After reading Elaine’s editorial of the January/February edition and Gary Fooks contribution, it got me thinking about an old poem by Banjo Patterson that goes back to the 1890’s called “The Song of the Artesian Water”. It graphically describes water well drillers out in the boon docks of Central Queensland, putting down a bore in what looks like the beginnings of a very bad drought. It’s serious but lighthearted and recommended to all to read.
What they were really telling us even back then is that we had a problem, and the problem was water security. Politicians ignore it because it’s just too darned hard and yet, it’s inevitable that this country will be forced to take advantage of that wonderful asset, water, in spite of what it may cost to make it happen.
THE GREAT ARTESIAN BASIN, A MISSED OPPORTUNITY
That Basin as we all know is one of the largest underground water reservoirs in the world. Its spans nearly a third of Australia,
an island continent. This immense resource is replenished by monsoonal rains and has
the potential to transform regional Australia. Its capacity remains underutilised due to the lack of strategic infrastructure projects. Since the Snowy Mountains scheme – thank Robert Menzies for that- there’s been little progress in building a system that needs to ensure water security for the whole nation. Visionaries like John Bradfield, the man who built the Harbour Bridge, recognise the potential of Australia’s water resources. In 1933, Bradfield proposed redirecting the northern rivers into the Murray Darling basin to irrigate drought-stricken regions and support agricultural activity. Here we are, a century later and we see his vision remains unrealised. Farmers, miners and regional communities are left asking, “Why hasn’t this been done?”
AUSTRALIA DAY – SHOULD WE BE CELEBRATING?
Australia has demonstrated its ability to achieve remarkable feats. During World War 2 the nation tripled productivity, putting ladies to work in factories because the men were all off fighting. We proved that we could rise to any challenge when the stakes are high. Yes, there were one million men and women in uniform in 1945, with a total population of the country at 7 million. That’s right one in every 7 people were in uniform.
Following the war a journalist, Luscombe, writing under the pseudonym of Veritas identified water security as Australia’s most pressing issue. His detailed proposal for redirecting rivers to replenish the Artesian Basin remains just as relevant today.
Unfortunately, political short-termism stalled progress!
The Hundred Dams Project, developed by Tony Abbott and Barnaby Joyce, offered cost effective solutions with political instability derailing their ideas. Real progress requires long term commitments which may only be achieved by extending Federal Government terms to enable grand scale planning.
THE COST OF INACTION
Failing to address water security not only risks agricultural and mining productivity but also undermines Australia’s ability to withstand the effects of climate change. Droughts, increasingly frequent and severe, threaten regional economies and livelihoods.
Without intervention, the nation’s dependance on dwindling water supplies could lead to economic stagnation and a loss of global competitiveness. Investing in water infrastructure is not just an economic imperative but a social one. Regional Australia has survived on agriculture and mining. Supporting those communities through secure water access will ensure their survival and prosperity, preserving an essential part of what makes Australia unique.
GROWING GLOBAL POPULATION
With current estimates suggesting that we’ll be at 12.5 billion people by 2050, Australia has a critical role to play in feeding the world. Our agricultural input will need to double or even triple to meet that demand. Water is the foundation for achieving this, yet millions of litres are wasted each year flowing unused into the oceans that surround this wonderful country.
To invest in water infrastructure projects, Australia could increase agricultural and mining productivity while also supporting global food and fibre. From innovative dam and channel systems to advanced water well drilling, the tools and expertise exists. All we need is the vision and the will to implement them and yet we don’t see any Liberal, Labour or National Party member standing up before an election to make this pitch to the nation.
The problem is the nation doesn’t know, doesn’t understand and unfortunately is largely ignorant of what every farmer, regional town council or for that matter, Australia’s mining giants know, water is the key.
TECHNOLOGY MUST BE THE SOLUTION
Recent advances in water technology offer promising solutions for Australia’s challenges. Smart irrigation systems, powered by real time data, allow farmers to optimize water usage. Similarly, advance filtration recycling methods can ensure that water is reused effectively across industries. Investing in these technologies not only boosts productivity but also demonstrates Australia’s commitment to a sustainable development.
On that subject, renewable energy resources like solar and wind can power water pumping and desalination systems. This reduces operational costs and the environmental impact. By integrating these innovations Australia could lead the way in sustainable water management practices. CSIRO, WHERE ARE YOU?
WHY WAIT?
The leadership that Menzies showed after the war transformed Australia. It wasn’t only the encouragement of Australian industry (tariffs on imported goods), but also the beginning of the grand plan to bring water security to the nation. It started with the Snowy Mountains Scheme and has largely been ignored as a way forward since.
Ion Idriess, he fought at Gallipoli, was in the Light-horse chasing the Turks out of Palestine, was a prospector, stockman and ultimately, in his later life, a journalist.
Writing about the floods in 1956 he said, “Pause, and, if only for a moment, try to imagine the unimaginable volume of fresh water that has rushed away to sea in these last few years alone. Then imagine the broken hearts that would not break, the homes we should save, the jobs we should keep, the individual national wealth that we should retain – imagine what we could do with that water in drought times”.
It’s time for Australia to reclaim its vision and ambition.
By prioritizing water security, we can unlock the potential of our natural resources, ensuring regional sustainability and at the same time, cement our position as a leader in food and fibre.
We treasure our mining industry but, we’re not just miners!
The path is clear, all we need is the political courage to sell the idea to the nation. My personal belief is Australia is hungry for political leadership. A grand plan to develop this wonderful country by providing water security for all of regional Australia could be a vote winner.
All we need is the right investment and the leadership to unlock the riches below that are just waiting for the drillers to start drilling. We know we have the tools and the technology, what we need is the will to act!
