines
Swimming pool covers
Rainwater tanks
Dual flush toilets
Water flow regulators
In the following slides there are also some of the other recommendations to reduce household water usage, Take a look and consider them in mind.
The majority of the blame should be on the Government however the consumers are not without fault. For years people have wasted water and still do, thinking it will last forever when clearly it won’t. They washed their cemented areas and had lengthy showers without a thought for the future.
The businesses are worse Wasting up to 110 litres of South East Queensland’s water per day each for things they don’t even need. The vast majority of water in Australia though is used in agricultural production as can be seen from the Chart, two-thirds of the water consumed is used in this sector, using up to 70% of Australia’s water Supply just on their plants. If the level of wastage of water was to be reduced by only 10%, the total amount available would be doubled. They are wasting the city’s water and the government is allowing it to happen.
North Queensland has a lot of water, due to this more people from down south are beginning and wanting to move to far north Queensland simply because of its high rainfall average per year making it nearly impossible to go through the crises that south east Queensland is going through
now.
Due to the government’s lack of ability, personal and industrial exploitation and the lack of Rainfall, South East Queensland is experiencing the worst drought in over 100 years. The government has seen this crisis build up over the years and have chosen to ignore it, Believing the water levels could never get as low as they have. If everyone follows the water restrictions, cuts back their usage and the government finds new water Sources and puts them into action, South East Queensland may just recover from this Water crisis before it’s too late.