R[0]="1004"; T[0]="Meter trial allows units to track water use"; A[0]="By ... Editor"; Dn[0]="20060630"; Dt[0]="Friday 30 June 2006"; Acats[0]="a40a55a93"; B1[0]="      Water use in apartments could be cut by as much as 10 per cent if a Sydney Water trial of individual water "; B2[0]="meters proves a success... "; B3[0]=" "; B4[0]=" "; B5[0]=" "; S1[0]="      Water use in apartments could be cut by as much as 10 per cent if a Sydney Water trial of individual water "; S2[0]=" meters proves a success.
      Calls for all apartments to be fitted with the meters in the past have been resisted by the "; S3[0]=" State Government because of the high cost of retrofitting buildings.
      But the Government will launch a pilot project today trialling two types "; S4[0]=" of meters in a completed block of units at Rhodes and two blocks being built at Hornsby.
      It would allow residents to "; S5[0]=" monitor their use, which in turn could encourage water savings, the Minister for Water Utilities, David Campbell, said yesterday.
      'Residents throughout Sydney "; S6[0]=" have responded brilliantly to the need to reduce water consumption, with current initiatives reducing annual consumption from 630 billion litres to 529 billion litres,' Mr "; S7[0]=" Campbell said.
      Installing individual meters in existing buildings was usually impractical due to the cost and difficulty in getting access to plumbing "; S8[0]=" systems.
      But installing them in new apartments allows them to be planned during the design stage.
      Environmentalists are likely "; S9[0]=" to welcome the announcement.
      They say one of the most effective strategies to address Sydney's water shortage has been the restrictions and "; S10[0]=" efforts made by residents to use less water on their gardens and in their homes.
      As of last Thursday, Sydney's dams were "; S11[0]=" 41.9 per cent full.
      The meters will be read remotely using technology that will receive the meter data over the internet.
  "; S12[0]="     The meters will be connected to a data logger that records the amount of water used... "; R[1]="1003"; T[1]="Extended drought aid"; A[1]="By ... Editor"; Dn[1]="20060630"; Dt[1]="Friday 30 June 2006"; Acats[1]="a40a89"; B1[1]="      Exceptional Circumstances drought support has been extended for another five months in the Western Division.... "; B2[1]=" "; B3[1]=" "; B4[1]=" "; B5[1]=" "; S1[1]="      Exceptional Circumstances drought support has been extended for another five months in the Western Division.
      Household support and interest "; S2[1]=" rates subsidies that were due to expire on Friday will continue until November the 30 after inspections by the National Rural Advisory Council.
    "; S3[1]="   The federal Member for Parkes, John Cobb, has defended the last minute announcement.
      'It's not a case of being left late, "; S4[1]=" it's a case that obviously, a decision can't be made two or three months before because you have no idea how the season is looking "; S5[1]=" at that stage, so I mean the main thing is that we make a decision before it ceases so people don't have to reapply for "; S6[1]=" their household allowance,' he said... "; R[2]="994"; T[2]="Water Quality - Upper Grassy Dam"; A[2]="By ... Editor"; Dn[2]="20060628"; Dt[2]="Wednesday 28 June 2006"; Acats[2]="a40a69"; B1[2]="      The Director of Public Health, Dr Roscoe Taylor, said today that repeat testing for heavy metals of water from the Upper Grassy "; B2[2]="Dam on King Island had again shown no problems... "; B3[2]=" "; B4[2]=" "; B5[2]=" "; S1[2]="      The Director of Public Health, Dr Roscoe Taylor, said today that repeat testing for heavy metals of water from the Upper Grassy "; S2[2]=" Dam on King Island had again shown no problems.
      Dr Taylor said the King Island Council took another round of samples from "; S3[2]=" the Grassy water supply last Wednesday - from points both before and after the water had been through the Grassy treatment plant.
      "; S4[2]=" 'The samples were forwarded by the Council to Analytical Services Tasmania for testing at its New Town laboratory in Hobart.
      'AST tested "; S5[2]=" the samples for a range of 12 heavy metals.
      'The results - including those for lead - were all within Australian Drinking "; S6[2]=" Water Guidelines.
      'In fact, no lead at all was detected in the water taken from below the treatment plant.
      "; S7[2]=" 'These results are consistent with the results of a water sample taken from the dam in April.' Dr Taylor said he had no reason to "; S8[2]=" question the results as they had been taken by a qualified Council officer acting in accordance with the Public Health Act 1997.
      "; S9[2]=" 'I would like to thank the King Island Council for assisting us with this investigation and responding to the concerns of the Grassy residents.
  "; S10[2]="     'I will also be seeking a meeting between the Grassy Progress Association and an officer from the Public & Environmental Health Service who "; S11[2]=" will be visiting King Island this week.
      'If it is found necessary, further samples will be taken by that officer to see "; S12[2]=" if further light can be shed on the apparent discrepancies with the results of sampling taken in May by a consultant.' Dr Taylor said PEHS "; S13[2]=" was currently reviewing information from a recent round of blue-green algae testing from the Upper Grassy Dam and hoped to be able to advise Council "; S14[2]=" shortly on results.
      However, the current advice to Grassy residents not to drink from the water supply because of a blue-green algal "; S15[2]=" problem remains in place until further notice... "; R[3]="987"; T[3]="Confront water issue: Costello"; A[3]="By ... Editor"; Dn[3]="20060628"; Dt[3]="Wednesday 28 June 2006"; Acats[3]="a05a40"; B1[3]="      Australia would not be able to support future generations if it failed to confront the issue of water head on, Treasurer Peter "; B2[3]="Costello said today... "; B3[3]=" "; B4[3]=" "; B5[3]=" "; S1[3]="      Australia would not be able to support future generations if it failed to confront the issue of water head on, Treasurer Peter "; S2[3]=" Costello said today.
      'We would like a growing population and increasing water resources is a big part of that,' Mr Costello told "; S3[3]=" Southern Cross radio today.
      'On the driest continent on earth if we want to maintain our agriculture, and our standards of living "; S4[3]=" we will have to solve the water problem.' Mr Costello said science might one day solve the water problem, but in the meantime it was "; S5[3]=" necessary to 'build proper storage, conserve it, price it and ultimately produce more of it'.
      It was also important for Australia to "; S6[3]=" tackle its waning birth rate, he said.
      'If we want to be a strong country, with a strong defence force in a "; S7[3]=" difficult region, which plays a significant role in world affairs, we will have to deal with population,' Mr Costello said.
      'If we "; S8[3]=" don't lift our fertility rates we will have a preponderance of old people being supported (by a base) of working people, and that will be "; S9[3]=" a big problem for us in 30 years.'.. "; R[4]="980"; T[4]="Agreement on national water recycling guidelines"; A[4]="By ... Editor"; Dn[4]="20060628"; Dt[4]="Wednesday 28 June 2006"; Acats[4]="a40"; B1[4]="      With water recycling a major focus for many communities around Australia, the National Water Commission has welcomed the agreement by Water Ministers "; B2[4]="that it is important to accelerate the completion of national water recycling guidelines, following the first meeting of Ministers in Sydney last week... "; B3[4]=" "; B4[4]=" "; B5[4]=" "; S1[4]="      With water recycling a major focus for many communities around Australia, the National Water Commission has welcomed the agreement by Water Ministers "; S2[4]=" that it is important to accelerate the completion of national water recycling guidelines, following the first meeting of Ministers in Sydney last week.
    "; S3[4]="   'Water Ministers will ask the Environment Protection and Heritage Council to accelerate work on national water recycling guidelines as soon as possible,' Chairman, Ken "; S4[4]=" Matthews said.
      'With proposals for recycling water for communities like Toowoomba and Goulburn currently being considered, moving national water recycling guidelines forward "; S5[4]=" will mean that consistent, national standards are in place as more communities consider water recycling options.' Water data exchange Meeting in Canberra this week, commissioners "; S6[4]=" noted that Water Ministers had discussed the importance of free and open water data exchange between jurisdictions.
      To advance the issue commissioners "; S7[4]=" agreed to convene a National Water Data Summit in August.
      'Improved access to data will improve capability to plan and manage water "; S8[4]=" resources, improve water productivity and to predict the impacts of climate change and land use change on water resources and entitlements at local, regional and "; S9[4]=" national levels.
      It is also consistent with the Commission's work on the Australian Water Resources 2005 and development of the Australian Water "; S10[4]=" Resources Information System,' Mr Matthews said.
      Water trading Commissioners also had very positive discussions with senior state officials on the progress on "; S11[4]=" water trading and current state and territory water trading issues this week.
      The Commission has consistently identified water trading as one of "; S12[4]=" the most vital elements of the NWI.
      The discussions this week also form part of the Commission's work in assessing states' progress "; S13[4]=" in order to regain their suspended competition payments.
      Urban water reform Urban water reform was another major focus for the Commission this "; S14[4]=" week, with the first meeting of the Urban Water Advisory Group.
      The Group comprises urban water experts and industry practitioners and has "; S15[4]=" been established by the Commission to improve its understanding of the important urban water issues facing our cities.
      The Group considered "; S16[4]=" a range of current urban reform issues including NWI commitments in relation to institutional and regulatory barriers to integrated urban water cycle management, water sensitive "; S17[4]=" urban developments and a national review of water restrictions.
      Commissioners considered a number of urban reform priorities to progress the NWI (paragraph "; S18[4]=" 92(iv)), including approaches to assist Parties to the NWI better coordinate water resource and urban planning at a whole-of-government level and to assist water agencies "; S19[4]=" to undertake urban water supply and demand planning.
      Commissioners also supported a comprehensive review of the issues to provide greater certainty and "; S20[4]=" innovation in the access arrangements to water infrastructure by the private sector.
      Commissioners reiterated their support for policy development to clarify entitlements "; S21[4]=" to alternate sources of water (including, for example, recycled water and stormwater) and also to review the issues and requirements to support water trading between "; S22[4]=" regional and urban areas.
      Raising National Water Standards Commissioners also encouraged relevant organisations to get behind the recent call for proposals under "; S23[4]=" the Raising National Water Standards Programme launched on 16 June 2006 by the Prime Minister's Parliamentary Secretary with responsibility for water, the Hon Malcolm Turnbull.
"; S24[4]="       'The Raising National Water Standards Programme is an important part of the $2 billion Australian Government Water Fund and calls for proposals "; S25[4]=" under the programme are now open.
      Information about the programme is available from the Commission's website and the current call for proposals "; S26[4]=" closes on 15 September 2006,' Mr Matthews said.
      Water Smart Australia Commissioners noted the closure of the current Water Smart Australia call "; S27[4]=" for proposals on 16 June, which included a separate call for proposals from the irrigation sector, and were encouraged by the number and diversity of "; S28[4]=" projects put forward.
      'This was the first time the Commission had conducted a special round for a specific sector under the Water "; S29[4]=" Smart Australia Programme and we will be reviewing the success of the special call and identifying other sectors where special attention may be required,' Mr "; S30[4]=" Matthews said... "; R[5]="975"; T[5]="Gains made in fight to save water"; A[5]="By ... Editor"; Dn[5]="20060628"; Dt[5]="Wednesday 28 June 2006"; Acats[5]="a40"; B1[5]="      Campbellwell Council is well on its way to improving water conservation in the area by 25 per cent in the next 10 "; B2[5]="years... "; B3[5]=" "; B4[5]=" "; B5[5]=" "; S1[5]="      Campbellwell Council is well on its way to improving water conservation in the area by 25 per cent in the next 10 "; S2[5]=" years.
      The council was one of three in Adelaide originally to join the Water Campaign, an international freshwater management program.
    "; S3[5]="   It has achieved three of the campaign's five milestones.
      Campbelltown's manager for strategic development, Rod Harvey, said water conservation "; S4[5]=" is important to all councils.
      'The council recognises that water conservation is one of the most pressing issues facing the world "; S5[5]=" at the moment,' he said.
      'We all recognise the need to rely less on the River Murray for water, so it "; S6[5]=" makes sense to start re-using water and stop wasting it.' Campbelltown Council has developed a three-year integrated water-cycle management plan and is involved in "; S7[5]=" two International Council for Local Government Initiatives programs.
      Management actions the council has implemented include development of aquifer storage and recovery "; S8[5]=" scheme along Fifth Creek, improving irrigation efficiency in parks and reserves, greater use of mulch and native plant species in parks and reserves and installation "; S9[5]=" of water efficiency products in some council buildings.
      Mr Harvey said council was looking at several other water conservation activities.
  "; S10[5]="     'We take water from the Fifth Creek during high winter flows, clean it up, store it, then draw it out in summer "; S11[5]=" to water our reserves,' he said.
      'We are also offering interest-free loans to people who want to put in a rainwater tank "; S12[5]=" and plumb it to their house.' The council aims to improve water quality by looking at erosion and sediment management, gross litter and pollution "; S13[5]=" management and herbicide, pesticide and fertiliser usage.
      WaterCare, a State Government initiative that raises awareness of water issues and promotes sustainable "; S14[5]=" use and management of water resources, has praised the council's efforts.
      Project manager Simone Williams said she was impressed with the "; S15[5]=" council's initiative and encouraged all South Australian councils to get involved... "; R[6]="958"; T[6]="Farmers accused of tree attacks, water grab"; A[6]="By ... Editor"; Dn[6]="20060621"; Dt[6]="Wednesday 21 June 2006"; Acats[6]="a04a05a40a51"; B1[6]="      Allegations that NSW cotton farmers in the state's north-west have illegally cleared hundreds of hectares of land, including stands of river red "; B2[6]="gums, and diverted flood-plain water to their properties, are being investigated by the NSW Government... "; B3[6]=" "; B4[6]=" "; B5[6]=" "; S1[6]="      Allegations that NSW cotton farmers in the state's north-west have illegally cleared hundreds of hectares of land, including stands of river red "; S2[6]=" gums, and diverted flood-plain water to their properties, are being investigated by the NSW Government.
      The investigation follows raids carried out in "; S3[6]=" April by government officers and police on other properties in the Warren, Marthaguy and Coonamble districts, where illegal clearing was allegedly carried out by landowners.
"; S4[6]="       The Department of Environment and Conservation discovered the clearing and flood-plain harvesting on four properties between the towns of Warren and Carinda "; S5[6]=" between November last year and February when its officers flew over the area to monitor river flows in the threatened Macquarie Marshes.
      "; S6[6]=" On one property, officers saw about 73 hectares of cleared land, with at least 60 large piles of vegetation, including river red gums, some of "; S7[6]=" which were alight.
      They passed the information on to the Department of Natural Resources in April, saying that because the areas were "; S8[6]=" large and the impact on the marshes significant, the clearing should be investigated.
      A spokeswoman for the latter department, Lisa Miller, said "; S9[6]=" it had begun to investigate the alleged breaches of the Native Vegetation Act.
      'All allegations of illegal clearing are taken extremely seriously "; S10[6]=" by DNR,' said Ms Miller.
      'For example, compliance action recently undertaken in the Warren area was the specific result of allegations of "; S11[6]=" land-clearing near the Macquarie Marshes.
      The results of those investigations are currently being finalised.' The Macquarie Marshes are one of the largest "; S12[6]=" semi-permanent wetlands in south-eastern Australia, and internationally recognised because of their importance for bird breeding.
      In recent decades, cattle grazing and irrigation "; S13[6]=" for cotton and wheat have severely depleted natural water flows, damaging wildlife and native vegetation.
      Last year, the State Government announced a "; S14[6]=" plan to restore the marshes by buying back water for the environment.
      However, the Government needed to do more than just buy "; S15[6]=" back water for the marshes, according to a waterbird and river ecology scientist at the University of NSW, Richard Kingsford.
      It must "; S16[6]=" protect the flood plains, wildlife habitats and river red gum communities.
      'The red gums are part of the river system,' he said.
"; S17[6]="       'You might be looking after the water but you have to look after other parts of the system, too.' It was common, "; S18[6]=" particularly in catchments such as the Gwydir and the Border rivers, for landowners to harvest floodwater, he said.
      'There is potential for "; S19[6]=" people to take water that has not been allocated to them.
      You don't want to lose that environmental flow to irrigators.' Reece "; S20[6]=" Turner,of the Wilderness Society, said alleged large-scale illegal clearing near the Macquarie Marshes 'put the Iemma Government to shame'.
      'Iemma has announced "; S21[6]=" $118 million for environmental flows for NSW's stressed wetlands with a particular focus on the Macquarie Marshes,' Mr Turner said.
      'But his "; S22[6]=" Government has failed to stop illegal land-clearing occurring right on the back door of these internationally recognised marshes.
      'The NSW Government has "; S23[6]=" hundreds of cases of alleged illegal land-clearing sitting on its desk and has failed to bring one successful prosecution in the last two years … "; S24[6]=" What is needed is political will from the Premier to follow through with the three-year-old promise to end land-clearing.'.. "; R[7]="956"; T[7]="$87m taken for water-saving theory"; A[7]="By ... Editor"; Dn[7]="20060621"; Dt[7]="Wednesday 21 June 2006"; Acats[7]="a40a66"; B1[7]="      The Beattie Government has diverted $87 million from infrastructure to a new rebate scheme for water-saving devices, despite having no reliable data "; B2[7]="on how residents use their water and where conservation measures should be targeted... "; B3[7]=" "; B4[7]=" "; B5[7]=" "; S1[7]="      The Beattie Government has diverted $87 million from infrastructure to a new rebate scheme for water-saving devices, despite having no reliable data "; S2[7]=" on how residents use their water and where conservation measures should be targeted.
      Two days after rebates for water-efficient household goods such "; S3[7]=" as front-loading washing machines and shower heads were announced last month, the Government admitted there was 'little accurate information on where to target initiatives for "; S4[7]=" a sustainable outcome'.
      The Environmental Protection Agency made the admission in calling for tenders for a consultancy to assess how Queenslanders "; S5[7]=" use their water.
      Despite the lack of detailed research on the new rebate scheme, Water Minister Henry Palaszczuk yesterday defended the "; S6[7]=" Government's decision to divert funds that had been earmarked to give to councils as subsidies for major water infrastructure schemes.
      'In a "; S7[7]=" region where we have common water restrictions across 12 councils, we do not have a common offer of rebates to households to save water,' Mr "; S8[7]=" Palaszczuk said.
      'Therefore, the Queensland Government has offered to fund a rebate program to complement and streamline the offers from councils.
"; S9[7]="       '(We) set a 2020 target of reducing domestic water consumption from 300 litres per person each day to 230 litres.
  "; S10[7]="     Many people, like me, have already reduced water usage to 230 litres or less each day.' A month before Premier Peter Beattie "; S11[7]=" announced the policy at the state Labor Party conference, the Coalition made a similar pledge, sparking a water debate that continues to dominate the political "; S12[7]=" scene.
      Local councils and the Government have also blamed each other for allowing the water crisis to become so dire.
    "; S13[7]="   Councils have been stripped of the power to control water policy and the Government has been forced to consider three new dams in southeast "; S14[7]=" Queensland.
      An EPA spokesman said 80 per cent of residential indoor water was used in showers, toilets and washing machines and "; S15[7]=" the consultancy would help determine the most effective strategies to reduce consumption.
      Brisbane residents had the second-highest water use of all "; S16[7]=" capital cities last year - with each person using 717 litres a day.
      But water restrictions have brought the city's usage "; S17[7]=" back on par with other capitals.
      This week, southeast Queensland's average water consumption fell to 695 megalitres (695million litres) a day "; S18[7]=" - down from more than 900 megalitres aday before restrictions were introduced.
      The average Brisbane household now uses 550 litres a "; S19[7]=" day (201,000 a year), a daily saving of about 170 litres, according to Brisbane City Council.
      Sydney water restrictions, introduced in "; S20[7]=" 2003, have saved enough water to fill 200,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools... "; R[8]="947"; T[8]="Beattie favours Mary River dam"; A[8]="By ... Editor"; Dn[8]="20060619"; Dt[8]="Monday 19 June 2006"; Acats[8]="a05a40a66"; B1[8]="      A massive dam on the Mary River is still the Beattie Government's favoured solution to the water crisis in southeast Queensland, even "; B2[8]="though alternative projects are more advanced and less contentious... "; B3[8]=" "; B4[8]=" "; B5[8]=" "; S1[8]="      A massive dam on the Mary River is still the Beattie Government's favoured solution to the water crisis in southeast Queensland, even "; S2[8]=" though alternative projects are more advanced and less contentious.
      With cabinet due to choose the location of two new dams from three "; S3[8]=" sites by the end of the month, Premier Peter Beattie said yesterday the Traveston dam proposal provided the best long-term solution, even though it has "; S4[8]=" raised significant environmental concerns and widespread protests.
      The largest of the proposed dams, on the Mary River north of Brisbane, is opposed "; S5[8]=" by the state Coalition, the Greens, local community and Aboriginal groups, a Uniting Church minister and sidelined Labor MP Cate Molloy.
      Concerns "; S6[8]=" have been raised about poor geology, arsenic contamination and the potential impact on lungfish and Mary River cod.
      Long-term rainfall trends have "; S7[8]=" been used to cast doubts over the Traveston option, along with the smaller alternatives being considered on the Logan River, south of Brisbane.
    "; S8[8]="   But Mr Beattie said his Government was forced to take action because councils had failed to secure a long-term water supply for booming greater "; S9[8]=" Brisbane.
      Mr Beattie said councils wrongly expected rain to come, but the worst drought in 100 years had forced the Government to "; S10[8]=" accelerate infrastructure programs, introduce demand minimisation policies and take greater control of water policies.
      'I think we've had enough indecision and two "; S11[8]=" dams will be built, one of them at Traveston,' Mr Beattie said from Beijing, where he is leading a trade mission.
      While "; S12[8]=" engineering and environmental reports still have to be completed on the Traveston option, Mr Beattie said its larger capacity was the obvious drawcard, and two "; S13[8]=" other sites on the Mary River had already been rejected.
      'We can actually build a dam that will deliver what people need,' "; S14[8]=" the Premier said.
      The Government wants to dam the Mary and Logan rivers by the end of 2011.
      The "; S15[8]=" two Logan River dam options were announced 14 months ago, but the Government fast-tracked its plans in April when it unexpectedly declared the Traveston option "; S16[8]=" a priority.
      On the Logan River, sites at Wyaralong and Tilleys Bridge are still being evaluated, with a preferred option likely to "; S17[8]=" be decided by cabinet next week.
      But the Tilleys Bridge option, near Rathdowney, has been slammed by residents, who say that the "; S18[8]=" area has been in drought for 20years.
      'If this dam goes through, it will be the third empty dam here within 30 "; S19[8]=" kilometres,' said cattle farmer Karen Masen.
      For the past year the nearby Maroon dam has been at 22 per cent capacity, while "; S20[8]=" Moogerah dam has been only 8 per cent full... "; R[9]="946"; T[9]="Farmers violating water restrictions"; A[9]="By ... Editor"; Dn[9]="20060619"; Dt[9]="Monday 19 June 2006"; Acats[9]="a40"; B1[9]="      Restrictions on how much water irrigators can take from the Murray-Darling river system are being widely breached by farmers on the Barwon-Darling "; B2[9]="in NSW... "; B3[9]=" "; B4[9]=" "; B5[9]=" "; S1[9]="      Restrictions on how much water irrigators can take from the Murray-Darling river system are being widely breached by farmers on the Barwon-Darling "; S2[9]=" in NSW.
      While the drought of 2004-05 drastically cut the amount of irrigation water used in the valleys of the Murray-Darling Basin, "; S3[9]=" the Barwon-Darling River in western NSW exceeded its cap by 55 gigalitres, or 15 billion litres, while the lower Darling took 15GL over their cap.
"; S4[9]="       In the eight years to 2004-05, irrigators took 314GL over their cap -- equivalent to more than five times Adelaide's annual "; S5[9]=" water entitlement from the Murray River.
      South Australia's Minister for the River Murray, Karlene Maywald, called on NSW to comply with "; S6[9]=" the cap.
      South Australia used 624GL in the year to June 2005 -- 100GL under its long-term cap.
      "; S7[9]=" NSW Minister for Natural Resources Ian MacDonald said the Barwon-Darling would have a notional cap of 173GL from the beginning of next month.
    "; S8[9]="   Ms Maywald said it would effectively take NSW two years to comply.
      'It is wrong that we should have to "; S9[9]=" wait another two years for NSW to address this,' she said.
      'It has been a continuing issue, particularly for downstream of the "; S10[9]=" Barwon-Darling area, and not just South Australia, in NSW as well.' The cap, which was put in place in 1997, restricts water usage to "; S11[9]=" the amount that would have been used at 1993-94 development levels.
      The Review of Cap Implementation for 2004-05 reported that only "; S12[9]=" 7884GL was diverted across the basin -- the lowest figure since 1983-84 -- due to drought.
      The cap varies with climate "; S13[9]=" and water trading.
      With the exception of the Barwon-Darling, irrigators in all the other rivers in the basin suffered cuts.
    "; S14[9]="   Farmers on the Wimmera-Mallee received just 52GL, well below the long-term cap of 162GL.
      Elsewhere in NSW, on the Lachlan "; S15[9]=" River irrigators got 50 per cent of their usual allocation, on the Macquarie 20 per cent and the Murrumbidgee 55 per cent.
      "; S16[9]=" Ms Maywald said over-allocation upstream had meant a lack of high flows in the Murray River in South Australia.
      'It is "; S17[9]=" about 10 years since our trees have had a decent drink in a lot of areas, and it is not just as a consequence of "; S18[9]=" the five-year drought we are in.
      It is also the consequence of the way we used to manage the water.'.. "; R[10]="937"; T[10]="Coastal areas will flood"; A[10]="By ... Editor"; Dn[10]="20060619"; Dt[10]="Monday 19 June 2006"; Acats[10]="a40a42a89"; B1[10]="      Parts of the state's coastal strip may be uninhabitable over the next century, with some councils already taking action to avoid the "; B2[10]="predicted impact of climate change... "; B3[10]=" "; B4[10]=" "; B5[10]=" "; S1[10]="      Parts of the state's coastal strip may be uninhabitable over the next century, with some councils already taking action to avoid the "; S2[10]=" predicted impact of climate change.
      Experts say flooding of low-lying coastal areas, damage to seaside shacks and increased erosion are among the "; S3[10]=" likely impacts of rising sea levels in South Australia in the next 100 years.
      In the worst case climate change predictions, "; S4[10]=" parts of the state's coastal strip may even become uninhabitable.
      The damage is expected to occur when king tides coincide with "; S5[10]=" major storms.
      Victor Harbor, Port Adelaide, Alexandrina and Port Augusta councils are most vulnerable, with rising sea levels forcing immediate preparation.
"; S6[10]="       Under generally accepted predictions, the world sea level will rise by an average 48cm between 1990 and 2100, two to three "; S7[10]=" times the rate of rise in the 1900s.
      Major Australian climate change authority, Will Steffen, in an Australian Government report, Climate "; S8[10]=" Change Science 2001-2005, said the worrying sign was that the global sea level rose 1.8mm a year between 1950 and 2000, but had increased to "; S9[10]=" about 3mm a year since 1993.
      Authorities warn that at least 20 seaside shack settlements around the state are particularly vulnerable "; S10[10]=" to flooding.
      Metropolitan areas most at risk include parts of the Port Adelaide Enfield Council and the Salisbury City Council areas.
"; S11[10]="       The Department of Environment and Heritage's Coastal Protection Branch cautions that a small number of houses along the beach in the "; S12[10]=" Tennyson area are also at risk.
      The impact is already being felt at Victor Harbor where mayor Scott Schubert said his council "; S13[10]=" is taking a pro-active approach because parts of its foreshore are very low lying.
      'We have consultants working on long-term effects "; S14[10]=" because we recognise the potential for damage from rising sea levels,' he said.
      Yankalilla District Council mayor Peter Whitford said the "; S15[10]=" sea level was given attention by his council because parts of Lady Bay and Myponga Beach were vulnerable.
      The most dire "; S16[10]=" warnings come from the University of Adelaide's head of school of earth and environmental sciences, Professor Bob Hill, who suggests the whole Adelaide coastal strip "; S17[10]=" will be vulnerable if scientific warnings prove accurate.
      'Some young children of today will live to see parts of the Adelaide "; S18[10]=" coastal strip becoming uninhabitable if action is not taken to address the problem,' Professor Hill said.
      'The moral of the story "; S19[10]=" is it is not too late to change.
      We can stop some major problems from taking place.' Professor Hill said he "; S20[10]=" was encouraged that South Australia had a Premier who had made himself the nation's first Minister for Climate Change and took the situation very seriously.
"; S21[10]="       Department of Environment and Heritage Coastal Protection Branch manager Rob Tucker said vulnerable areas included those without upgraded rock protection or "; S22[10]=" no rock protection and the lower lying areas of Port Adelaide Enfield and St Kilda in the Salisbury Council.
      Mr Tucker "; S23[10]=" said at least 20 coastal settlements were susceptible to climate change in the next 100 years, mainly shack areas on Yorke Peninsula, Eyre Peninsula and "; S24[10]=" in the South-East... "; R[11]="936"; T[11]="Be self-sufficient: recycle your own sewage"; A[11]="By ... Editor"; Dn[11]="20060619"; Dt[11]="Monday 19 June 2006"; Acats[11]="a40a42"; B1[11]="      Homes and apartment blocks could halve their water use by installing revolutionary sewage recycling technology, Sydney scientists say.... "; B2[11]=" "; B3[11]=" "; B4[11]=" "; B5[11]=" "; S1[11]="      Homes and apartment blocks could halve their water use by installing revolutionary sewage recycling technology, Sydney scientists say.
      About "; S2[11]=" the size of four refrigerators, it uses bacteria and fungi to convert sewage into water fit for gardens, flushing toilets and cleaning.
      "; S3[11]=" 'You could even do your laundry in it,' said Tony Taylor, the research team's leader.
      While not clean enough to drink, the "; S4[11]=" recycled water could significantly reduce Sydney's demand for the precious liquid.
      Running costs would be about $1.30 a kilolitre, about the same "; S5[11]=" price as Sydney's town water is now.
      However, in large regional recycling plants, for about $1.50 a kilolitre the recycled water could "; S6[11]=" be drinkable.
      Dr Taylor, a microbiologist at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, said it was a spin-off from nuclear research "; S7[11]=" at Lucas Heights to develop antibiotics and environmental repair technology.
      Exactly how the system, dubbed a nano-particulate membrane bio-reactor, works is secret, "; S8[11]=" but Dr Taylor described it as a series of 'gills'.
      A home would need a unit, costing about $2000, fitted with 40 "; S9[11]=" to 50 gills - membranes, or panels - each about one metre by 1.5 metres.
      Sewage flowing down the middle of each "; S10[11]=" gill would seep through, feeding bacteria and fungi growing on the outside.
      The bacteria and fungi would eat the waste, using oxygen "; S11[11]=" from the air to remove nutrients and toxins.
      So, it was also 'a stomach and a lung'.
      'We are "; S12[11]=" aiming at reducing water consumption at the house by 40 to 60 per cent.
      You would still have sewage leaving the house, "; S13[11]=" but it would first go around two or three times.' While existing sewage treatment plants already use bacteria, the new technology was significantly more efficient, "; S14[11]=" and a fifth the cost.
      Conventional treatment systems also use oxygen, creating bubbles in the sewage.
      'But bubbles are "; S15[11]=" very expensive to make,' Dr Taylor said.
      'They use a lot of electricity, producing lots of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels.' The "; S16[11]=" technology could make money by linking sewage recycling with prawn, yabby and fish farming.
      Organisms grown on the bio-reactor could be harvested "; S17[11]=" as their food.
      Dr Taylor, who conceded that diners might not want to know how their seafood had been raised, said his "; S18[11]=" team was looking for commercial partners.
      Initially, he predicted, the biggest market would be in rural areas, where water had to be "; S19[11]=" trucked in... "; R[12]="928"; T[12]="Dam site not best option"; A[12]="By ... Editor"; Dn[12]="20060619"; Dt[12]="Monday 19 June 2006"; Acats[12]="a40a66"; B1[12]="      The Queensland Government has admitted a leading engineering firm ranked the location for the controversial Traveston Dam fourth on a list of "; B2[12]="preferred sites... "; B3[12]=" "; B4[12]=" "; B5[12]=" "; S1[12]="      The Queensland Government has admitted a leading engineering firm ranked the location for the controversial Traveston Dam fourth on a list of "; S2[12]=" preferred sites.
      Engineering firm GHD was asked by the Government to study the best sites for a dam in southeast Queensland.
  "; S3[12]="     It recommended the Government consider two areas higher up the Mary River than the Traveston site in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
    "; S4[12]="   But the Government said yesterday GHD was asked to rank sites according to the cost per megalitre of water from the dam, and both "; S5[12]=" alternatives were considerably smaller than the Traveston mega-dam.
      The firm's favoured site, at Cambroon on the Mary River, would have meant relocating "; S6[12]=" the town of Conondale, while the third favoured location would have flooded the Obi Obi Gorge.
      The yield of a dam on "; S7[12]=" the Cambroon site was 52,000 megalitres and at the Obi Obi site was 36,000 megalitres, compared with the Traveston Dam, which has an annual yield "; S8[12]=" of 150,000 megalitres.
      The GHD report's second-favoured option was to raise the wall of the Hinze Dam on the Gold Coast, while "; S9[12]=" the site of its other major dam in southeast Queensland - at Rathdowney in the Gold Coast hinterland - was ranked No5 in the report.
"; S10[12]="       Acting Premier Anna Bligh said yesterday GHD's advice had not been ignored, but the Government had chosen the highest-yield dams available and "; S11[12]=" would also pursue the Hinze Dam option... "; R[13]="927"; T[13]="Open water market would help ailing river system"; A[13]="By ... Editor"; Dn[13]="20060619"; Dt[13]="Monday 19 June 2006"; Acats[13]="a05a08a40"; B1[13]="      Establishing an open market for water would be more effective in saving the Murray-Darling basin than the federal Government's $700 million blueprint "; B2[13]="to preserve supplies... "; B3[13]=" "; B4[13]=" "; B5[13]=" "; S1[13]="      Establishing an open market for water would be more effective in saving the Murray-Darling basin than the federal Government's $700 million blueprint "; S2[13]=" to preserve supplies.
      The Productivity Commission has concluded that plans to fix pipes, cover canals and reduce salt could lead to less "; S3[13]=" water being available for environmental flows in the ailing river system.
      Despite years of project planning and a $500 million budget boost "; S4[13]=" to the Murray-Darling Basin Commission in the May budget, no extra water has entered the Murray to date, but governments are confident the 500-billion-litre target "; S5[13]=" can be met by 2009.
      The draft report on rural water use suggests governments are deliberately dumping salt water into the Murray-Darling "; S6[13]=" Basin system and flushing it through to the sea near Adelaide.
      Water for regular flushes in the winter months could be bought "; S7[13]=" in the same way as environmental flows in the summer.
      The current system of pumping water to evaporation basins was expensive and "; S8[13]=" led to water loss, it says.
      Parliamentary Secretary for Water Malcolm Turnbull said water savings through repairing pipes and canals 'had not "; S9[13]=" been exhausted'.
      He said the Government was implementing a plan to buy back some water for the Murray from irrigators who had "; S10[13]=" made savings through implementing efficiency measures.
      Buying water on the open market was a 'widely held but controversial view', Mr Turnbull said.
"; S11[13]="       The report says: 'Saving water via major infrastructure works to achieve environmental objectives is often costly compared with other options and may "; S12[13]=" not increase water available for the environment.' Water saved through infrastructure investment is commonly described as a water saving, but the savings could be illusory "; S13[13]=" because the 'saved' water was removed from return flows to the river and groundwater via seepage and run-off.
      Irrigators would not need "; S14[13]=" to sell their water licences to save the Murray.
      The report says the Living Murray Initiative would be more effective if there "; S15[13]=" were wider options for buying water, including leasebacks, option-style contracts that kick in when it rains heavily, and trading allocations.
      Environmental managers "; S16[13]=" and associations, utilities and urban water users should be able to enter water markets, because that would set a true value for water... "; R[14]="905"; T[14]="QLD Dams down to 5pc by 2008"; A[14]="By ... Editor"; Dn[14]="20060613"; Dt[14]="Tuesday 13 June 2006"; Acats[14]="a40a66"; B1[14]="      Southeast Queenslanders face dam levels dropping to a critical 5 per cent by 2008 unless 13 emergency measures - including recycling sewage "; B2[14]="- are urgently introduced... "; B3[14]=" "; B4[14]=" "; B5[14]=" "; S1[14]="      Southeast Queenslanders face dam levels dropping to a critical 5 per cent by 2008 unless 13 emergency measures - including recycling sewage "; S2[14]=" - are urgently introduced.
      As life begins under strict Level 3 water restrictions today, modelling by SEQ Water reveals even tougher times "; S3[14]=" ahead.
      Previous forecasts have suggested that dam levels would fall no lower than 10 per cent by September 2008.
      "; S4[14]=" But the latest modelling, obtained by The Courier-Mail, shows that using recycled treated sewage is crucial to merely maintaining the 10 per cent level.
  "; S5[14]="     Without it, the modelling shows that drinking water levels will fall to 5 per cent within 26 months.
      Below 10 "; S6[14]=" per cent, sediment levels rise, algal blooms become a problem and water needs extensive treatment.
      Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman and council "; S7[14]=" water committee chairman John Campbell both said yesterday that pumping 110 megalitres a day of treated sewage into Brisbane's main dams was part of the "; S8[14]=" strategy to keep water levels at or above 10 per cent.
      Buckets and watering cans are now the only legal means of "; S9[14]=" watering plants and, from today, residents caught hosing their gardens will face fines of $150 for a first offence, while businesses face fines of $750.
"; S10[14]="       Premier Peter Beattie this month branded the pumping of treated sewage into the Wivenhoe Dam as an 'Armageddon solution'.
      "; S11[14]=" The 5 per cent dam level scenario assumes another 12 planned projects to conserve and produce water are completed on time and operating.
    "; S12[14]="   It also assumes that a desalination plant delivering 120 megalitres a day will be operating at Tugun on the Gold Coast by June 2008, "; S13[14]=" and current rainfall patterns continue.
      With the Tugun plant also facing delays, the modelling suggests that water levels would fall well below "; S14[14]=" 5 per cent if both projects were not on time.
      Gold Coast Water earlier this month said the plant would not be "; S15[14]=" ready until June 2009.
      SEQ Water had previously released modelling dated March showing dam levels falling to about 10 per cent if "; S16[14]=" all 13 emergency projects were implemented.
      The new modelling, dated May, predicted levels would hit 5 per cent if the western corridor "; S17[14]=" recycled water scheme did not deliver 110 megalitres a day to the region as planned.
      Recycled water and water from desalination are "; S18[14]=" expected to deliver almost half of the 500 megalitres a day of extra water needed to stop the region's three dams from running dry.
  "; S19[14]="     The 230 megalitre figure dwarfs the extra water expected from most other projects.
      The expensive drilling of Brisbane's aquifers is "; S20[14]=" expected to deliver only about 20 megalitres per day, water efficiency devices in homes and businesses another 20 megalitres per day, and the recommissioning of "; S21[14]=" Lake Manchester and Enoggera Reservoir 30 megalitres per day.
      Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said there hadn't been a sense of urgency around "; S22[14]=" state government departments and councils to address the water crisis.
      'If we get the same depressed rainfall patterns of the past four "; S23[14]=" or five years, and if a series of very important projects aren't delivered, on time, then yes, we can see a situation where we run "; S24[14]=" out of water and it concerns me greatly,' Cr Newman said.
      Natural Resources and Water Minister Henry Palaszczuk said drilling had started "; S25[14]=" in the Landsborough aquifer which could provide considerably more water than the 20 megalitres per day expected from the Brisbane Aquifer.
      He "; S26[14]=" said the Government also was giving councils $32 million to reduce water pressure and stop bursting mains... "; R[15]="901"; T[15]="Water compo is not income, say farmers"; A[15]="By ... Editor"; Dn[15]="20060613"; Dt[15]="Tuesday 13 June 2006"; Acats[15]="a07a40"; B1[15]="      Changes to the tax on payments made to farmers who give up water rights could prove a windfall to other resource industries, "; B2[15]="such as timber and fisheries... "; B3[15]=" "; B4[15]=" "; B5[15]=" "; S1[15]="      Changes to the tax on payments made to farmers who give up water rights could prove a windfall to other resource industries, "; S2[15]=" such as timber and fisheries.
      Irrigators are pushing the Government for tax relief on compensation for releasing water back into the nation's "; S3[15]=" stressed river systems, arguing the money should not be taxed as income because it is compensation for lost capital.
      But if approved "; S4[15]=" by the Government, the move could also benefit fishermen or loggers by setting a precedent for future governments needing to claw back licences.
    "; S5[15]="   Doug Miell, chief executive of the NSW Irrigators Council, said the issue had arisen because of historic over-allocation of rights to water in NSW.
"; S6[15]="       The NSW and federal governments had agreed to pay $110million to water users, such as farmers relying on irrigation, who lost rights "; S7[15]=" to part of the water they used.
      The National Farmers Federation and the irrigators council this week put a detailed argument to "; S8[15]=" John Howard about why the payments should not be taxed as income.
      The chairman of the Australian Seafood Industry Council, Bob Pennington, "; S9[15]=" said the same rules should apply to any compensation package for taking away fishing rights.
      'Water rights are in fact either granted "; S10[15]=" or bought and are tradable,' he said.
      'If they are a secure form of property, which I believe in most states they "; S11[15]=" are, they should be traded like any other property.' Fishing licences were property in exactly the same way as water rights, he said.
    "; S12[15]="   As a form of property, they were subject to stamp duty and - assuming they have grown in value since bought - capital gains "; S13[15]=" tax... "; R[16]="892"; T[16]="Voters must demand drought-proofing: Turnbull"; A[16]="By ... Editor"; Dn[16]="20060609"; Dt[16]="Friday 9 June 2006"; Acats[16]="a35a40a89"; B1[16]="      A meeting of business leaders aimed at addressing Australia's water shortages has been told state governments are plundering their water utilities.... "; B2[16]=" "; B3[16]=" "; B4[16]=" "; B5[16]=" "; S1[16]="      A meeting of business leaders aimed at addressing Australia's water shortages has been told state governments are plundering their water utilities.
  "; S2[16]="     The Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, has told the Council for Economic Development billions of dollars of water infrastructure "; S3[16]=" is needed as Australia's climate warms and dries.
      He says voters should demand state governments invest in recycling and desalination technology.
  "; S4[16]="     'All of our cities should be drought-proof,' Mr Turnbull said.
      'The only reason they are not drought-proof is because we "; S5[16]=" have not made the investment in our infrastructure to increase the water supply in those cities.
      'One of the reasons for that "; S6[16]=" is over many years the state governments have treated the water utilities like cash cows, often pulling hundreds of millions a year out in dividends "; S7[16]=" instead of investing that money in water infrastructure.'.. "; R[17]="890"; T[17]="Drop desalination plan: report"; A[17]="By ... Editor"; Dn[17]="20060609"; Dt[17]="Friday 9 June 2006"; Acats[17]="a40a43"; B1[17]="      The building of a desalination plant in Sydney would be unnecessary if better water recycling strategies were adopted, a New South Wales "; B2[17]="parliamentary committee has found... "; B3[17]=" "; B4[17]=" "; B5[17]=" "; S1[17]="      The building of a desalination plant in Sydney would be unnecessary if better water recycling strategies were adopted, a New South Wales "; S2[17]=" parliamentary committee has found.
      The report into sustainable water supply for Sydney has recommended the Government remove the Kurnell desalination plant's critical "; S3[17]=" infrastructure status, saying if the city better recycles greywater, sewage and stormwater, there will no need for the plant.
      Plans for the "; S4[17]=" desalination plant were recently put on the backburner after widespread protest, but the Government has said if dam levels fall below 30 per cent then "; S5[17]=" it will proceed with the plant.
      'The committee believes that if the Government develops good water initiatives, the likelihood of Sydney ever "; S6[17]=" needing a desalination plant is small,' said the report, which was released today.
      'There are clearly opportunities for Sydney to reuse wastewater "; S7[17]=" that would have previously been discharged into the environment, thereby greatly enhancing the sustainability of Sydney's water supply.' Chair of the committee, Greens Upper House "; S8[17]=" MP Ian Cohen said recycling strategies could resolve Sydney's water crisis.
      'This report clearly indicates that with a suite of strategies that "; S9[17]=" we can actually resolve many of the problems that we are facing Sydney with its water supply at the current time,' Mr Cohen said.
  "; S10[17]="     'The desalination plant is clearly unnecessary to boost Sydney's water supply at this point at time.
      'We don't have a "; S11[17]=" shortage of water here, we have a shortage of proper usage of that water.' Nationals leader Andrew Stoner called on the Government to drop its "; S12[17]=" desalination plans and harvest stormwater.
      'Labor should immediately heed the call of the committee ...
      and implement large scale "; S13[17]=" recycling for industrial and agricultural use,' he said.
      Water Utilities Minister David Campbell said water recycling was at the heart of the "; S14[17]=" government's 2006 Metropolitan Water plan, and the Kurnell desalination plant would only be built as a last resort.
      'Recycling is the focus "; S15[17]=" of the Iemma Government and by 2015 the current volume of recycled water will increase more than fourfold to 70 billion litres each year,' he "; S16[17]=" said.
      'A desalination plant will only be built if dam levels of around 30 per cent are reached.
      'This "; S17[17]=" is unlikely, because of our considerable storage capacity and the mix of other measures that we now know will secure our water supply, including the "; S18[17]=" focus on recycling.'.. "; R[18]="879"; T[18]="After four years, the Murray opens its mouth again to the sea"; A[18]="By ... Editor"; Dn[18]="20060609"; Dt[18]="Friday 9 June 2006"; Acats[18]="a40a42"; B1[18]="      The wind is up, the water is deep and, for the first time in nearly four years, there is now a clear "; B2[18]="current of seawater flowing through the Murray mouth to the Coorong estuary... "; B3[18]=" "; B4[18]=" "; B5[18]=" "; S1[18]="      The wind is up, the water is deep and, for the first time in nearly four years, there is now a clear "; S2[18]=" current of seawater flowing through the Murray mouth to the Coorong estuary.
      Dredges have cleared millions of tonnes of silt and sand "; S3[18]=" from the mouth since October 2002 at a cost of more than $18 million.
      Two canals now run from the sea into "; S4[18]=" the Coorong and Goolwa channels.
      The Murray mouth and Coorong are regarded as key barometers for the health of the river - "; S5[18]=" alongside the Chowilla floodplain near Renmark and the lower Murray lakes - and extra flows from the Hume and Dartmouth dams have helped clear the "; S6[18]=" sand and silt.
      South Australia will receive 2310 gigalitres of water in the 12 months to June 30.
      This "; S7[18]=" is well below the long-term average annual flow of 4800 gigalitres but substantially above the 1870 gigalitres of flows in the past year.
    "; S8[18]="   The Rann Government has pushed for extra flows and has guaranteed an initial 13 gigalitres being returned to the river system from government water "; S9[18]=" licences.
      Premier Mike Rann wants to inject 35gigalitres from South Australia as part of a national agreement on returning water to the "; S10[18]=" Murray.
      Minister for the Murray Karlene Maywald said water levels in neighbouring Lake Alexandrina were high and it was very likely there "; S11[18]=" would be 'sustained releases' through the barrages near the mouth over the next few months.
      This would further reduce the amount of "; S12[18]=" sand entering the mouth, she said.
      The dredges have operated non-stop 24 hours a day, seven days a week, though the schedule "; S13[18]=" was cut by 30 per cent in March after satellite images showed the sand movement was slowing and the channels were taking shape.
    "; S14[18]="   For all its beauty, the mouth contains some of the most treacherous shallow water in the state.
      Boaties such as Mike "; S15[18]=" O'Reilly say that when the tide is running out of the mouth there is a whirlpool effect where hundreds of kilometres of water is trying "; S16[18]=" to squeeze out a small opening.
      Other locals say millions of dollars have been lost to the boating industry around the mouth "; S17[18]=" because access to the Coorong has been restricted since the Anzac Day weekend.
      'It's affecting the marine industry around here terribly,' said "; S18[18]=" Keith Parkes, who is the vice-commodore of Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club and runs a successful business in the township.
      'People don't use "; S19[18]=" boats or they just take them elsewhere.' Ms Maywald's office said that safety remained an issue around the mouth, even with one dredge decommissioned in "; S20[18]=" the next three months.
      Submerged pipes and infrastructure could damage boats passing into the Coorong... "; R[19]="871"; T[19]="Can domestic bores help save our drinking water?"; A[19]="By ... CSIRO"; Dn[19]="20060609"; Dt[19]="Friday 9 June 2006"; Acats[19]="a40a93"; B1[19]="      Too much of our precious drinking water is still being used to water Perth gardens, according to CSIRO's Dr Tony Smith.... "; B2[19]=" "; B3[19]=" "; B4[19]=" "; B5[19]=" "; S1[19]="      Too much of our precious drinking water is still being used to water Perth gardens, according to CSIRO's Dr Tony Smith.
  "; S2[19]="     Dr Smith will present results from a study of Perth's groundwater levels at a public seminar today (June 8) at CSIRO's Floreat Laboratories "; S3[19]=" in Perth.
      One solution to the problem of dwindling water supply was to increase the number of garden bores in Perth's suburbs, "; S4[19]=" but given Perth's drying climate there is a doubt as to whether this is sustainable.
      'Perth people know all about domestic bores "; S5[19]=" because about a third of all gardens use groundwater from the shallow sandy aquifer,' Dr Smith says.
      'However, millions of litres of "; S6[19]=" drinking water are still being used to keep lawns and gardens green.' Dr Smith says Perth's groundwater supply is facing some serious threats, and that "; S7[19]=" good data is essential to understand the resource and manage it wisely.
      'More than 80 per cent of all the water used "; S8[19]=" in Perth comes from groundwater,' he says.
      'Less than 20 per cent now comes from the hills catchment, which historically was Perth's "; S9[19]=" main water supply.
      Around 45 per cent of the total water supply is treated to drinking water quality but it's not all "; S10[19]=" used for drinking.
      'Encouraging more garden bores is one way to preserve precious scheme water for drinking uses.
      However, "; S11[19]=" we need to know how many bores the aquifer can support without unacceptable impacts on groundwater dependent ecosystems and other uses such as public open "; S12[19]=" space.
      About 16,000 rebates have been issued for drilling bores since February 2003, equivalent to around 14 bores per day.' Dr Smith "; S13[19]=" says the biggest threats to Perth's groundwater are seawater incursion into the aquifer, the loss of valuable wetlands, and soil and groundwater acidification.
    "; S14[19]="   'It's a careful balancing act,' he says.
      'We can't draw so much out that it is replaced by seawater at the "; S15[19]=" coast, or wetlands dry up, or that acid sulphate soils are exposed to the air.
      Natural replenishment of groundwater by seasonal rainfall "; S16[19]=" and by directing runoff from roofs and roads into the aquifer can prevent this happening, but only if the balance is maintained.' Dr Smith's team "; S17[19]=" examined more than 500 monitoring bore records in the greater Perth region.
      It concluded that there were some suburbs where increasing the "; S18[19]=" number of bores could lead to less drinking water being used on domestic gardens.
      The study also identified suburbs where increased extraction "; S19[19]=" would not be viable if the current rate of watertable decline continued.
      In these areas, more bores would only be possible if "; S20[19]=" they, and the declining levels, were offset by more efficient use of the water by current bore owners.
      The research team used "; S21[19]=" data from the past 10 years, and looked at what they termed freshwater 'thickness' at 543 sites in the Superficial Aquifer.
      'We "; S22[19]=" found that the level was stable beneath only 14 per cent of the study area,' Dr Smith says.
      'It was falling beneath "; S23[19]=" more than 40 per cent of the area, and rising at only one per cent.
      'Importantly, we couldn't assess almost half of "; S24[19]=" the greater Perth region because of a lack of historical water level data.
      'It's essential that we fill in the information gaps, "; S25[19]=" and a project managed by the Swan Catchment Council is starting to address this deficiency.' The drier climate is likely to be a significant factor "; S26[19]=" in causing the decline in levels in the past 10 years, something that is also happening in the Gnangara Mound, north of Perth.
    "; S27[19]="   Increased urban infill, which increases recharge in most areas, is likely to have mitigated the impact of a drier climate.
      A "; S28[19]=" new study is planned to identify opportunities to direct more stormwater into the aquifer to rectify the falling levels.
      The research supporting "; S29[19]=" the report: Opportunity for Additional Self Supply of Groundwater from the Superficial Aquifer beneath Metropolitan Perth was carried out by CSIRO, the Water Corporation, and "; S30[19]=" the Department of Water, through the Water for a Healthy Country Flagship... "; R[20]="844"; T[20]="No money for dams, but farmers uneasy"; A[20]="By ... Editor"; Dn[20]="20060607"; Dt[20]="Wednesday 7 June 2006"; Acats[20]="a05a40a66"; B1[20]="      More than $1 billion of government funds will be spent in coming years on two mega-dams for Queensland's heavily populated southeast corner "; B2[20]="- but there was virtually no money for them in yesterday's budget... "; B3[20]=" "; B4[20]=" "; B5[20]=" "; S1[20]="      More than $1 billion of government funds will be spent in coming years on two mega-dams for Queensland's heavily populated southeast corner "; S2[20]=" - but there was virtually no money for them in yesterday's budget.
      The only allocation to date is $50 million for emergency "; S3[20]=" purchases at the Traveston Dam site in the Noosa hinterland, north of Brisbane, while no money has been set aside for a dam in the "; S4[20]=" Rathdowney area, south of Brisbane.
      For cattle farmers Karen and Hans Masen, who are facing the possibility of seeing their farm disappear "; S5[20]=" under a dam, the budget gives no peace of mind.
      They want the Queensland Government to spend taxpayer funds on fixing the "; S6[20]=" state's dwindling water supplies.
      But the Government's decision to build one of two proposed dams in their backyard near Beaudesert is, in "; S7[20]=" their opinion, a ridiculous waste of money.
      'Here, it's as dry as a bone,' Mrs Masen, 40, said from her 160ha farm "; S8[20]=" in Rathdowney, west of Beaudesert, yesterday.
      'There is no rainfall here.
      If this dam goes through, it will be "; S9[20]=" the third dam within about 30km, all near-empty.
      'The Government should instead be looking at ways to recycle water, install more rain "; S10[20]=" tanks or keep the existing dams and pipe water from there.
      People would be happy with that.
      We have "; S11[20]=" had a water problem for years and the silly thing about this proposed dam is that it is not going to fix it.' Mr Masen, "; S12[20]=" 46, who is the fifth generation of his family to run the property, said the proposed dam had already been knocked back twice - most "; S13[20]=" recently in 1991 - because the water flows were inadequate.
      'If this was a mighty river that would save southeast Queensland, I "; S14[20]=" would understand the Government wanting to build a dam here,' Mr Masen said.
      'But it is not.
      The Maroon "; S15[20]=" dam nearby is practically empty - this is nothing but a stupid idea.' While $600 million has been allocated in the budget to water projects, "; S16[20]=" more than half of this is for projects to help the mining industry in the Bowen Basin in central Queensland.
      But water "; S17[20]=" supplies are running low in southeast Queensland, with the most populated region due to move to tougher water restrictions next week... "; R[21]="836"; T[21]="CSIRO report urges rural, urban water trading"; A[21]="By ... Editor"; Dn[21]="20060606"; Dt[21]="Tuesday 6 June 2006"; Acats[21]="a08a40"; B1[21]="      A major scientific report says city water authorities should be allowed to buy water from farmers to sustain the growing urban population.... "; B2[21]=" "; B3[21]=" "; B4[21]=" "; B5[21]=" "; S1[21]="      A major scientific report says city water authorities should be allowed to buy water from farmers to sustain the growing urban population.
"; S2[21]="       The CSIRO says without reform, water costs in metropolitan areas could rise more than 10 times over the next 25 years.
  "; S3[21]="     The report from the CSIRO and Monash University predicts Perth, Brisbane and Sydney will be the worst affected cities with the price of "; S4[21]=" water jumping up to 10 times unless better reforms are put in place.
      Three models have been tested and CSIRO says "; S5[21]=" the most successful would be a combination of urban and rural water trading, alongside more efficient water use including desalination plants.
      "; S6[21]=" And while farmers could make a lot of money from water trading, the system would change the face of agriculture in Australia.
      "; S7[21]=" The CSIRO's Mike Young says urban/rural water trading is already working in South Australia and WA farmers are leading the way in saving water.
"; S8[21]="       'Agriculture's a lot more skilful in improving water use efficiency and in 25 years time they've made a 50 per cent "; S9[21]=" greater advance than urban Australia, so there's a challenge for urban Australia to catch up and show they're actually as smart as our farmers are,' "; S10[21]=" Mr Young said.
      Bit some irrigators are worried about the social impact of water being diverted into the capital cities.
    "; S11[21]="   Although he believes some form of water trading with the cities is inevitable, Victorian dairy farmer Max Fehring says governments need to make sure "; S12[21]=" urban residents share the cost of water infrastructure with rural communities.
      'I think they've got some social responsibility if they wish to "; S13[21]=" exercise their right to water, that they make sure that those communities affected by this change are well looked after,' he said... "; R[22]="825"; T[22]="Split over Queensland Water"; A[22]="By ... Editor"; Dn[22]="20060605"; Dt[22]="Monday 5 June 2006"; Acats[22]="a40a66"; B1[22]="      Almost half of all Queenslanders believe the State Government has bungled the planning, management and provision of the state's dwindling water supplies.... "; B2[22]=" "; B3[22]=" "; B4[22]=" "; B5[22]=" "; S1[22]="      Almost half of all Queenslanders believe the State Government has bungled the planning, management and provision of the state's dwindling water supplies.
"; S2[22]="       An exclusive TNS poll conducted for The Courier-Mail has revealed 47 per cent of Queenslanders are unhappy with the Government over water.
"; S3[22]="       The poll, conducted last week, shows Queensland residents dissatisfied with the Government are spread evenly between rural areas and the southeast corner.
"; S4[22]="       And the anger is likely to worsen when Level 3 restrictions begin in the southeast for 900,000 households.
      From "; S5[22]=" June 13, Brisbane City Council and 11 other local government areas will restrict their residents to buckets for washing their cars and watering their gardens.
"; S6[22]="       But the poll shows 28 per cent of Queenslanders are satisfied with the Government's handling of the issue while 3 per cent "; S7[22]=" are extremely satisfied.
      A significant proportion, 20 per cent, remain undecided about the water issue.
      Premier Peter Beattie yesterday "; S8[22]=" conceded water was a growing issue but it was wrong to blame his government.
      Mr Beattie said most people understood that Queensland "; S9[22]=" was in the grip of a one-in-100 year drought and that climate change had impacted heavily on predicted rainfall.
      'You can't blame "; S10[22]=" government or councils for that,' he said.
      'We are not God.
      We can't make it rain.
      "; S11[22]=" But we have got plans.' On Friday, it was revealed recycled sewage might be pumped into Brisbane dams to top up levels, however the Government "; S12[22]=" has insisted this will only be used as a last resort.
      The Government recently announced it planned to build two new dams "; S13[22]=" by 2011 to service southeast Queensland.
      One of the proposed dams, located at Traveston near Gympie, has spawned a hail of criticism.
"; S14[22]="       The Opposition has promised to build four dams in the next five years but has ditched the Traveston Dam proposal... "; R[23]="821"; T[23]="Water woes set to drain economy"; A[23]="By ... Editor"; Dn[23]="20060605"; Dt[23]="Monday 5 June 2006"; Acats[23]="a05a07a40"; B1[23]="      Australia faces dramatic price increases for water, coupled with massive economic losses in rural areas unless major cities find new ways to "; B2[23]="recycle or trade water, a CSIRO report issued today warns... "; B3[23]=" "; B4[23]=" "; B5[23]=" "; S1[23]="      Australia faces dramatic price increases for water, coupled with massive economic losses in rural areas unless major cities find new ways to "; S2[23]=" recycle or trade water, a CSIRO report issued today warns.
      In the next 25 years, Australia is expected to have an "; S3[23]=" extra five million people, living mostly in large cities, but climate change is also predicted to cause a 15 per cent drop in water supplies "; S4[23]=" over the same period, the report says.
      The cost of water in the ACT could treble within 25 years to meet "; S5[23]=" the demands of a population growth rate of 6 per cent.
      In Perth, the price of water 'would need to increase "; S6[23]=" by about 10 times' to manage the demands, and Sydney could expect current prices to rise by just over $6 a kilolitre.
      "; S7[23]=" The economic study says unless state governments invest in building desalination plants, sewage recycling and stormwater collection schemes, increasing water scarcity will 'cause significant "; S8[23]=" changes in the economy'.
      Parliamentary secretary for water Malcolm Turnbull said the report's conclusions were 'fairly obvious common sense', and emphasised "; S9[23]=" the need to investigate urban water recycling options, and improve the water efficiency of existing irrigation infrastructure.
      But farming groups and "; S10[23]=" conservationists want governments to take tougher action to reduce urban water waste, claiming 80 per cent of water used in major cities is discharged to "; S11[23]=" ocean outfall as sewage or stormwater.
      WWF Australia water policy director Dr Stuart Blanch said, 'If you add the populations of "; S12[23]=" major cities currently on water restrictions that means at least 15 million people are affected.
      It gives some idea of the magnitude "; S13[23]=" of the problem.' Australian Conservation Foundation director Dr Don Henry said the report showed strong targets were needed to cut urban water waste.
  "; S14[23]="     'We need to aim for an early target of at least 50 per cent reuse and recycling of sewage and stormwater.
  "; S15[23]="     It's achievable,' he said.
      The CSIRO report warns future growth in city water consumption 'comes at a cost to "; S16[23]=" rural areas', with cities potentially needing to divert 240 gigalitres of water from rural areas to meet urban demand.
      This could "; S17[23]=" result in high economic losses from 5 to 11 per cent for some NSW irrigation regions, including the Murrumbidgee.
      CSIRO economist "; S18[23]=" Professor Mike Young said people had been shocked by the numbers and economic scenarios in the report.
      'The good news is "; S19[23]=" high water prices can be avoided if we get on with the business of building recycling and desalination plants, and allow water trading between urban "; S20[23]=" and rural Australia,' Professor Young said.
      'But if governments adopt a steady-as-she-goes approach and don't invest in major water treatment infrastructure, "; S21[23]=" the real price of water will become a major issue over the next quarter of a century.'.. "; R[24]="818"; T[24]="Water Desalination Plant too Late"; A[24]="By ... Editor"; Dn[24]="20060605"; Dt[24]="Monday 5 June 2006"; Acats[24]="a40"; B1[24]="      A water desalination plant planned for the Gold Coast will be delayed by at least a year.... "; B2[24]=" "; B3[24]=" "; B4[24]=" "; B5[24]=" "; S1[24]="      A water desalination plant planned for the Gold Coast will be delayed by at least a year.
      SEQWater's drought "; S2[24]=" contingency strategy had aimed for the plant, designed to convert 120 million litres a day, to be on line by June 2008.
      "; S3[24]=" Brisbane is due to run out of water three months after that.
      But Gold Coast Water yesterday announced the plant, to be "; S4[24]=" built at Tugun, would not be ready until June 2009.
      The miscalculation leaves an annual 'water gap' of 40 billion litres in "; S5[24]=" the state's strategy - nearly half of all the water saved by the region's homeowners this year.
      'I think it's horrifying,' said "; S6[24]=" Brisbane councillor Jane Prentice, the Lord Mayor's water spokeswoman.
      'We're below 5 per cent (of Wivenhoe Dam capacity) when that desalination plant "; S7[24]=" was to go into effect.
      It was going to save us.
      'Obviously this is a serious concern.
    "; S8[24]="   The Lord Mayor (Campbell Newman) and I have been predicting some of these projects are slipping, and we're keen that there be no more "; S9[24]=" slippage.' Cr Prentice said the miscalculation should have been caught, because increasing the plant from 55 million litres a day had been discussed for several "; S10[24]=" months.
      'We've been talking about the increased capacity for more than a year,' she said.
      'We're supposed to have "; S11[24]=" experts looking at this.' The capacity of the plant has been doubled, requiring a longer pipeline, which has blown out the time estimate.
    "; S12[24]="   Gold Coast Water CEO Shaun Cox said a desalination plant in Singapore had taken two years to build and had not required an outfall "; S13[24]=" pipe more than 1km long like Tugun's did.
      Cr Prentice said the state should speed up work on the Western Corridor Recycled "; S14[24]=" Water Scheme, under which water treated in Brisbane would be piped to the Swanbank and Tarong power plants, eliminating the need for them to use "; S15[24]=" water from Wivenhoe.
      Brisbane City Council has estimated 100 megalitres a day could be saved in indoor water consumption if the state "; S16[24]=" offered $300 million in homeowner rebates for water-saving devices.
      The state has budgeted only $20 million for retrofitting, half of which will "; S17[24]=" go to industry.
      Projections of future dam capacities are based on minimal inflows into the Wivenhoe system... "; R[25]="814"; T[25]="PM pulling out of Snowy sale"; A[25]="By ... Editor"; Dn[25]="20060605"; Dt[25]="Monday 5 June 2006"; Acats[25]="a05a40"; B1[25]="      The Federal Government is pulling out of the sale of Snowy Hydro, Prime Minister John Howard said last week.... "; B2[25]=" "; B3[25]=" "; B4[25]=" "; B5[25]=" "; S1[25]="      The Federal Government is pulling out of the sale of Snowy Hydro, Prime Minister John Howard said last week.
      "; S2[25]=" 'The Commonwealth has decided to withdraw from the sale of the Snowy Hydro,' he told reporters.
      'We will no longer have our "; S3[25]=" 13 per cent share on offer.' The Federal Government initially decided to sell its 13 per cent interest in the Snowy scheme after the NSW "; S4[25]=" and Victorian governments announced they would sell their larger stakes.
      But the proposed privatisation has come in for strong opposition from the "; S5[25]=" public and some Government MPs, and prominent Australians have also spoken out against the plan.
      Mr Howard said the Government had been "; S6[25]=" swayed to change its mind.
      'There is, for whatever combination of reasons, there is overwhelming feeling in the community that the Snowy "; S7[25]=" is an icon, it's part of the great saga of post world War II development in Australia,' he said.
      'It conjures many "; S8[25]=" stories of tens of thousands of European migrants coming and blending with each other and in the process of working on the Snowy becoming part "; S9[25]=" of this country.
      And people feel that.
      'I have listened to that, and it is important that on occasions "; S10[25]=" a government have both the courage and the willingness to change its mind on something.'.. "; R[26]="794"; T[26]="Snowy uproar forces sale legislation"; A[26]="By ... Editor"; Dn[26]="20060601"; Dt[26]="Thursday 1 June 2006"; Acats[26]="a05a40"; B1[26]="      Canberra has been forced to legislate to underpin the $3 billion float of Snowy Hydro after legal experts and the Howard Government's "; B2[26]="own back bench questioned the controversial privatisation plan... "; B3[26]=" "; B4[26]=" "; B5[26]=" "; S1[26]="      Canberra has been forced to legislate to underpin the $3 billion float of Snowy Hydro after legal experts and the Howard Government's "; S2[26]=" own back bench questioned the controversial privatisation plan.
      Finance Minister Nick Minchin yesterday said the Government would introduce legislation 'reaffirming the authority' "; S3[26]=" of the Commonwealth to sell its share.
      It will also cap future foreign ownership in Snowy at 35 per cent and require "; S4[26]=" the company to keep its headquarters in Australia.
      But rebel Coalition MPs are still not happy with the package.
      "; S5[26]=" NSW Nationals MP Kay Hull was last night reserving her right to press ahead with a private member's bill to ensure that no company - "; S6[26]=" Australian or foreign-owned - could gain more than 10 per cent of Snowy.
      She said she remained 'vehemently opposed' to the sale.
"; S7[26]="       And Liberal senator Bill Heffernan said the NSW Government must legislate a cap to stop Australian companies getting a controlling stake of "; S8[26]=" Snowy.
      'We need to harmonise a domestic cap with the foreign cap to address the concerns of irrigators about this sale,' Senator "; S9[26]=" Heffernan said.
      But Senator Minchin rebuffed the push and a spokesman for the NSW Government branded the proposal 'quite ridiculous'.
    "; S10[26]="   The spokesman said NSW would continue in separate negotiations with the Australian Stock Exchange to ensure Australian companies would not be able to acquire "; S11[26]=" more than 10 per cent of Snowy for the next four years.
      The Federal Government's internal disquiet over the privatisation plan spilled "; S12[26]=" over into an emotional debate in yesterday's Coalition party room meeting, with a number of MPs - including representatives from well outside the Snowy area, "; S13[26]=" such as far north Queensland's Warren Entsch - saying they had received complaints from constituents that Canberra was selling one of Australia's iconic engineering projects.
"; S14[26]="       On the other side of politics, one federal Labor MP, Tasmania's Duncan Kerr, told the caucus gathering that Labor would not be "; S15[26]=" thanked for backing the sale.
      The Government's efforts to contain the political fallout of the Snowy sale and protect the investment of "; S16[26]=" future shareholders follows fierce lobbying spearheaded by Senator Heffernan and Ms Hull.
      The Age revealed in March that they were mounting a "; S17[26]=" last-minute rebellion against the Snowy sale.
      The legal questions were exposed last week.
      Legal experts said Canberra had not "; S18[26]=" secured appropriate parliamentary approval for the sale before putting its 13 per cent stake on the market.
      Labor and the Greens yesterday "; S19[26]=" said the proposed legislation was an attempt by the Government to cover its mistake in not securing appropriate authority.
      'The bill is "; S20[26]=" an admission the minister was wrong,' Greens senator Bob Brown said... "; R[27]="783"; T[27]="Reward the water wise"; A[27]="By ... Editor"; Dn[27]="20060601"; Dt[27]="Thursday 1 June 2006"; Acats[27]="a40"; B1[27]="      Rainwater tanks would be mandatory in new Queensland homes and households would be offered cash rebates to be water wise, under a "; B2[27]="plan by the State Opposition... "; B3[27]=" "; B4[27]=" "; B5[27]=" "; S1[27]="      Rainwater tanks would be mandatory in new Queensland homes and households would be offered cash rebates to be water wise, under a "; S2[27]=" plan by the State Opposition.
      A coalition government would also fast-track $500 million in southeast Queensland water infrastructure, including dams, as part "; S3[27]=" of a plan to tackle the state's growing water crisis.
      Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg today plans to detail his party's water policy, "; S4[27]=" which will include a $100 million kitty to fund 'green rebates' for Queenslanders who install tanks and other water-friendly devices in their homes.
    "; S5[27]="   A cornerstone of the policy is the requirement for rainwater tanks to be installed in all new homes built where there is a reticulated "; S6[27]=" water supply.
      'It will take the pressure off the supplies and people will become a little more self-sufficient.
      It's "; S7[27]=" a commonsense way of being able to get more water quickly,' he said.
      'It will take years to build dams .
  "; S8[27]="     .
      .
      but one of the ways you can actually start conserving water is to catch what's "; S9[27]=" falling off people's roofs.' Mr Springborg said the proposal could save billions of litres and would be rolled out first in southeast Queensland.
    "; S10[27]="   Rebates would also be offered to Queenslanders who purchased other water-saving devices such as AAA-rated showerheads, water-efficient washing machines, swimming pool covers, dual-flush toilets "; S11[27]=" and water flow regulators.
      The Opposition estimates the installation of these devices as part of the rebate scheme could save more than "; S12[27]=" 150,000 litres of water each year.
      Mr Springborg said it was essential to implement short-term water-saving policies while longer-term projects such as "; S13[27]=" dams would take time being built.
      'We know that we need dams .
      .
      .
  "; S14[27]="     but we're still looking at five years down the track and we've got a water crisis that's going to be hitting in a "; S15[27]=" few months,' he said.
      Today's policy will be the first major infrastructure announcement by the Coalition and is expected to detail significant "; S16[27]=" water projects.
      The $500 million in water infrastructure is likely to include dam sites other than those already flagged by the Beattie "; S17[27]=" Labor Government on the Mary River at Traveston and near Rathdowney.
      The Opposition has already promised it will fast-track construction of the "; S18[27]=" Wyaralong Dam, between Boonah and Jimboomba, southwest of Brisbane.
      It is expected to build on the $1 billion in dams planned by "; S19[27]=" the previous Coalition Government eight years ago, but has confirmed it could not resurrect the Wolffdene dam... "; R[28]="780"; T[28]="NFF Voices Serious Concerns about Snowy Sell-off"; A[28]="By ... NFF"; Dn[28]="20060601"; Dt[28]="Thursday 1 June 2006"; Acats[28]="a05a40"; B1[28]="      The National Farmers' Federation (NFF) today strongly urged all levels of government to protect the rights of Australian farmers if the sale "; B2[28]="of the Snowy Hydro goes ahead... "; B3[28]=" "; B4[28]=" "; B5[28]=" "; S1[28]="      The National Farmers' Federation (NFF) today strongly urged all levels of government to protect the rights of Australian farmers if the sale "; S2[28]=" of the Snowy Hydro goes ahead.
      'Certainty of irrigation entitlements is a key plank of the National Water Initiative (NWI).
    "; S3[28]="   We are asking whether these entitlements and associated annual water allocations will be affected by the sale,' NFF President, Mr Peter Corish said.
  "; S4[28]="     'NFF is very concerned that privatising the Snowy will place significant pressure on the timing of water releases to coincide with maximising power "; S5[28]=" generation.
      We fear that little regard will be given to the important role the Snowy plays in supporting agriculture activities.
    "; S6[28]="   'Serious consideration needs to be given to the future value of water as currently, electricity generation forms the basis of the sale.
    "; S7[28]="   In the proposal, management of the water is seen only as a secondary consideration.
      'Water could potentially be worth much more "; S8[28]=" than the sale of the electricity it generates.
      NFF has questions about what that means for agriculture.
      'NFF members "; S9[28]=" are also concerned that the proposed 10% ownership cap applies for just four years.
      In the interests of ensuring ongoing security and "; S10[28]=" stakeholder confidence in water management in Australia, the terms of the sale should include that the cap applies in perpetuity.
      'Certainly there "; S11[28]=" are questions surrounding what privatisation of the Snowy means in the context of the current risk assignment framework of the NWI, particularly in relation to "; S12[28]=" environmental flows.
      'Not only must governments consider how these issues are going to be managed, but also how the funds generated from "; S13[28]=" the proposed sale might be allocated.
      NFF believes that these funds should be used to safeguard the environment, irrigation water and the "; S14[28]=" future of the communities that rely on the Snowy.' The NFF Policy Council will formally consider this issue on 14-15 June... "; R[29]="773"; T[29]="PM firm on selling Snowy"; A[29]="By ... Editor"; Dn[29]="20060526"; Dt[29]="Friday 26 May 2006"; Acats[29]="a05a40a42a91"; B1[29]="      The privatisation of the Snowy hydro scheme was a 'very good result' for the environment, electricity consumers and for the region, the "; B2[29]="Prime Minister said yesterday... "; B3[29]=" "; B4[29]=" "; B5[29]=" "; S1[29]="      The privatisation of the Snowy hydro scheme was a 'very good result' for the environment, electricity consumers and for the region, the "; S2[29]=" Prime Minister said yesterday.
      John Howard told parliament he was 'not disposed' to change his position on supporting the sale of the "; S3[29]=" hydro-electric scheme, which he said was based on 'pretty sound' legal grounds.
      But Mr Howard admitted he expected those against the sale, "; S4[29]=" including his 'good colleague' Bill Heffernan, to put their arguments to him 'forcefully'.
      He would listen to those with concerns, 'and respond "; S5[29]=" as best I can', he told parliament after returning from his overseas trip.
      Mr Howard said the Government would sell its minority "; S6[29]=" share in Snowy Hydro because the majority shareholder, NSW, would sell with or without federal support.
      'We are selling because we are "; S7[29]=" very confident that the sale will not affect water flows for irrigation and the environment in any way.
      'Snowy Hydro does not "; S8[29]=" own any water itself; the public owns the water.' Snowy Hydro had a 75-year licence to make use of the water with strict requirements, he "; S9[29]=" said.
      'The private sector is best at running businesses, not government.
      Our responsibility is to make certain that the "; S10[29]=" regulatory regime protects the stakeholders.' The NSW, Victorian and federal governments could gain a total of up to $3 billion when they sell their Snowy "; S11[29]=" stakes.
      Senator Heffernan believes Mr Howard would be worried that some of the measures put in place by the vendors to protect "; S12[29]=" the Australian identity of Snowy Hydro appeared to be crumbling... "; R[30]="756"; T[30]="Climate change to turn off the tap for Murrumbidgee"; A[30]="By ... Editor"; Dn[30]="20060526"; Dt[30]="Friday 26 May 2006"; Acats[30]="a40a89"; B1[30]="      Climate change is a bigger threat to water supplies in the Murray-Darling Basin than irrigated farming, with flows in the lower Murrumbidgee "; B2[30]="River predicted to drop by more than half, according to a new CSIRO report... "; B3[30]=" "; B4[30]=" "; B5[30]=" "; S1[30]="      Climate change is a bigger threat to water supplies in the Murray-Darling Basin than irrigated farming, with flows in the lower Murrumbidgee "; S2[30]=" River predicted to drop by more than half, according to a new CSIRO report.
      In the ACT's neighbouring regions, the volume "; S3[30]=" of water flowing into Burrinjuck and Blowering dams in the upper Murrumbidgee catchment was likely to fall by 23 per cent over the next 40 "; S4[30]=" years, causing flow reductions of 52per cent in the lower Murrumbidgee River.
      'It's certainly a big drop, and clever water management "; S5[30]=" will be critical to avoid extreme river droughts during periods of low flow,' the report's principal author, CSIRO Land and Water hydrologist Dr Albert van "; S6[30]=" Dijk said.
      Canberra could also expect to face increased pressure on its water supplies, with decreases in autumn and winter rainfall "; S7[30]=" and rising temperatures.
      Decreases in autumn rainfall of up to 15mm per decade have been measured in the Murrumbidgee's headwaters in "; S8[30]=" Kosciuszko National Park.
      'The climate around Canberra is becoming drier and the region is facing some of the strongest pressures on "; S9[30]=" water quality and quantity from increased bushfire risk, climate change and forestry,' Dr van Dijk said.
      The CSIRO report coincides with "; S10[30]=" new research from the University of California that warned global warming was happening at a faster rate than anticipated.
      Researchers said "; S11[30]=" that while current models predicted temperature increases of 1.5 to 4.5 degrees from a doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, these estimates ignored changes in "; S12[30]=" the earth's system that released additional carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as a natural response to global warming.
      This could lead to "; S13[30]=" temperature increases of up to six degrees.
      University of California energy and resources professor John Harte said, 'We are underestimating the "; S14[30]=" magnitude of warming, because we are ignoring the extra carbon dioxide dumped into the atmosphere because of warming.
      'Warming gets an "; S15[30]=" extra kick from carbon dioxide feedback.' The CSIRO report, compiled by the Water for a Healthy Country national research flagship, said climate change would "; S16[30]=" seriously impact on water quality across the Murray-Darling basin, with higher temperatures and lower river flows causing an increase in toxic algal blooms.
    "; S17[30]="   'Of the six risks that we looked at, climate change is certainly the biggest risk, but also the most uncertain,' Dr van Dijk "; S18[30]=" said.
      The six risks assessed were climate change, changes in stream flow caused by forestry plantations, groundwater extraction, irrigation, farm dams "; S19[30]=" and bushfires.
      Farm dams, forestry plantations and groundwater pumping were found to have a potentially greater impact on reducing river flows "; S20[30]=" than irrigated farming.
      The report said 'groundwater stores are declining at an alarming rate' , with 327gigalitres of annual stream flow "; S21[30]=" already lost because of groundwater pumping.
      Forestry plantations could reduce water yields by up to 1400 gigalitres each year, causing some "; S22[30]=" streams to 'dry up completely'.
      The number of farm dams in the basin had increased by 37 per cent in the "; S23[30]=" past decade, reducing river flows by 1900 gigalitres a year.
      Dr van Dijk said satellite images showed the greatest increase in "; S24[30]=" farm dams was near major cities.
      'It's not clear at this stage, but it is possible that most of these are "; S25[30]=" for hobby farms,' he said.
      The World Wildlife Fund Australia has called for 'a massive nation-building project' on a similar scale "; S26[30]=" to the Snowy Hydro scheme to accelerate efforts to return water to the Murray-Darling basin rivers.
      WWF freshwater policy director Dr "; S27[30]=" Stuart Blanch said water was being stripped out of the basin's rivers at a rate comparable to 'turning off the tap at the top of "; S28[30]=" the catchment'.
      One third of the Murray River's inflows came from the Murrumbidgee River, and lower flows caused by climate change "; S29[30]=" would be largely born by the environment, not by irrigators whose water entitlements were secure, he said.
      'If flows in the "; S30[30]=" lower Murrumbidgee are projected to drop by half, we could be looking at a scenario where the river becomes hydrologically separated from the Murray.
  "; R[31]="742"; T[31]="Reward the water wise"; A[31]="By ... Editor"; Dn[31]="20060523"; Dt[31]="Tuesday 23 May 2006"; Acats[31]="a40"; B1[31]="      Rainwater tanks would be mandatory in new Queensland homes and households would be offered cash rebates to be water wise, under a "; B2[31]="plan by the State Opposition... "; B3[31]=" "; B4[31]=" "; B5[31]=" "; S1[31]="      Rainwater tanks would be mandatory in new Queensland homes and households would be offered cash rebates to be water wise, under a "; S2[31]=" plan by the State Opposition.
      A coalition government would also fast-track $500 million in southeast Queensland water infrastructure, including dams, as part "; S3[31]=" of a plan to tackle the state's growing water crisis.
      Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg today plans to detail his party's water policy, "; S4[31]=" which will include a $100 million kitty to fund 'green rebates' for Queenslanders who install tanks and other water-friendly devices in their homes.
    "; S5[31]="   A cornerstone of the policy is the requirement for rainwater tanks to be installed in all new homes built where there is a reticulated "; S6[31]=" water supply.
      'It will take the pressure off the supplies and people will become a little more self-sufficient.
      It's "; S7[31]=" a commonsense way of being able to get more water quickly,' he said.
      'It will take years to build dams .
  "; S8[31]="     .
      .
      but one of the ways you can actually start conserving water is to catch what's "; S9[31]=" falling off people's roofs.' Mr Springborg said the proposal could save billions of litres and would be rolled out first in southeast Queensland.
    "; S10[31]="   Rebates would also be offered to Queenslanders who purchased other water-saving devices such as AAA-rated showerheads, water-efficient washing machines, swimming pool covers, dual-flush toilets "; S11[31]=" and water flow regulators.
      The Opposition estimates the installation of these devices as part of the rebate scheme could save more than "; S12[31]=" 150,000 litres of water each year.
      Mr Springborg said it was essential to implement short-term water-saving policies while longer-term projects such as "; S13[31]=" dams would take time being built.
      'We know that we need dams .
      .
      .
  "; S14[31]="     but we're still looking at five years down the track and we've got a water crisis that's going to be hitting in a "; S15[31]=" few months,' he said.
      Today's policy will be the first major infrastructure announcement by the Coalition and is expected to detail significant "; S16[31]=" water projects.
      The $500 million in water infrastructure is likely to include dam sites other than those already flagged by the Beattie "; S17[31]=" Labor Government on the Mary River at Traveston and near Rathdowney.
      The Opposition has already promised it will fast-track construction of the "; S18[31]=" Wyaralong Dam, between Boonah and Jimboomba, southwest of Brisbane.
      It is expected to build on the $1 billion in dams planned by "; S19[31]=" the previous Coalition Government eight years ago, but has confirmed it could not resurrect the Wolffdene dam... "; R[32]="734"; T[32]="Modest Murray targets can not be met"; A[32]="By ... Editor"; Dn[32]="20060523"; Dt[32]="Tuesday 23 May 2006"; Acats[32]="a05a40a42"; B1[32]="      South Australia's Murray Darling Commissioner says 2750 billion litres may be lost to the ailing Murray River system every year by 2023 "; B2[32]="and even the modest targets set down for 2009 are unlikely to be met... "; B3[32]=" "; B4[32]=" "; B5[32]=" "; S1[32]="      South Australia's Murray Darling Commissioner says 2750 billion litres may be lost to the ailing Murray River system every year by 2023 "; S2[32]=" and even the modest targets set down for 2009 are unlikely to be met.
      In his first paper since being appointed to "; S3[32]=" the role in January, the only independent commissioner has broken ranks, disagreeing with every other state commissioner and launching a scathing attack on the restoration "; S4[32]=" efforts of the Living Murray initiative.
      John Scanlon, in his minority report, claimed the commission had two choices - 'invest further "; S5[32]=" resources' or extend the targets.
      He said the only chance to return 500 billion litres to the river by 2009 would "; S6[32]=" be to start purchasing water immediately and create a plan for surplus flows 'as a matter of urgency'.
      With the current "; S7[32]=" level of action, the target would probably fall short by 225 billion litres, he said.
      So far, South Australia is the "; S8[32]=" only state to develop a plan to buy water, with NSW, the ACT and Victoria all lagging.
      But he added even "; S9[32]=" if the 'small' target was reached, it would in no way compensate for the estimated 2750 billion litres of water that could be lost because "; S10[32]=" of climate change, deforestation, increased use of groundwater, new farm dams, bushfires and reduced irrigation returns.
      The report also highlighted the council's "; S11[32]=" failure to meet its business plan goals: AN OPTIONS paper that was to be completed by October, 2005 to outline improved environmental management options "; S12[32]=" has not yet been prepared by the commission; MANAGEMENT rules to control surplus and unregulated flows have not yet been developed, and; A "; S13[32]=" BASIN account to enable monitoring and reporting of flows has not been prepared.
      Mr Scanlon declined to comment until the report had "; S14[32]=" been before the commission's ministerial council at a meeting on Friday.
      River Murray Minister Karlene Maywald said the Federal Government's $500 "; S15[32]=" million cash injection, promised in last Tuesday's budget, would ensure that the 'faltering' first step to return 500 billion litres of environmental flows would be "; S16[32]=" put back on target... "; R[33]="730"; T[33]="Taken for fools on effluent"; A[33]="By ... Editor"; Dn[33]="20060518"; Dt[33]="Thursday 18 May 2006"; Acats[33]="a40a66"; B1[33]="      TOOWOOMBA residents are being treated like fools on the hill by Premier Peter Beattie because he is giving them no option but "; B2[33]="to drink recycled effluent while coastal residents get new dams, a Toowoomba city councillor says... "; B3[33]=" "; B4[33]=" "; B5[33]=" "; S1[33]="      TOOWOOMBA residents are being treated like fools on the hill by Premier Peter Beattie because he is giving them no option but "; S2[33]=" to drink recycled effluent while coastal residents get new dams, a Toowoomba city councillor says.
      Outspoken councillor Lyle Shelton said: 'If Peter "; S3[33]=" Beattie will drink recycled sewage water at his Brisbane home, I'll happily drink it at my place.' Cr Shelton was one of three local councillors "; S4[33]=" who withdrew their support for Mayor Dianne Thorley's controversial world-first scheme to add 5000Ml per year of recycled effluent, to make up a quarter of "; S5[33]=" the city's drinking water.
      Local Federal Member for Groom Ian Macfarlane and local state members Mike Horan, Stuart Copeland and Ray Hopper "; S6[33]=" also withdrew support for the sewage-to-tap recycling proposal.
      Opponents claim cheaper, safer options are being ignored including an offer of 10,000Ml/year from "; S7[33]=" gasfields west of the city and 28,000Ml/year of drinking-quality bore water currently being used for irrigating cotton crops.
      Toowoomba is part of "; S8[33]=" the Condamine catchment, which uses 280,000Ml of surface and underground water a year for agriculture and town supplies.
      Toowoomba city uses 15,000Ml "; S9[33]=" of water a year, almost all from the neighbouring Moreton catchment where its two major dams are situated.
      But Mr Beattie has "; S10[33]=" backed Toowoomba City Council's recycling proposal as the first experiment in Australia to return recycled sewage into drinking water supplies which could be extended around "; S11[33]=" the state.
      In a letter to Cr Thorley, Mr Beattie said: 'The results of this innovative pilot program will allow for the "; S12[33]=" evaluation of indirect water recycling as an alternative water supply option throughout Queensland.' Cr Shelton said Mr Beattie was avoiding recycling sewage water for drinking "; S13[33]=" in Brisbane and was proposing new dams despite strong community opposition.
      'Maybe he knows something about the safety of recycled sewage for "; S14[33]=" drinking that is being hidden from Toowoomba people,' Cr Shelton said.
      Cr Shelton said NSW Premier Morris Iemma had rejected recycled water "; S15[33]=" for Sydney over unresolved health issues.
      'We are being treated like fools up here on the hill.'.. "; R[34]="723"; T[34]="Taxpayers may fund buyout"; A[34]="By ... Editor"; Dn[34]="20060515"; Dt[34]="Monday 15 May 2006"; Acats[34]="a05a15a40"; B1[34]="      TAXPAYERS could be asked to buy two cotton properties in the state's southwest so their water allocations can be returned to the "; B2[34]="ailing Murray-Darling Basin... "; B3[34]=" "; B4[34]=" "; B5[34]=" "; S1[34]="      TAXPAYERS could be asked to buy two cotton properties in the state's southwest so their water allocations can be returned to the "; S2[34]=" ailing Murray-Darling Basin.
      Queensland Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce said yesterday a state and Federal Government buyout would counter claims Queensland producers take "; S3[34]=" too much water from the Lower Balonne River system at the expense of downstream producers.
      But Acting Premier Anna Bligh revealed the "; S4[34]=" State Government was already in talks with the Commonwealth over a proposal to buy the properties - Clyde and Ballindool.
      News of "; S5[34]=" the proposal comes only four years after the Federal Government rejected a State Government move to jointly buy the huge Cubbie Station - the area's "; S6[34]=" biggest water consumer - amid opposition from the Nationals.
      Last week's Federal Budget included $500 million in new spending on projects to "; S7[34]=" improve the health of the Murray-Darling Basin, which suffers low water flows and the effects of soil salinity.
      'Rather than waste the "; S8[34]=" $500 million on items like fish ramps, we could buy them and put the water back into the system,' Senator Joyce said yesterday.
    "; S9[34]="   'I'm trying to come up with a solution.
      'There is nothing in it for me - retiring irrigation properties in my "; S10[34]=" own district.' Ms Bligh said the buyout proposal was on the agenda of the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council meeting in Melbourne on Friday.
    "; S11[34]="   And she ridiculed Senator Joyce for having joined other Nationals to oppose the 2002 Cubbie proposal.
      'Do his friends at the "; S12[34]=" giant Cubbie Station intend to offer some their water to help improve flows in the Murray-Darling?' Ms Bligh said.
      'After all it "; S13[34]=" was agreed in 2002 at St George that all in that region had to share the pain.' She said release of the water would assist "; S14[34]=" improve flows to rivers and floodplains in Queensland and NSW as well as to the Narran Lakes in NSW.
      'We are however "; S15[34]=" very skeptical of Senator Joyce's view on this given how he is treated by his own Coalition counterparts,' she said.
      'The original "; S16[34]=" Cubbie proposal was a better option, but in the end it was scuttled by the National Party.' Senator Joyce said he was happy to admit "; S17[34]=" to being a friend of Cubbie Station and its manager John Grabbe.
      'It's the biggest employer in my area,' he said.
  "; S18[34]="     Senator Joyce also said that, in 2002, Cubbie owners did not want to sell and that the owners of Ballindool and Clyde were "; S19[34]=" willing sellers.
      Also yesterday, NSW Liberal Senator Bill Heffernan said accused state governments of catastrophic mismanagement of the nation's rivers and called "; S20[34]=" for a referendum to hand all power for water to the Commonwealth.
      'We ought to take water over,' Senator Heffernan said.
  "; S21[34]="     'When we have Constitutional power to manage it we should look at issues like the management of the Lower Balonne which is a "; S22[34]=" national disgrace.'.. "; R[35]="722"; T[35]="Murray needs faster flow just to tread water"; A[35]="By ... Editor"; Dn[35]="20060515"; Dt[35]="Monday 15 May 2006"; Acats[35]="a40a42"; B1[35]="      The Murray River is likely to need five times more water than promised under a national scheme just to maintain its current "; B2[35]="inadequate flows, according to a confidential report to be presented to federal and state ministers this week... "; B3[35]=" "; B4[35]=" "; B5[35]=" "; S1[35]="      The Murray River is likely to need five times more water than promised under a national scheme just to maintain its current "; S2[35]=" inadequate flows, according to a confidential report to be presented to federal and state ministers this week.
      The Federal Government last week "; S3[35]=" gave an extra $500 million to the Murray Darling Basin Commission, which is overseeing the Living Murray Initiative to restore an extra 500 billion litres "; S4[35]=" of water a year to the river by 2009.
      Progress in reaching that target has been sluggish, prompting Prime Minister John Howard "; S5[35]=" to declare in February: 'I'm not happy with the progress of the Murray Darling … I think we've got to put a bit of a "; S6[35]=" bomb under the process.' But the head of the CSIRO's Land and Water division, Dr Rob Vertessy, says the best estimate in the CSIRO report "; S7[35]=" - prepared for the commission, but not yet publicly available - is that even if the 500 billion-litre target is reached, a further 2000 billion "; S8[35]=" litres will be needed before 2030 just to maintain current flows.
      'I'm less concerned than I was about whether we will reach "; S9[35]=" the (500 billion-litre) target, because there seems to be a real sense of urgency at a political level that they have to act,' Dr Vertessy "; S10[35]=" told The Age.
      'But the big question now is how soon are we going to reach agreement that we have to do "; S11[35]=" that another four or five times over the next two decades just to hold steady at present levels.' Dr Vertessy said he was concerned that "; S12[35]=" the CSIRO report also indicated that any environmental benefit from the promised 500 billion litres was likely to be eroded by future reduced flows.
  "; S13[35]="     'The expectation was that the new water would at least start to contribute to the revival of the Murray.
      But "; S14[35]=" it's likely now that all it's going to do is slow the future problem of the river declining further unless we back that up with "; S15[35]=" more action,' he said.
      The report details six major threats to the Murray River's future flows: hotter, drier weather due to climate "; S16[35]=" change; expansion of farm dams; increased groundwater extraction; increased water use by timber plantations; reduced return flows from irrigated properties; and bushfire recovery.
    "; S17[35]="   While stressing that more research was needed, Dr Vertessy said the report showed the need for longer-term targets.
      Murray-Darling Basin Commission "; S18[35]=" chief executive Wendy Craik confirmed that the CSIRO report would be discussed at this Friday's Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council meeting.
      Dr Craik "; S19[35]=" was reluctant to discuss the findings, other than to say it was unclear how the major threats identified by the CSIRO might affect the Murray, "; S20[35]=" so it was too soon to set further targets for restoring water.
      The Living Murray initiative is funded by the Victorian, South "; S21[35]=" Australian, NSW, ACT and federal governments.
      It is one of the world's biggest river restoration projects... "; R[36]="719"; T[36]="Rann gets Murray rescue flowing"; A[36]="By ... Editor"; Dn[36]="20060518"; Dt[36]="Thursday 18 May 2006"; Acats[36]="a40a42a68"; B1[36]="      South Australia will return 35gigalitres of water to the Murray River in a bid to force other states to commit to efforts "; B2[36]="to rescue the nation's biggest river system... "; B3[36]=" "; B4[36]=" "; B5[36]=" "; S1[36]="      South Australia will return 35gigalitres of water to the Murray River in a bid to force other states to commit to efforts "; S2[36]=" to rescue the nation's biggest river system.
      Premier Mike Rann said 13gigalitres of water - including water bought from farmers and saved "; S3[36]=" through better farming techniques - would be returned immediately, with the rest to be returned before 2009.
      The proposal will be put "; S4[36]=" before state and federal governments at next Friday's Murray-Darling Basin ministerial council meeting.
      'We hope this sets the right example to the "; S5[36]=" larger eastern states that drain an enormous amount of water out of the Murray-Darling system,' Mr Rann said.
      'We want them to "; S6[36]=" follow our example and give back water to this recovery effort.' It is two years since the state and federal governments signed up to the "; S7[36]=" Living Murray program, which pledges to return 500gigalitres of water to the river in a bid to lift its flow.
      NSW and "; S8[36]=" Victoria have committed to infrastructure projects since 2004 but the South Australia package is the equivalent to 13billion extra litres of water -- enough to "; S9[36]=" fill about 13,000 Olympic swimming pools.
      The Rann Government's commitment comes just days after the federal Government used the budget promised to "; S10[36]=" inject $500 million into a series of projects along the river, including salt-interception schemes, maintaining water quality for Adelaide, irrigators and regional communities, as well "; S11[36]=" as fixing the river's rundown water delivery infrastructure.
      While farmers such as Trevor McLean welcome the commitments, they see projects such as "; S12[36]=" salt-interception schemes as an expensive way of rehabilitating the river.
      'I am a little cynical because we have been caught before so "; S13[36]=" often with politicians really just fudging the figures,' said Mr McLean, chairman of Langhorne Creek Irrigators Association.
      'What the Murray needs is "; S14[36]=" an actual increase of real water flow.' Mr McLean relies on just 100megalitres of Murray water each year to irrigate 40ha of wine grapes at "; S15[36]=" his Langhorne Creek property.
      He said licensing arrangements in NSW and Victoria were too generous to farmers further up the river.
  "; S16[36]="     'Neither of these states have really been prepared to stand up where it really counts and get some order into their licensing system,' "; S17[36]=" he said... "; R[37]="717"; T[37]="Wool residue information for farmers"; A[37]="By ... Editor"; Dn[37]="20060518"; Dt[37]="Thursday 18 May 2006"; Acats[37]="a25a40a42"; B1[37]="      The first batch of wool residue survey results will soon be forwarded to producers who have had their clips tested this financial "; B2[37]="year... "; B3[37]=" "; B4[37]=" "; B5[37]=" "; S1[37]="      The first batch of wool residue survey results will soon be forwarded to producers who have had their clips tested this financial "; S2[37]=" year.
      Development Officer Di Evans said the survey is an excellent way for farmers to receive feedback on the residue status "; S3[37]=" of their clips.
      Ms Evans said 'The program is part of a national survey funded by Australia Wool Innovation which involves "; S4[37]=" about 600 clips being tested annually from the national wool clip.' About 140 randomly selected clips from Western Australia are tested for 22 different "; S5[37]=" chemicals by CSIRO in Geelong and assessed against the European Eco-label standard.
      The main chemical groups tested are organophosphates (eg diazinon), "; S6[37]=" synthetic pyrethoids (eg Clout S, Vanquish etc) and insect growth regulators (eg Zapp, Magnum, Vetrazin etc).
      Ms Evans said, 'Results for "; S7[37]=" the first six months until December have shown some very high individual levels for specific chemicals.
      'This is of concern as "; S8[37]=" it suggests that some growers are not aware of current recommendations in relation to long wool treatments or they are not considering the importance of "; S9[37]=" minimising residues.
      'For example, diazinon is not recommended as it is not registered for treating lice in long wool and it "; S10[37]=" is relatively ineffective against blowflies due to widespread resistance.
      'Unfortunately, some growers are also continuing to use Vanquish which despite being "; S11[37]=" registered as a long wool treatment for lice, is generally not recommended due to resistance being detected to this group nearly 15 years ago and "; S12[37]=" the extremely high residues that occur following its use.' To help individual farmers become more aware of wool residues in their own clip, a "; S13[37]=" fax-back system, which is coordinated by the Department of Agriculture and Food, is about to start.
      Western Australia is the only "; S14[37]=" State to have such a system operating and relies upon participating wool brokers including Elders, Primaries, Landmark and Wool Agency.
      Ken "; S15[37]=" Walker, WA Director on the Board of the National Council of Wool Selling Brokers of Australia said the program was of value as individual producers "; S16[37]=" would not be able to access their results any other way.
      Mr Walker said, 'It is pleasing to see brokers getting "; S17[37]=" behind this to help pass the information onto clients.' Individual growers who have had their clip tested as part of the randomly sampled survey "; S18[37]=" may soon receive a fax containing their results from their wool broker.
      Wool test certificates are also available to producers who have "; S19[37]=" had their clip tested and can be requested from their broker.
      The fax sheet details the amount of chemical detected and "; S20[37]=" a comment relating to compliance with the voluntary EU eco-label standard as well as how the chemical might have been used.
      "; S21[37]=" 'Growers receiving a result are urged to complete the fax sheet with details of the chemicals they have used and fax it to the Department', "; S22[37]=" Ms Evans said.
      'This can be done anonymously and will be used to help improve our understanding of chemical use and "; S23[37]=" resulting residues,' she said.
      Wool residues are becoming an increasingly important consideration in terms of accessing markets with China now seeking "; S24[37]=" to test clips for residues.
      Australia generally has a good reputation for low residue wool but growers need to continually consider "; S25[37]=" their choices regarding chemical treatments to minimise wool residues (see Department of Agriculture and Food Factsheet 110 Guidelines for producing nil and low residue wool)... "; R[38]="707"; T[38]="New guidelines to help growers make the most of recycled water"; A[38]="By ... Editor"; Dn[38]="20060511"; Dt[38]="Thursday 11 May 2006"; Acats[38]="a40"; B1[38]="      Growers seeking to introduce use of recycled water on their properties now have guidelines and a new field tool to help them "; B2[38]="make the most of this water resource... "; B3[38]=" "; B4[38]=" "; B5[38]=" "; S1[38]="      Growers seeking to introduce use of recycled water on their properties now have guidelines and a new field tool to help them "; S2[38]=" make the most of this water resource.
      The guidelines and a 'salinity unit converter' were launched at the Irrigation Association of "; S3[38]=" Australia conference in Brisbane this week.
      Published by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries, the guidelines are the result of a three-year "; S4[38]=" project studying the use of reclaimed effluent water, funded by the National Program for Sustainable Irrigation.
      The guidelines use checklists that assist "; S5[38]=" growers in effective management of recycled water, while the salinity unit converter has been designed for use in the field.
      The salinity "; S6[38]=" unit converter is designed to help growers understand salinity measurements and the relative salt tolerances for fruit and vegetable crops.
      Tom "; S7[38]=" Aldred Executive Manager Natural Resource Management, who officially launched the guidelines at the conference, said recycled water was becoming available for use by increasing numbers "; S8[38]=" of irrigators.
      'Recycled water is already a valuable component of our water resources,' Mr Aldred said.
      'As more growers "; S9[38]=" are able to use more of it, they will reap benefits including a greater certainty of supply, consistent quality and the ability to recycle important "; S10[38]=" nutrients.
      'Additionally, increased use of recycled water will provide irrigators with security in their investment, and that means benefits for the "; S11[38]=" community and the economy.
      Recycled water use by irrigators also has considerable potential to reduce the extraction of water from waterways and "; S12[38]=" groundwater.
      'Projects such as these provide growers and advisors with the information and the tools they need to assess and implement the "; S13[38]=" latest advances in our knowledge.' Recycled water comes from a wide range of sources, including human, industrial and animal waste, and stormwater.
      "; S14[38]=" Initial treatment of the water and the way growers use it is critical to protect produce, consumers and the environment.
      Approved management "; S15[38]=" plans must be in place before a grower can begin using recycled water, and there are significant government and quality assurance requirements to be met.
"; S16[38]="       National Program for Sustainable Irrigation Coordinator Murray Chapman said the guidelines had resulted from trials undertaken by vegetable growers in Werribee, Victoria "; S17[38]=" and South Australia's Virginia Plains.
      'These tools have been tried and tested by the growers who will ultimately be using them, and "; S18[38]=" their input has been invaluable,' he said.
      'The National Program for Sustainable Irrigation provides a structure to identify research needs that will "; S19[38]=" ultimately mean everyone, from grower to policy advisor, has the critical information they need to create a sustainable future for irrigation in Australia.
    "; S20[38]="   'The Program funds over 20 projects around Australia, focusing on developing our knowledge base and tools to manage irrigation sustainably.' The Program has 14 "; S21[38]=" investment partners, including water and commodity authorities.
      It is managed on behalf of the partners by Land & Water Australia... "; R[39]="702"; T[39]="No compensation for Mary dam water loss: Beattie"; A[39]="By ... Editor"; Dn[39]="20060511"; Dt[39]="Thursday 11 May 2006"; Acats[39]="a40"; B1[39]="      The Queensland Premier's office has confirmed farmers whose water supplies are affected by the proposed Mary dam will not be compensated under "; B2[39]="the package announced this week... "; B3[39]=" "; B4[39]=" "; B5[39]=" "; S1[39]="      The Queensland Premier's office has confirmed farmers whose water supplies are affected by the proposed Mary dam will not be compensated under "; S2[39]=" the package announced this week.
      The State Government has allocated $50 million for the purchase of properties in the area.
    "; S3[39]="   The Member for Gympie, Elisa Roberts, yesterday asked whether compensation would be extended to farmers downstream of the dam.
      The Government "; S4[39]=" says the funding package does not cover downstream water users but Mr Beattie has told Parliament the Government has committed to funding a counselling support "; S5[39]=" service to reduce the stress involved in the process.
      'That money will be available to anybody who wants to negotiate with us "; S6[39]=" on commercial terms to sell their land if they're affected by the dam,' Mr Beattie said.
      'Now, there are going to be "; S7[39]=" some areas on the margin where we're not sure.
      'We will err on the side of looking after people, if someone is "; S8[39]=" particularly stressed out on these matters, then we are prepared to purchase their property.' Meanwhile, the Member for Maryborough has described the dam proposal as "; S9[39]=" an absolute joke.
      Chris Foley says the Traveston Crossing dam will kill off the river downstream, affect Hervey Bay's recreational fishing industry "; S10[39]=" and wipe out some of Queensland's best farming land.
      He has told Parliament it is environmental vandalism of the worst kind.
  "; S11[39]="     'Premier, let me ask this question: if the dams that feed Brisbane are down to 30 per cent capacity and lower, how will "; S12[39]=" building a dam that will take five to 12 years to build and fill help the immediate problem? 'And why are you prepared to damage "; S13[39]=" donwstream communities to satisfy the unbridled demands of the south-east corner? 'This is dumb state environmental vandalism.' But Mr Beattie has disputed the allegations saying "; S14[39]=" they are baseless.
      He has told the House the dam will benefit the Gympie and Maryborough areas by flood-proofing them.
    "; S15[39]="   'I would have thought the Member for Maryborough would be in here supporting constructive proposals, [rather] than trying to scaremonger and introduce all sorts "; S16[39]=" of irrelevancies that simply have no basis in fact,' he said.
      'You have no basis for any one of those allegations you've "; S17[39]=" made.
      They are absolutely without foundation.' The independent Gympie MP, Elisa Roberts, who has expressed reservations about the dam, has complained to "; S18[39]=" State Parliament that she is being left out of community events relating to the project.
      Ms Roberts has accused dam critic, Rick "; S19[39]=" Elliot, and the National Party of hijacking the campaign.
      'Like it or not I am the Member and despite Elliot's comments that "; S20[39]=" both Beattie and I will be gone by the next election, the idea that the National Party will ever be government in this state is "; S21[39]=" a bit of a pipedream,' she said.
      'Whilst I do not generally support the policies of Peter Beattie he is the current "; S22[39]=" Premier and to choose to ignore both him and the local Member is beyond comprehension.'.. "; R[40]="675"; T[40]="Cotton farm too thirsty: Turnbull"; A[40]="By ... Editor"; Dn[40]="20060416"; Dt[40]="Sunday 16 April 2006"; Acats[40]="a15a40"; B1[40]="      John Howard's right-hand man on water policy has slammed the Beattie Government for its generous water allocation to the nation's thirstiest farm, "; B2[40]="the giant Cubbie Station in western Queensland... "; B3[40]=" "; B4[40]=" "; B5[40]=" "; S1[40]="      John Howard's right-hand man on water policy has slammed the Beattie Government for its generous water allocation to the nation's thirstiest farm, "; S2[40]=" the giant Cubbie Station in western Queensland.
      Malcolm Turnbull, federal Parliamentary Secretary on Water Policy, has accused the Queensland Government of not "; S3[40]=" taking into account the water needs of NSW farmers when it made a large water allocation to Cubbie, the nation's largest cotton producer.
    "; S4[40]="   Farmers in northwest NSW who use the Murray-Darling system have long complained that Cubbie's allocation of 150,000 megalitres of a water a year has "; S5[40]=" reduced their downstream supply of water.
      The Beattie Government made its most recent allocation last year and Mr Turnbull told a business "; S6[40]=" lunch in Brisbane yesterday that Queensland appeared to have made the decision 'with very little regard for the consequences for the people and the environment "; S7[40]=" downstream of the border'.
      'It may be an example of lack of consultation between states, because water and rivers do not respect "; S8[40]=" state boundaries,' Mr Turnbull said.
      'The NSW and Queensland governments should really be getting together on this.
      I'm not "; S9[40]=" sure what is more concerning - the lack of regard that past Queensland governments have had for consequences past the border, or the lack of "; S10[40]=" interest that past NSW governments appear to have had in responding to those allocations.
      "; S11[40]=" 'It seems as though they were ships passing in the night.' Mr Turnbull said there were some federal initiatives available to address the problem, "; S12[40]=" such as more work through the Murray-Darling Basin Commission and withholding payments to states due under the $2 billion National Water Initiative.
      "; S13[40]=" But Queensland Water Resources Minister Henry Palaszczuk said the Queensland Government had proposed buying out Cubbie four years ago in an attempt to resolve the "; S14[40]=" situation, but had faced opposition from the federal Government.
      'We had an underwhelming response then - that issue was settled four years "; S15[40]=" ago and I don't intend to revisit it,' Mr Palaszczuk said.
      He said he had met his NSW counterpart, Ian McDonald, two "; S16[40]=" weeks ago on the issue and government officers were exchanging data.
      Cubbie Group chairman Keith De Lacy - a former Queensland Labor "; S17[40]=" treasurer who was present at yesterday's lunch - said the station had a licence to extract a set amount of water from the Balonne River "; S18[40]=" while it only took floodwater from the flood plain... "; R[41]="674"; T[41]="$1 million donation launches new UNSW water research team"; A[41]="By ... Editor"; Dn[41]="20060416"; Dt[41]="Sunday 16 April 2006"; Acats[41]="a40a93"; B1[41]="      Australians consume millions of bottles of mineral water every year with barely a thought about where that water comes from: below the "; B2[41]="ground.
      Despite being the world's driest inhabited continent and facing a water crisis, Australia's groundwater reserves are vast but poorly understood... "; B3[41]=" "; B4[41]=" "; B5[41]=" "; S1[41]="      Australians consume millions of bottles of mineral water every year with barely a thought about where that water comes from: below the "; S2[41]=" ground.
      Despite being the world's driest inhabited continent and facing a water crisis, Australia's groundwater reserves are vast but poorly understood.
  "; S3[41]="     That is about to change, however, with the birth of a new water research team at the University of NSW - thanks to "; S4[41]=" $1 million worth of generosity from a Sydney business executive, Mr Gary Johnston, of Jaycar Electronics.
      Today the team will officially get "; S5[41]=" its new head with the appointment of Professor Ian Acworth as the inaugural holder of the Gary Johnston Chair of Water Management.
      "; S6[41]=" The pioneering new post is an unusual joint appointment between two Faculties - Science and Engineering - with the aim of building up the team "; S7[41]=" as fast as possible and marrying theory and practice.
      Mr Johnston says he is delighted to be able to give something "; S8[41]=" back to a country that has been very good to him: 'As a nation, I think it's clear that we have misused or misunderstood many "; S9[41]=" of our water resources until now and I hope this appointment marks the start of a new era of better understanding and better management of "; S10[41]=" our groundwater reserves in particular.' Professor Acworth is one of Australia's most practised groundwater researchers, with 30 years of experience in groundwater physics and "; S11[41]=" hydrogeology in Britain, Africa and Australia.
      His current research projects include pioneering studies of soil salinity in western NSW.
      "; S12[41]=" 'More than 95 per cent of the world's accessible water is groundwater,' Professor Acworth says.
      'Yet we know precious little about it "; S13[41]=" and how to manage it.
      Australia already pipes vast amounts of underground water for agriculture and inland cities and towns and we've "; S14[41]=" been using it as if it were a magic pudding that will never run out.
      There's an urgent need not only for "; S15[41]=" research in this area but for public education about it as well.'.. "; R[42]="660"; T[42]="Donated water saves red gums"; A[42]="By ... Editor"; Dn[42]="20060401"; Dt[42]="Saturday 1 April 2006"; Acats[42]="a40a42"; B1[42]="      Projects like this at Banrock Station in the state's Riverland are helping save threatened river red gums.... "; B2[42]=" "; B3[42]=" "; B4[42]=" "; B5[42]=" "; S1[42]="      Projects like this at Banrock Station in the state's Riverland are helping save threatened river red gums.
      The scheme "; S2[42]=" allows irrigators to donate some of their River Murray water to be pumped on to the trees like those shown in these photographs at Banrock "; S3[42]=" Station in Kingston-on-Murray, 200km north of Adelaide in the state's Riverland.
      It is pumped onto the land during times of low "; S4[42]=" rainfall.
      These photographs of one project show how last week, the wetlands were dry, but early this week were full of "; S5[42]=" the donated water - highlighting how the State Government Redgum Rescue initiative works.
      Manager of the Banrock Station Wine and Wetlands "; S6[42]=" Centre Tony Sharley said water was pumped out of the river into 'dry areas that needed help'.
      'It helps a few "; S7[42]=" critical trees to live a bit longer, because it is most important that we keep the ecosystem alive as much as we can with a "; S8[42]=" small amount of water,' he said.
      'It comes from irrigators who've saved water who haven't used their full allocation.' Mr "; S9[42]=" Sharley, said state and federal governments should not have allowed the demise of many redgums along the Murray.
      He said the "; S10[42]=" situation was an 'environmental disaster of national significance'... "; R[43]="642"; T[43]="Dairy farm water use efficiency workshops in April & May"; A[43]="By ... Editor"; Dn[43]="20060329"; Dt[43]="Wednesday 29 March 2006"; Acats[43]="a26a40"; B1[43]="      A highly successful series of water use efficiency and effluent workshops held last year for Queensland dairy farmers will be repeated in "; B2[43]="April and May... "; B3[43]=" "; B4[43]=" "; B5[43]=" "; S1[43]="      A highly successful series of water use efficiency and effluent workshops held last year for Queensland dairy farmers will be repeated in "; S2[43]=" April and May.
      Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries dairy extension officer Greg Stanley said the positive response to the workshops held "; S3[43]=" over the last twelve months had resulted in excellent numbers at most events.
      He said a survey conducted last year to determine "; S4[43]=" producer views on the workshops, the Rural Water Use Efficiency (RWUE) project and issues of importance to the dairy industry found that most believed the "; S5[43]=" availability of water, its cost and water trading changes were issues which would continue to confront the dairy industry into the foreseeable future.
    "; S6[43]="   Mr Stanley said while the availability of water is still being debated across Queensland and Australia because of drought and consumer usage, the RWUE "; S7[43]=" team is committed to assisting producers to obtain the most profitable result from their available water for irrigation and farm use.
      'Four "; S8[43]=" new field days are being held in April and May at no cost to producers and will address the operation of irrigation systems and the "; S9[43]=" management of farm water for profitable results.' 'The days will feature Pat Daley, who has a vast practical knowledge of irrigation systems, their operation and "; S10[43]=" on farm irrigation assessment and Aaron Stasi from the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water who will deliver a presentation on the latest water "; S11[43]=" trading changes.' 'There will also be a session on effluent management by Alan Skerman, from DPI&F and an overview of crop water use and management, "; S12[43]=" especially of ryegrass, by DPI&F officers Mark Callow and Ross Warren,' Mr Stanley said.
      The field day dates and venues include: Conondale, "; S13[43]=" 3 April 2006 - Lucus & Amada Kennedy Mutdapilly, 4 April 2006 - Mutdapilly Research Station Allora, 5 April 2006 - Don & Betty Brown "; S14[43]=" Malanda, 3 May 2006 - Geoff & Katina Riesen For further information and to register contact: Greg Stanley, Bundaberg: 4131 5800(w) or 0409633087(m) John Miller, "; S15[43]=" Murgon: 4169 9800(w) or 0428773706(m) Ross Warren, Gympie: 5480 4418(w) or 0418749340(m) Alan Skerman, Toowoomba: 4688 1247(w) or 0407462529(m).. "; R[44]="639"; T[44]="Water plan to go to referendum"; A[44]="By ... Editor"; Dn[44]="20060329"; Dt[44]="Wednesday 29 March 2006"; Acats[44]="a40"; B1[44]="      The Federal Government is ready to pump $23 million into a project in which a Queensland city will recycle effluent into drinking "; B2[44]="water - but only if residents support the move... "; B3[44]=" "; B4[44]=" "; B5[44]=" "; S1[44]="      The Federal Government is ready to pump $23 million into a project in which a Queensland city will recycle effluent into drinking "; S2[44]=" water - but only if residents support the move.
      The Government today delivered its long-awaited decision on the controversial project, but it "; S3[44]=" will only go ahead if the majority of Toowoomba residents vote in favour of the plan at a referendum to be held no later than "; S4[44]=" September 30.
      Toowoomba City Council, the Queensland Government and the National Water Commission all support the plan, but there is substantial "; S5[44]=" community opposition.
      The local federal member, Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane, has also questioned the project.
      The Prime "; S6[44]=" Minister's parliamentary secretary for water policy, Malcolm Turnbull, today denied the Government was sitting on the fence by leaving a final decision to the residents.
"; S7[44]="       He said the referendum was the only way to accurately gauge community support.
      'Both sides have told "; S8[44]=" me that if there were a vote, they'd get 70 per cent,' Mr Turnbull said.
      'They can't both be right.' "; S9[44]=" The Federal Government will provide $22.9 million for the project, matching the Queensland Government's contribution.
      The remaining money for the $68 "; S10[44]=" million plan will come from Toowoomba City Council and the project's proponents.
      Toowoomba, a city of more than 100,000, sits on "; S11[44]=" top of the Great Dividing Range west of Brisbane and has been on water restrictions for the past decade.
      The recycling "; S12[44]=" project would see treated sewage augment potable water supplies in a nearby dam.
      The Toowoomba project is not unique, with recycled "; S13[44]=" effluent already part of the potable mix in several towns, but the project is the biggest of its kind in Australia.
      "; S14[44]=" The New South Wales inland city of Goulburn, which has suffered years of drought and has almost run out of water, has applied for federal "; S15[44]=" funding for a similar project.
      'This is a trend that we are likely to see more of in my view,' Mr "; S16[44]=" Turnbull said.
      'Inland cities have particular challenges because they don't have access to (the) desalination option that cities on the coast "; S17[44]=" do.' Mr Turnbull agreed there was a 'yuck factor' attached to the Toowoomba project, but said the Queensland Government and Toowoomba council had told "; S18[44]=" the Federal Government it was the only viable option for securing the city's water supply.
      'The people who oppose this proposal "; S19[44]=" will have a very heavy onus to demonstrate that, if it is defeated, that there is a viable alternative,' he said.
      "; S20[44]=" 'There's not a lot of room for fudging here.
      Toowoomba needs water security.' Mr Macfarlane, the federal member for Groom, said "; S21[44]=" the referendum was the best way forward.
      'A project of this significance will succeed only with strong community backing and today's "; S22[44]=" announcement puts this important decision right where it belongs, in the hands of the people of Toowoomba and the Darling Downs,' he said.
    "; S23[44]="   The federal Opposition today accused the Government of avoiding decisive action on the project.
      'The Howard government policy does "; S24[44]=" not guarantee anything for Toowoomba except a delay in how it deals with its water crisis,' Labor's water spokesman Anthony Albanese said.
      "; S25[44]=" 'If the referendum is lost, then what is the solution for Toowoomba's water crisis?'.. "; R[45]="600"; T[45]="Bores a taste of future"; A[45]="By ... Editor"; Dn[45]="20060308"; Dt[45]="Wednesday 8 March 2006"; Acats[45]="a40a66"; B1[45]="      Thousands of Brisbane residents will get a taste of the Outback when they are connected to bore water over coming months.... "; B2[45]=" "; B3[45]=" "; B4[45]=" "; B5[45]=" "; S1[45]="      Thousands of Brisbane residents will get a taste of the Outback when they are connected to bore water over coming months.
  "; S2[45]="     Suburbs from Darra to Eight Mile Plains will receive a mixture of groundwater and dam water once 40 new bores are connected to "; S3[45]=" local water mains.
      The taste and characteristics of the water will change, but the magnitude of the difference will not be "; S4[45]=" determined until tests are done.
      Bores will be dug at two sites each in Darra and Runcorn, and properties in Sunnybank, Algester, "; S5[45]=" Parkinson and Kuraby/Eight Mile Plains.
      All will impact on Labor wards, but Lord Mayor Campbell Newman, a Liberal, denied a political "; S6[45]=" agenda.
      'I equivocally rule that out.
      Anyone who is saying that has a ridiculous "; S7[45]=" notion,' he said.
      The city wants to generate 20 megalitres of water a day as part of its $30 million aquifer "; S8[45]=" project.
      The first bore in Darra struck water at 80m yesterday.
      Residents will be connected to bore water "; S9[45]=" over the next few months once it has been treated.
      Water Services Association of Australia executive director Ross Young said the "; S10[45]=" taste of groundwater would vary according to the physical characteristics of the aquifer.
      'It might be harder to get a lather "; S11[45]=" up in the shower and it might taste different, but it's perfectly safe to drink,' he said.
      'People will get used to "; S12[45]=" the taste if the supply is consistent.' Six years of below-average rainfall have left the Wivenhoe, North Pine and Somerset dams at a third "; S13[45]=" of capacity.
      Brisbane is searching hard for new water sources to avoid running out by 2008.
      The "; S14[45]=" bore water will be initially used for irrigation after planned level three water restrictions go into effect in May.
      Each of the "; S15[45]=" bores will have its own on-site treatment plant.
      Jane Prentice, the water spokesman for Cr Newman, said 40 per cent of "; S16[45]=" Perth's water supply was groundwater and many small towns used treated bore water despite its distinctive smell and taste.
      'It would "; S17[45]=" drought-proof the residents of that area,' Cr Prentice said.
      'It wouldn't be any different from visiting Perth or an Outback town.' About "; S18[45]=" 20 possible bore locations, including some on the northside, were examined by consultants and Brisbane Water, she said.
      It was important "; S19[45]=" that the city did not withdraw too much water from each bore.
      'We're going to make sure we're not going to "; S20[45]=" exhaust it.
      We're going to act very cautiously,' Cr Prentice said.
      Cr Newman said the city would respond "; S21[45]=" quickly if people did not like the bore water.
      'We will not continue with the water if it is not suitable,' "; S22[45]=" he said, while predicting that it would be of high quality.
      Labor councillor Gail MacPherson, who will have four bores operating "; S23[45]=" around her district, said she would reserve judgment on the water until it was tested.
      'I'm not opposed to the plan.
"; S24[45]="       We have to look at every available source we can,' she said.
      Cr MacPherson said she did not "; S25[45]=" expect a negative reaction from residents.
      Mr Young said Sydney was also searching for bore water reserves to increase its water "; S26[45]=" supply.
      'There isn't a silver bullet,' he said.
      'Cities need a range of solutions and groundwater is one.' "; S27[45]=" Mr Young said the water needed to be tested thoroughly for chemicals and minerals such as iron and magnesium... "; R[46]="589"; T[46]="Pipes and trees to save Murray"; A[46]="By ... Editor"; Dn[46]="20060306"; Dt[46]="Monday 6 March 2006"; Acats[46]="a40a42a43"; B1[46]="      A huge new $6 million forest in the Riverland and a rebate for having rainwater plumbed into homes will be the centrepiece "; B2[46]="of a new strategy aimed to help save the Murray... "; B3[46]=" "; B4[46]=" "; B5[46]=" "; S1[46]="      A huge new $6 million forest in the Riverland and a rebate for having rainwater plumbed into homes will be the centrepiece "; S2[46]=" of a new strategy aimed to help save the Murray.
      It has been estimated 18 billion litres of water could be saved "; S3[46]=" if all SA households had rainwater tanks plumbed into their homes.
      From July this year, all new homes in SA are "; S4[46]=" required by law to have a five-star energy rating and rainwater tanks.
      Premier Mike Rann and Environment Minister John Hill launched "; S5[46]=" the policy at Unley yesterday.
      Mr Rann said it had been decided to extend the scheme to existing households by giving "; S6[46]=" them a $400 rebate to have the tanks connected voluntarily.
      He said $2 million had been set aside over the next "; S7[46]=" four years to cover the costs.
      He said the new Murray forest - the biggest regional forest in the state's history "; S8[46]=" - would cover 1600ha and follow the river from Morgan to Renmark.
      'The forest of 2.5 million native trees will cover "; S9[46]=" an area about double the size of Belair National Park,' Mr Rann said.
      Opposition environment spokesman Iain Evans described the initiatives "; S10[46]=" as 'classic Rann marketing on the environment'.
      He said South Australians would rather the $6 million earmarked for the forest was spent "; S11[46]=" on returning water to the River Murray.
      Meanwhile, the Liberal Party yesterday pledged to toughen litter laws as part of its "; S12[46]=" environment policy, proposing a tiered system of fines, an increase in inspectors and a dob-in-a-litterer scheme.
      Mr Evans said fines would "; S13[46]=" range from $100 for minor items, such as bus tickets, to $315 for 'aggravated' litter such as hypodermic needles, broken glass and lit cigarette butts.
"; S14[46]="       'We will also expand the number of Government officers who impose fines for these offences and we will allow specially trained "; S15[46]=" authorised KESAB officers to be part of that group,' he said.
      Mr Hill criticised the plan as 'the least green environment "; S16[46]=" policy I've seen'.
      He said the State Government was already 'leading the way on a national level to reduce litter'... "; R[47]="562"; T[47]="Drought towns turn to effluent"; A[47]="By ... Editor"; Dn[47]="20060302"; Dt[47]="Thursday 2 March 2006"; Acats[47]="a09a40a42a48"; B1[47]="      Australians could be drinking recycled effluent within three years.... "; B2[47]=" "; B3[47]=" "; B4[47]=" "; B5[47]=" "; S1[47]="      Australians could be drinking recycled effluent within three years.
      John Howard is on the verge of agreeing to the "; S2[47]=" partial funding for a $70 million Toowoomba project to recycle wastewater in an effort to solve the Queensland city's dire water shortage.
      "; S3[47]=" If the controversial project received the go-ahead, construction could be completed in 18months, Toowoomba Mayor Di Thorley said.
      The town has "; S4[47]=" been on water restrictions for more than a decade.
      A combination of recycling and demand management was the only solution, Ms "; S5[47]=" Thorley said.
      Toowoomba is seeking $24million in federal funding through the $1.6 billion Water Smart Australia program, which is administered by "; S6[47]=" the National Water Commission.
      The commission has given the Prime Minister its recommendation on the funding decision.
      "; S7[47]=" Chairman and CEO Ken Matthews told The Australian the country should be 'at the cutting edge of delivering economic, safe and healthy recycled water'.
  "; S8[47]="     The commission has also received a proposal for a similar recycling scheme for the parched NSW southern highlands city of Goulburn.
  "; S9[47]="     Goulburn's council is about to embark on a public education program critical to it receiving public and financial support for its sewage "; S10[47]=" recycling plans.
      Goulburn-Mulwaree Mayor Paul Stephenson said the commission was supportive of his call for $11 million in funding.
    "; S11[47]="   'We hope to have the system up and running in four years.' Both town systems would use reverse osmosis to treat the "; S12[47]=" wastewater, the same technology that is used to desalinate water.
      The National Water Commission, the CSIRO, and parliamentary secretary with special "; S13[47]=" responsibility for water Malcolm Turnbull believe it is safe to drinkproperly treated sewage.
      However, they also agree that anysuccessful recycling system needs "; S14[47]=" to be backed by the local community.
      And in Toowoomba the community is divided on the issue.
      "; S15[47]=" Some of the locals, who are desperate for a solution to their water woes, are not quite ready to accept recycling.
      "; S16[47]=" But others appear perfectly happy to drink recycled wastewater, as is already done in other countries across the globe such as Japan, the US, Britain "; S17[47]=" and Singapore.
      Residents for and against the plant are generating their own petitions.
      Industry, Tourism and Resources Minister "; S18[47]=" Ian Macfarlane, who is Toowoomba's local member, says the proposal has divided the community and could taint the city's tourism image.
      "; S19[47]=" 'People are not comfortable with this,' Mr Macfarlane said.
      'I would like to see other options considered, and a regional approach "; S20[47]=" to the issue.' Mr Turnbull said he was comfortable drinking recycled water.
      'The key point about safety is that reverse "; S21[47]=" osmosis will remove any molecules larger than the water molecule (including salts),' he said.
      'It follows therefore that the pathogens, drugs "; S22[47]=" etc of which concern is had will be removed by reverse osmosis.' Western Australia is looking at options for treating sewage for drinking... "; R[48]="560"; T[48]="Water restrictions' results 'worth celebrating'"; A[48]="By ... Editor"; Dn[48]="20060302"; Dt[48]="Thursday 2 March 2006"; Acats[48]="a40a42"; B1[48]="      Victorians have saved a record amount of water since permanent water saving restrictions were introduced a year ago.... "; B2[48]=" "; B3[48]=" "; B4[48]=" "; B5[48]=" "; S1[48]="      Victorians have saved a record amount of water since permanent water saving restrictions were introduced a year ago.
      The "; S2[48]=" Victorian Government says Melbourne residents saved 3.5 billion litres of water in 12 months.
      Premier Steve Bracks says it shows the Government's "; S3[48]=" $6 million advertising campaign on water saving was effective.
      'I know that there is research available which shows that the ads have "; S4[48]=" had a significant affect on personal water use and people's awareness of water conservation,' he said.
      The Government is encouraging Victorians to "; S5[48]=" continue conserving water.
      Mr Bracks says it is now unlikely that harsher water restrictions will need to be introduced.
      "; S6[48]=" 'When you think that we came off stage two water restrictions and we went on to permanent water rules and you've still got water conservation "; S7[48]=" happening right around Victoria in families and households it's a great achievement and it's something worth celebrating,' he said... "; R[49]="530"; T[49]="Farmers left out to dry"; A[49]="By ... Editor"; Dn[49]="20060224"; Dt[49]="Friday 24 February 2006"; Acats[49]="a40a72"; B1[49]="      Southeast Queensland's farming sector faces a dry future after the State Government signalled it could put city residents and industry ahead of "; B2[49]="drought-stricken farmers when it allocates water from new dams... "; B3[49]=" "; B4[49]=" "; B5[49]=" "; S1[49]="      Southeast Queensland's farming sector faces a dry future after the State Government signalled it could put city residents and industry ahead of "; S2[49]=" drought-stricken farmers when it allocates water from new dams.
      A top-level water supply strategy has questioned whether farmers should be entitled to "; S3[49]=" a guaranteed share of the water from the new dams and other supply options.
      The move has prompted rural leaders to "; S4[49]=" warn of the rise of 'Disneyland' farms which satisfy city-dwellers' desires to be close to the bush but are commercially unviable because they are unable "; S5[49]=" to access enough water.
      Despite Government assurances about the future of farming in southeast Queensland, the strategy's interim report states that "; S6[49]=" rural producers are unlikely to benefit significantly from efforts to ensure the region has a more reliable water supply.
      The Government "; S7[49]=" is set to approve $2.3 billion in new water infrastructure, including the new Wyaralong Dam near Beaudesert.
      But most of the new "; S8[49]=" supply options will be geared to urban use.
      The move represents another blow to the region's primary producers, who collectively earn "; S9[49]=" about $800 million of the state's annual income.
      As the Government focuses on coping with an extra one million residents in southeast "; S10[49]=" Queensland over the next 15 years, farmers are battling the worst drought in a century as well as having to cope with being on the "; S11[49]=" losing end of several recent urban planning decisions.
      The South-East Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy interim report, released earlier this year, "; S12[49]=" detailed options for ensuring the region's water needs were better met, ranging from new dams to recycled water projects and desalination plants.
      "; S13[49]=" However, it stated that there were 'very few dam sites or aquifers available where new water supplies can be developed cheaply'.
      "; S14[49]=" 'Under these circumstances, urban requirements could be expected to be predominant and it is unlikely that significant additional surface and groundwater supplies will be "; S15[49]=" able to made available for rural purposes,' the report stated.
      Queensland Farmers Federation chief executive officer, John Cherry, said yesterday the "; S16[49]=" declining capacity of the region's rural sector to cope with drought and dwindling water supplies is 'a difficulty but inevitable'.
      He "; S17[49]=" said in the Logan Valley, the water allocation from Maroon Dam to the township of Beaudesert was doubled last year, leaving local farmers without a "; S18[49]=" viable water allocation.
      They had been forced to restructure their crops and wait out the drought, he said.
      "; S19[49]=" Rural water allocations from the Moogerah and Wivenhoe dams had also fallen dramatically.
      'As water supply becomes tighter it will "; S20[49]=" become more of an issue,' he said.
      Natural Resources Minister Henry Palaszczuk said last month that rural water use issues would "; S21[49]=" be addressed in the final strategy report, due by the end of the year.
      However, documents associated with the strategy reveal "; S22[49]=" that the department's approach will regard making the best use of already available water as more important than ensuring future supplies for rural users.
  "; S23[49]="     But Mr Cherry said that without reliable water, the region's farms 'are not viable and a lot of that good land (set "; S24[49]=" aside for farming in the plan) just is not able to be used.
      'The plans makes it clear that people want "; S25[49]=" farms in the southeast,' he said.
      'But they can't be Disneyland farms, they've got to be genuine businesses with reliable water.' "; S26[49]=" Mr Cherry said the region's so-called 'salad bowl', the Lockyer Valley, was suffering a 'desperate shortage' of water... ";