COG people
If you dont want prime bird habitat flooded then I suggest you read below, make
comments and get active.
Benj Whitworth
_____
From: Trish Harrup
Sent: Thursday, 3 February 2005 7:39 PM
To: Trish Harrup
Subject: Water message from CCSERAC
Dear Members and Friends,
The Water issue is hotting up in Canberra with debate focusing around
Canberra's future water supplies.
WE NEED YOUR HELP
* Write to the Canberra times
* Submit a short comment on 2 key water related studies.
1. CANBERRA TIMES
Recent articles and letters in the Canberra Times have promoted dams, piping
water from the Tantangara or the Murrumbidgee, or using environmental flows to
supply Canberra's water needs. There has been only occasional pieces promoting
water efficiency or arguing against the aforementioned options.
Please send a letter to the Canberra Times supporting water efficiency, water
recycling and environmental flows.
Email:
<> keeping letters to 250 words or
less, type or copy text into email, do not send as an attachment. Letters 50
words or less are used for the "To the point" section
Or
Write to: Letters to the Editor, The Canberra Times, PO Box 7155, Canberra Mail
Centre, ACT 2610.
See also "ISSUE BRIEFS" below for some ideas.
2. SUBMISSIONS DUE NOW!!!
By the end of March we will see the release of two reports, one by ACTEW into
future water supply options and one by Environment ACT into environment flows.
Both reports are still open for submissions. With some sections of the
community clamouring to build new dams or to appropriate environmental flows
for human consumption, it is important for people supporting the opposing views
to submit to one or both of these studies.
Submissions don't need to be long, a paragraph or two would be great.
ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS SUBMISSION - Due 11th of February
Environmental Flow Guidelines A Technical background Paper was released 18
December for public comment.
The Environmental Flow Guidelines A Technical background Paper and supporting
documents can be downloaded from the ACT website using the following link.
http://www.environment.act.gov.au/airandwater/environmentalflowguidelineswebpage.html
You are welcome to submit written submissions on the Environmental Flow
Guidelines Technical Background Paper to: Environmental Flow Guidelines, Water
Resources Unit, Environment ACT, PO Box 144, Lyneham ACT 2602 by 11 February
2005. Comments can also be emailed to <>
or faxed to 6207 6084.
ISSUE BRIEF
The following points could be included in your submission.
* Want retention of environmental flows to sustain ecological values.
Supportive of:
* flows that mimic natural flows, i.e. variable,
* flows that support ecological management objectives.
* adoption of adaptive management techniques to improve ecological
management.
* more monitoring of effects of environmental flows on health of ecosystems.
* careful management of environmental flows in drought conditions.
* improved public awareness and communications .
FUTURE WATER OPTIONS - Due 28th February
Community consultation on the ACT's Future Water Options is underway.
Questions being asked include: Will we have enough water in the ACT? Do we need
more water? Which future water option would be best?
Submissions can be made at their website.
http://www.actew.com.au/futurewateroptions/consultation.aspx
<http://www.actew.com.au/futurewateroptions/consultation.aspx>
ISSUE BRIEF - FUTURE WATER OPTIONS
The Conservation Council opposes a new dam in the ACT (Council Policy)
The following points could be included in your submission.
* Water reuse and recycling before damming!
* Our water resource is finite - Our use should be too!
* Get Smart on Water Use - Using Less doesn't mean Living Less!
* We can save money, water and the environment by using existing resources
more effectively.
* Water efficiency, reuse and recycling has the potential to satisfy all
aspects of the current water supply challenge
* Saving water at home starts with good housekeeping
See also "ISSUE DETAIL" below.
FUTURE WATER OPTIONS - PUBLIC DISPLAY AND OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT
"The final opportunity for the community / interested groups to comment will be
at seven days of public exhibitions to be held during February 2005. The public
exhibitions will be as follows:
* 18-21 February - Canberra Business Promotion Centre, Regatta Point;
* 23 February - Queanbeyan Council Chambers; and
* 25 February - Cooma / Monaro Council Chambers."
ISSUE DETAIL - FUTURE WATER OPTIONS
1. Building a new dam is a far more expensive option economically, socially and
environmentally than investment in re-use and reduction in the use of water. A
policy decision to build a new dam will enable Canberrans to continue wasteful
water practices including operating extensive sprinkler systems rather than
drippers, using highly water inefficient appliances like top loading washing
machines and single-flush toilets and designing high water use gardens. In
addition, there will be little incentive for households to install rainwater
tanks, grey water systems and other water efficient systems/technology.
2. Water efficiency, reuse and recycling have the potential to satisfy all
aspects of the current water supply challenge and should be fully explored. All
means to reduce water use before investment in additional water supply options,
ensures the responsible and sustainable use of this invaluable resource.
Not only are Australians the second highest users of domestic water in the
world, but Canberrans are the third highest consumers of water, in comparison
to other major cities in Australia, after Darwin and Hobart, consuming around
385 litres per person per day.
Canberrans' potential for water saving is huge!
We need to implement a range of measures to change our water consumption and
enhance re-use of water. If we don't change our habits and the infrastructure
that propels our wasteful use of water, we will continue to risk the long-term
security of water supplies for the ACT, irrespective of how many dams there are
in the ACT.
3. An assessment of supply options must include a comprehensive environmental,
social and economic cost/benefit analysis. This assessment should be
undertaken by the Environmental Protection Authority, as the independent
manager of our water resources under the Water Resources Act or another
appropriate organisation that does not have a vested interest in selling more
water.
4. It is inappropriate for ACTEW to manage consideration of future water supply
options as it is pro-dam and has a vested interest in the building of a new dam
5. The Environment Protection Authority, an independent body and manager of our
water resources, or another appropriate organisation that does not have a
vested interest in the building of a new dam should manage processes relating
to water demand and supply.
6. The Government has committed to avoiding the building of a new dam. Meeting
and exceeding the targets for potable water saving will give us the best chance
possible to avoid the need to construct a new dam.
Trish Harrup
Director
Conservation Council of the SE Region & Canberra
GPO Box 1875 CANBERRA ACT 2601
ph: 02 6247 7808 fax: 02 6248 5343
The Conservation Council is Canberra's peak non government, environment
organisation. As an umbrella organisation, the Conservation Council represents
the interests of community and conservation organisations in the ACT and
Australian Capital Region as well as the broader environmental interests of all
citizens of the ACT. The Council's mission is to achieve the highest quality
environment for Canberra and the surrounding region
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