____ wrote on Jul 25^th, 2017 at 10:56am:


That's a little bigoted isn't it? Blaming a whole generation? Bit like blaming all poofs for AIDS or all muslims for ISIS.

I used to live in the Riverina.
I can only say that the 'Irrigation' set-up and network is absolutely astounding, impressive and very effective.
Even in a flood, thanks to the 'canals', the water always has somewhere to run and move to ...unlike floods everywhere else that just sit there like a dirty duck-pond.
It is an amazing place of Farming excellence. So much so, that besides so much 'Food Production' work out there - the place is a scenic beauty with all the Rural efforts.
The CSIRO had put forth the idea of $10 billion to reproduce another version of the Riverina in Diamantina/Gulf of Carpentaria area up north in QLD/NT.

Now, as for the Murray/Darling river systems having their water 'pilfered' by anyone and everyone for whatever reason? Well, for starters - you will have Farmers using water to meet their quotas, even if they don't actually 'need' that amount. Because, if they don't - their quota will be less the following year.

When in South Australia - yes, you would be well advised not to mention the 'water issue'  It's a very very sore issue and you are just asking for trouble if you don't watch your delivery. Just coming from NSW or QLD in that discussion will have you 'shirt-fronted' in a second  . I kid you not!

Long ago - the 'Water' issue, nearly erupted in 'WAR', regarding some of the 'water Barons' as they were known.
Water is far far more valuable than GOLD! People will get violent over the issue. What you saw on TV/Media is nothing, absolutely nothing!

My only view on the matter is that SOUTH AUSTRALIA will never get the 'justice' on this. They will continue to just get the ...trickle on effect. No way will the Government (regardless of Party) have the Power (enforcement) to stop what is going on.

South Australia is best to just seek an 'alternative route' to the problem.
My advice has always been (right from one of my first topics on this Forum many years ago) - that South Australia, in partnership with the NT, should build their own 'CANAL SYSTEM' running from the areas of the NT that are heavily monsoonal and flood prone - to drain down into South Australia more effectively than what either the Murray or Darling rivers can provide.
The benefit will be to both the NT and SA directly.

Other than that - SA really does need to plant a lot of trees to attract more rainfall. I can say this easy - because the State is almost barren of 'proper Trees' but for a few small spots.

miketrees wrote on Jul 25^th, 2017 at 8:26pm:



Nonsense - the 50-odd percent of floating voters who kick governments out can't all be non-working people.  Most are the opposite, and have the sense to see what a government is doing for them and the nation.

For those who missed the 4 corners show:

http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/2017/07/24/4705065.htm

Grappler Truth Teller Feller wrote on Jul 25^th, 2017 at 6:58pm:


Strange you mention stockpiling.

Interesting from the 4 Corners show was the fact these water stealers are stockpiling water and then on selling it downstream to other farmers on the Murray Darling.

Apparently at times they are making more out of selling the water they have largely stolen than bothering with growing cotton.

Another name that was interesting to hear as an owner of one of these massive farms with large water storage filled from the MD was Chris Corrigan of the Patrick Stevedores wharfies strikes fame.(1998)

Redmond Neck wrote on Jul 26^th, 2017 at 9:18am:




Bloody Wharfies! They eat Bikers (Bickies) with their cups of tea.

Bobby. wrote on Jul 26^th, 2017 at 6:35am:



Transcript.

http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/2017/07/24/4705065.htm

LINTON BESSER: The dying river redgums of the Macquarie Marshes were a wake-up call prompting one of the biggest economic reforms in the country's history - The Murray-Darling Basin plan.

Now after five years and billions of taxpayer dollars there are real questions about whether Australia's fragile inland ecosystem has been saved.

RICHARD KINGSFORD: Look, we all hoped because of the state of the Murray-Darling basin that the basin plan would essentially take this patient, which was essentially in the intensive care unit, out of the intensive care unit and be able to make it walk again but essentially the basin plan is not working the way it was meant to work.

The whole idea of water for the environment was that water would come down these river systems and make its way right down to the end.

You know, it would be there for Aboriginal kids to play in at Wilcannia.

It would be there for the environment down at Menindee lakes.

And we don't know where that water's going? and we don't know what's happening to that water?

It just seems bizarre, and particularly when there are so many major players that are potentially exploiting the system.

LINTON BESSER: The Murray-Darling Basin Plan may not yet have saved the river, but it's made a fortune for the lucky few.

MAL PETERS: There is no question, in my mind, that the majority of Australians supported the expenditure of a huge amount of money, 13 billion dollars, billion dollars, to fix the river.

If the outcome of it is, that we have a very few number of irrigators that have got a huge windfall out of this, I think everybody will be disgusted.

PHILLIP O'CONNOR: Well, it's just whether the people care, Linton, whether they care about the river.

cods wrote on Jul 25^th, 2017 at 10:17am:


What's with you & your anti QLD bent Cods?

You do realise that central & western NSW have been in drought for just as long as any ..... droughts are usually occurring from the nth to sth across states in western areas.

And yes there are properties in QLD milking & probably pinching more water than they should from the MD system ........ Cubbie Station is one of the biggest ....in a good year it can store as much as Sydney Harbour. 500,000 megalitres.

This one station with a licence of 460,000 megalitres is equivalent to all the NSW licenced irrigators down stream in the MD combined.

Quote:


We should not be growing cotton in marginal channel country in Australia ... it's the most water & pesticide reliant crop that can be grown.

It is destroying the MDB river system.