tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36822997428466615472024-02-08T15:04:15.356+11:00Are we the Clever Country?Australians are renowned as inventors and innovators. However, Climate Change is proving to be a substantial challenge to our nation. We can still do a lot more in solving our water crisis and also in fighting bushfires. There are solutions - we need to direct more effort and research to address Climate Change Issues.moonflowerdragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732125574025543300noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682299742846661547.post-73308994581037858822011-02-24T12:59:00.000+11:002011-12-16T14:20:31.853+11:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2FEwM2WeOMGlV8mCDBXJsvC92O1uJuOGiqrVoTYuCn5XqqTM9rZqwyN1EfRzwlAOZ4-HbZPgjgl2s7JOLLEmU5OT-FRTRpUIj8C49LRs2RTCBSVQDorPuAU6AlOCt5pCluJOHnnVWlQ/s1600/Toowoomba+Inland+Tsunami.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2FEwM2WeOMGlV8mCDBXJsvC92O1uJuOGiqrVoTYuCn5XqqTM9rZqwyN1EfRzwlAOZ4-HbZPgjgl2s7JOLLEmU5OT-FRTRpUIj8C49LRs2RTCBSVQDorPuAU6AlOCt5pCluJOHnnVWlQ/s320/Toowoomba+Inland+Tsunami.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><b>Inland Tsunami - Toowoomba</b></i> - <i><b>January 2011</b></i> Image - Courtesy of Yahoo News<br />
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<br />
Much has happened since 2009. <br />
<br />
After a long-term drought, culminating in our worst Bushfire Season, we experienced some of the worst floods in our history. <br />
<br />
The Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane experienced an<i><b> "Inland Tsunami",</b></i> as Australia experienced weather extremes that left many dead, destroyed homes and livelihoods and broke the hearts of survivors.<br />
<br />
Whilst these widespread rains brought disastrous floods, they also replenished our rivers and floodplains, enabling a resurgence in farming and pastoral activity.<br />
<br />
<br />Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138802903146618027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682299742846661547.post-90670164442144805972009-11-24T17:45:00.000+11:002009-11-24T17:45:28.556+11:00An Answer to the Long Dry SpellThanks to the efforts of Australian research teams led by Dr. Caroline Ummenhofer & Professor Matthew England of the UNSW Climate Change Research Centre, it now appears that an explanation has been found for Australian long-term droughts. <br />
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This weather phenomenon is known as The Indian Ocean Dipole. Climate observations from over 100 years, extending back to the Federation Drought, were analysed for this study.<br />
<br />
Significantly, The Indian Ocean Dipole [IOD] is the dominant weather pattern over the Southern parts of Australia - relegating the El Nino and La Nina events to a secondary role.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKW9j_7np4jAAal0WCLx8Ul4oKTa25aGGzFIVk7pHRGticpKFcRjnyslQsVp8jyrDJM2LtWngUU9Tjp-eW2bfktyr7TqYeI21edqmtFj2lnOkYzSdNslbHHKegWjKqnEwpjageaQAXbs/s1600/Indian_Ocean_Dipole.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKW9j_7np4jAAal0WCLx8Ul4oKTa25aGGzFIVk7pHRGticpKFcRjnyslQsVp8jyrDJM2LtWngUU9Tjp-eW2bfktyr7TqYeI21edqmtFj2lnOkYzSdNslbHHKegWjKqnEwpjageaQAXbs/s320/Indian_Ocean_Dipole.png" /></a><br />
</div>Note that Northeast NSW and Southeast QLD regions are affected during BOTH phases of the IOD cycle. <br />
This is bad news for residents and holidaymakers. It will have major impacts on water, infrastructure and planning, well into the future.<br />
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Further details of this research are provided, courtesy of Bob Beale at the Faculty of Science, on the University of NSW website, link below;<br />
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<a href="http://www.science.unsw.edu.au/news/indian-ocean-drought/">http://www.science.unsw.edu.au/news/indian-ocean-drought/</a>Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138802903146618027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682299742846661547.post-70482582870328296762009-11-16T17:59:00.005+11:002009-11-16T19:24:09.915+11:00Dry Spell Continues -- Fire Threat Increases"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2009/11/16/qld-bushfire-threatens-homes/" height="280" src="http://kwout.com/cutout/6/pi/7x/5az_bor_sha.jpg" style="border: medium none;" title="Bushfire threatens homes | Sunshine Coast News | Local News in Sunshine Coast | The Sunshine Coast Daily" usemap="#map_6pi7x5az" width="608" /><map name="map_6pi7x5az"><area alt="" coords="537,37,552,54" href="http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2009/11/16/qld-bushfire-threatens-homes/#textlarger" shape="rect"></area><area alt="" coords="555,37,570,54" href="http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2009/11/16/qld-bushfire-threatens-homes/#textsmaller" shape="rect"></area><area alt="" coords="574,37,589,54" href="http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2009/11/16/qld-bushfire-threatens-homes/#print" shape="rect"></area></map><br />
<div style="margin-top: 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2009/11/16/qld-bushfire-threatens-homes/">Bushfire threatens homes | Sunshine Coast News | Local News in Sunshine Coast | The Sunshine Coast Daily</a> via <a href="http://kwout.com/quote/6pi7x5az">kwout</a><br />
</div></div><br />
"The fiery debate continues over how to best secure our water future. Meanwhile, we remain firmly in the grip of the on-going drought.<br />
Bushfires are sure to become a very real danger in the coming summer months unless we soon get rain.Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138802903146618027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682299742846661547.post-11501787878975051012009-11-16T17:22:00.004+11:002009-11-16T23:36:38.992+11:00Peter Garrett's Ruling - For the Environment"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2009/11/11/garrett-reveals-decision-traveston-dam/" height="315" src="http://kwout.com/cutout/7/ah/zq/s2u_bor.jpg" style="border: medium none;" title="Garrett rejects Traveston dam | QLD News | Breaking News in Queensland | The Sunshine Coast Daily" usemap="#map_7ahzqs2u" width="600" /><map name="map_7ahzqs2u"><area alt="" coords="538,45,553,61" href="http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2009/11/11/garrett-reveals-decision-traveston-dam/#textlarger" shape="rect"></area><area alt="" coords="557,45,572,61" href="http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2009/11/11/garrett-reveals-decision-traveston-dam/#textsmaller" shape="rect"></area><area alt="" coords="575,45,590,61" href="http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2009/11/11/garrett-reveals-decision-traveston-dam/#print" shape="rect"></area><area alt="" coords="192,77,263,90" href="http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/search-results/?page=searchresults&cx=005684713114513801790%3Amp-vtgt-5ek&cof=FORID%3A11&ie=UTF-8&q=Peter+Garrett&sa=#1124" shape="rect"></area><area alt="" coords="144,92,280,105" href="http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/search-results/?page=searchresults&cx=005684713114513801790%3Amp-vtgt-5ek&cof=FORID%3A11&ie=UTF-8&q=Traveston+dam&sa=#954" shape="rect"></area><area alt="" coords="17,195,239,208" href="http://media.apnonline.com.au/img/media/pdf/TRANSCRIPT_Traveston_111109.pdf" shape="rect"></area></map><br />
<div style="margin-top: 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2009/11/11/garrett-reveals-decision-traveston-dam/">Garrett rejects Traveston dam | QLD News | Breaking News in Queensland | The Sunshine Coast Daily</a> via <a href="http://kwout.com/quote/7ahzqs2u">kwout</a><br />
</div></div><br />
"Peter Garrett stops the Traveston Crossing Dam -- a massive problem for the QLD State Government, reported to have spent $598 Million <b>before </b>securing a green-light from the Commonwealth Government. <br />
<br />
We still haven't fixed the underlying issue - a chronic lack of water in an already dessicated landscape.<br />
<br />
The Mary River eco-system had to be saved - a significant natural riverine habitat. There are the historic communities and the fertile farmland too - productive land - a raritity in our increasingly harsh Australian Environment.<br />
<br />
Where to next?<br />
<br />
<br />
Dams are out! Could Desalination be the only reliable way to secure our water future?<br />
<br />
What would you do if you were running the current Queensland Government?Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138802903146618027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682299742846661547.post-29077290988861525542009-11-07T21:48:00.074+11:002009-11-08T22:20:43.022+11:00An Alternative to the Traveston Crossing Dam - A paper entitled "Traveston Crossing - Dam Solution or White Elephant?"</br><br />
This proposal provides a viable alternative to building the Traveston Crossing Dam. <br />
The paper is entitled <b>"Traveston Crossing - Dam Solution or White Elephant?"<i></i></b><br />
<br />
<br />
It is not simply a plan to secure water for our future, as it also fits within a larger framework - for example, this plan;<br />
<br />
1. Incorporates the new weather phenomenon findings, published in February 2009, that explain 120 years of drought in Eastern Australia - including SE QLD.<br />
<br />
2. Details a more efficient and cost-effective alternative - the distillation plant should have a maximum cost of less than $1.0 Billion - estimated savings of over $500 Million can then be used for other projects.<br />
<br />
3. Provides a turn-key solution for guaranteed water - independent of weather, and/or the immediate requirement for another Reverse Osmosis Desalination plant that is close to the coast and subject to threat from sea-level rises - other similar sized plants take about 18 months - maximum.<br />
<br />
4. Prevents the loss of fertile farmland - at a time when farming foodbowls elsewhere are under threat from climate issues.<br />
<br />
5. Short-circuits all 1,200 conditions and environmental controversies over current Dam proposal - no wasted administration costs to police such conditions.<br />
<br />
6. Follows common-sense principles enabling clearly defined outcomes.<br />
<br />
7. NO BRINE waste by-product will be pumped back into Moreton Bay - yes, you read that correctly - No waste by-product to create further environmental damage.<br />
<br />
The Big Picture element chain incorporates all of the following;<br />
+ Natural Sequence Farming<br />
+ Cogenerative Desalination - Distillation using waste heat from a power station.<br />
+ Reforestation<br />
+ Erosion Control & Prevention<br />
+ Recharge Parched Rivers & Aquifers - east and west of the Great Dividing range<br />
+ Flush the Brisbane River system<br />
+ Reduce Moreton Bay pollution<br />
= A sustainable plan for the future<br />
<br />
<br />
<a title="View Traveston Crossing - Dam Solution or White Elephant? on Scribd" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/22242182/Traveston-Crossing-Dam-Solution-or-White-Elephant" style="margin: 12px auto 6px; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; display: block; text-decoration: underline;">Traveston Crossing - Dam Solution or White Elephant? </a> <object codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" id="doc_731911376804419" name="doc_731911376804419" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" align="middle" height="500" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=22242182&access_key=key-jms9sv8ercxuyto4iym&page=1&version=1&viewMode=list"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="play" value="true"><param name="loop" 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</object>Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138802903146618027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682299742846661547.post-7056483873162749662009-03-06T09:15:00.007+11:002009-03-08T00:24:21.215+11:00Murray Darling Basin Problems Increase - Bring in the Legal Teams<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theage.com.au/environment/court-fight-looms-over-river-20090305-8q2u.html"><img src="http://kwout.com/cutout/w/n3/2v/7gy_bor.jpg" alt="http://www.theage.com.au/environment/court-fight-looms-over-river-20090305-8q2u.html" title="Court fight looms over river | theage.com.au" style="border: medium none ;" width="359" height="449" /></a><p style="margin-top: 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theage.com.au/environment/court-fight-looms-over-river-20090305-8q2u.html">Court fight looms over river | theage.com.au</a> via <a href="http://kwout.com/quote/wn32v7gy">kwout</a></p></div><br />Just when communication, cooperation and cohesion are required to address the Murray-Darling Basin [MDB] crisis, we see effort, costs and focus elsewhere.Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138802903146618027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682299742846661547.post-68762698988189578812009-02-10T23:42:00.019+11:002009-04-10T14:58:26.374+10:00Victorian Firestorm Catastrophe"<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://kwout.com/cutout/9/bz/bh/rwd_bor.jpg" alt="http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/looking-for-answers-in-the-ashes-20090209-8286.html?page=-1" title="Looking for answers in the ashes | theage.com.au" style="border: medium none ;" usemap="#map_9bzbhrwd" width="462" height="578" /><map name="map_9bzbhrwd"><area coords="80,14,106,27" href="http://www.theage.com.au/blogcentral/" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="80,30,123,43" href="http://www.theage.com.au/cartoons/" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="0,14,23,27" href="http://news.theage.com.au/world/" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="0,46,9,59" 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coords="210,184,308,197" href="http://www.theage.com.au/travel/activity/" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="210,216,272,229" href="http://www.theage.com.au/travel/holiday/" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="210,232,237,245" href="http://www.theage.com.au/travel/destination/" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="340,152,385,165" href="http://weather.theage.com.au/local.jsp" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="340,168,426,181" href="http://weather.theage.com.au/local.jsp" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="340,184,412,197" href="http://weather.theage.com.au/state.jsp" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="340,200,382,213" href="http://weather.theage.com.au/australia.jsp" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="340,216,367,229" href="http://weather.theage.com.au/world.jsp" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="340,232,371,245" href="http://weather.theage.com.au/marine.jsp" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="340,248,420,261" href="http://weather.theage.com.au/snow.jsp" alt="" shape="rect"></map><p style="margin-top: 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/looking-for-answers-in-the-ashes-20090209-8286.html?page=-1">Looking for answers in the ashes | theage.com.au</a> via <a href="http://kwout.com/quote/9bzbhrwd">kwout</a></p></div>"<br />South Australia already have one type of Armoured Firefighting Vehicle. The Fire King, which is built in Bendigo, Victoria has successfully withstood the CSIRO burn-over test for 20 minutes in a 1,000 deg C heat.<br /><br />The Fire King is a variant of the Australian designed Bushmaster Armoured Personnel Carrier, that is currently in use with the Australian Army overseas.<br /><br />As Frank Campbell points out, the fire-tankers in current use have to be withdrawn from the fire front when the flames rise above 1 or 2 metres in height. The Armoured Strike Team Vehicles [including the Fire King] are designed with enough protection to enable firefighters to <span style="font-weight: bold;">attack the fire</span>.<br /><br />When will these vehicles be introduced into the Victorian Firefighters arsenal??<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarELbipasf_J409g2puA9PHNeLEtC7C7WVxjS1hfVJ19nB8LAjYH7WKqOUrhsF_zturKTB9CHiadW9HfoOKU1Awor7hCs0Xd0di1Ak8fNMKm1BGdZvEOFCSgzvB_q-xQcZe-cDrcE-_c/s1600-h/Fire+King+SA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarELbipasf_J409g2puA9PHNeLEtC7C7WVxjS1hfVJ19nB8LAjYH7WKqOUrhsF_zturKTB9CHiadW9HfoOKU1Awor7hCs0Xd0di1Ak8fNMKm1BGdZvEOFCSgzvB_q-xQcZe-cDrcE-_c/s320/Fire+King+SA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301167856778917890" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Operational Fire King in Service with Forestry SA - 2007 - photo: Graham Bates, page 28, <a href="http://arewetheclevercountry.blogspot.com/2007/10/fighting-bushfires-with-tanks.html">"New Recruits for our Ashes Team."</a>Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138802903146618027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682299742846661547.post-36200977253217814432009-02-10T15:13:00.001+11:002009-11-12T09:12:00.877+11:00<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138802903146618027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682299742846661547.post-6401966947711191272008-06-30T23:16:00.006+10:002009-11-07T22:22:48.807+11:00SA Needs Help - VIC Could Help With Portland DesalinationSouth Australia calls for help with water crisis from the other States:<br /><br /><br /><div class="kwout" style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://kwout.com/cutout/9/hd/8s/2uk_bor_rou_sha.jpg" alt="http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/18/2278191.htm" title="SA alone can't save lower Murray, Coorong: minister - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)" style="border: medium none ;" usemap="#map_9hd8s2uk" height="349" width="596" /><map id="map_9hd8s2uk" name="map_9hd8s2uk"><area coords="319,297,587,310" href="http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200803/r234748_942902.jpg" alt="" shape="rect"></map><p style="margin-top: 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/18/2278191.htm">SA alone can't save lower Murray, Coorong: minister - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)</a> via <a href="http://kwout.com/quote/9hd8s2uk">kwout</a></p></div><br />The Portland Desalination proposal not only offers a water solution to benefit South Australians and Victorians. This idea can also be duplicated within South Australia to produce even more water:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://arewetheclevercountry.blogspot.com/2008/03/nyrstar-lead-smelter-at-port-pirie.html">As suggested to management staff at the Port Pirie lead smelter</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://arewetheclevercountry.blogspot.com/2008/03/onesteel-whyalla-looking-at-thermal.html">As suggested to the management team at Whyalla steelworks</a></li></ul>Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138802903146618027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682299742846661547.post-4988309394644133922008-06-28T22:59:00.001+10:002009-11-07T22:22:01.258+11:00Disaster Looms for Murray Darling - Time for Portland Desalination?Scientists warn of impending collapse of the Murray Darling Basin.<br /><br /><div class="kwout" style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://kwout.com/cutout/n/ne/7n/ife_bor_rou_sha.jpg" alt="http://www.theage.com.au/national/murraydarling-months-from-disaster-20080618-2sf8.html" title="Murray-Darling months from disaster | theage.com.au" style="border: medium none ;" usemap="#map_nne7nife" height="238" width="431" /><map id="map_nne7nife" name="map_nne7nife"><area coords="0,6,17,19" href="http://news.theage.com.au/world/" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="0,38,3,51" href="http://media.theage.com.au/?category=World%20News" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="74,0,115,3" href="http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="74,6,100,19" href="http://www.theage.com.au/blogcentral/" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="74,22,117,35" href="http://www.theage.com.au/cartoons/" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="74,38,110,51" href="http://www.theage.com.au/editorial/" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="74,54,107,67" href="http://www.theage.com.au/letters/" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="74,70,119,83" href="http://blogs.theage.com.au/yoursay/" alt="" 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href="http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/beauty/" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="74,176,100,189" href="http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/bridal/" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="74,192,91,205" href="http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/diet/" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="74,208,111,221" href="http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="74,224,103,229" href="http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/health/" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="204,144,237,157" href="http://www.theage.com.au/travel/" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="204,160,246,173" href="http://www.theage.com.au/travel/australia/" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="204,176,302,189" href="http://www.theage.com.au/travel/activities-interests/" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="204,192,287,205" href="http://www.theage.com.au/travel/deals-bookings/" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="204,208,266,221" href="http://www.theage.com.au/travel/short-breaks/" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="204,224,231,229" href="http://www.theage.com.au/travel/world/" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="334,144,379,157" href="http://weather.theage.com.au/local.jsp" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="334,160,420,173" href="http://weather.theage.com.au/local.jsp" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="334,176,406,189" href="http://weather.theage.com.au/state.jsp" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="334,192,376,205" href="http://weather.theage.com.au/australia.jsp" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="334,208,361,221" href="http://weather.theage.com.au/world.jsp" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="334,224,365,229" href="http://weather.theage.com.au/marine.jsp" alt="" shape="rect"></map><p style="margin-top: 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theage.com.au/national/murraydarling-months-from-disaster-20080618-2sf8.html">Murray-Darling months from disaster | theage.com.au</a> via <a href="http://kwout.com/quote/nne7nife">kwout</a></p></div><br />When will our leaders begin to seriously consider the potential <a href="http://arewetheclevercountry.blogspot.com/2007/04/overview-of-portland-desalination-plant.html">solution offered by a Thermal Desalination Plant at Portland</a>.<br /><br /><ul><li>harness geothermal energy,<br /></li><li>recycled heat from an Aluminium Smelter,</li><li>provide a new source of water for communities extending from South-west Victoria to Ballarat, Bendigo and Mildura.</li></ul>Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138802903146618027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682299742846661547.post-32224133429463705822008-06-27T21:59:00.001+10:002009-11-07T22:10:20.405+11:00River Systems Threatened - Desal Can Help!<a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/17/2277161.htm">Jennifer Macey - ABC Radio - reported</a> that CSIRO scientist Dr. Tom Hatton warns that overuse of groundwater resources threatens river systems.<br /><br />Thermal Desalination, using the distillation process can help with aquifer recharge - the sterile feedstock water can be injected into the aquifer system without introducing foreign organisms or chemicals.Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138802903146618027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682299742846661547.post-80390709927089743762008-05-11T16:54:00.007+10:002009-11-07T22:20:35.441+11:00Look Out -- La Nina Event OverAnyone hoping for a 'natural fix' for our continuing Foodbowl drought crisis - Murray-Darling Basin - should review the <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/enso/">latest Bureau of Meteorology ENSO report</a>.<br /><br />The Murray Darling Basin Commission [MDBC] <a href="http://www.mdbc.gov.au/__data/page/1366/Drought_Update_Issue_13_-_May_2008.pdf">Drought Update of May 2008 [PDF]</a> is also of interest - the are no references for gaining 'new' water sources to boost river inflows.Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138802903146618027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682299742846661547.post-29259087894808690572008-05-07T16:29:00.005+10:002008-09-27T22:53:02.205+10:00ABC Landline - Sunday 4th May, 2008<a href="http://www.abc.net.au/landline/content/2006/s2234794.htm">Interesting segment <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Rice Shortage Critical</span>, by Tim Lee from the ABC</a> - focussing on the Murray-Darling Water Crisis.<br /><br />One part dealt with the rice growing regions and their lack of sufficient water -- claims that Australian Rice Producers are among the most efficient and productive in the world. This fact linked in with the story about food riots in 10 countries in the past 2 months, where rice staple food prices had risen by 70%. This years crop will be only 20,000 tons - down from several Hundred Thousands as per non-drought norm.<br /><br />Cross reference this with:<br /><ol><li>Burma cyclone -- how much rice is grown here?</li><li>Major increase for basic food staples because of the use of traditional food crops as an energy source to reduce dependence upon oil.</li><li>Continuing political problems in Africa.</li></ol><br />We should be helping all stakeholders in our 'Foodbowl Regions', including farmers, irrigators and environmental users, rather than just focus on buying back irrigation allocations so that we can just maintain river flows -- after all -- the drought is continuing, and the BOM has no rainfall relief predicted for the forseeable future.Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138802903146618027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682299742846661547.post-54880523763278646692008-05-07T16:18:00.005+10:002009-11-07T22:22:13.731+11:0060 Minutes TV Programme - Sunday 4th MayIntriguing segment about the <a href="http://www.ebroadcast.com.au/enews/nine/THIS-WEEK-ON-60-MINUTES-020508.html">Murray-Darling and the critical effects seen at the Coorong</a> in South Australia.<br /><ul><li>Dairy industry decimated<br /></li><li>Lake Alexandrina has the appearance of a desert, rather than a wetland.</li><li>Bird life being seriously affected by the salinity -- up to 10 X normal in some parts of the 'wetlands'.<br /></li><li>No discussion on any potential solutions.<br /></li></ul>Without any substantial, consistent and continuous water input, how can this disaster be prevented from continuing??<br />Perhaps it is time to review <a href="http://arewetheclevercountry.blogspot.com/2007/04/overview-of-portland-desalination-plant.html">Desalination at Portland, VIC.</a>Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138802903146618027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682299742846661547.post-86910805727952132042008-04-03T22:46:00.006+11:002008-09-27T21:38:22.200+10:00Topsoils Blown AwayTerrible news from the ABC -- After the massive windstorms that swept through southern parts of Australia, reports suggest that tonnes of priceless topsoils have been stripped off our farmland. <br />Putting environmental flows back into the Murray is <span style="font-weight:bold;">vital</span> -- so too is providing the farmers with enough water for their paddocks -- bind the soil & enable growth of ground cover. Drought does more than dry up rivers -- it puts our soils up into the <span style="font-weight:bold;">Extreme Erosion</span> risk category. <br /><br />Check out story here <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/200804/s2206971.htm">ABC News</a>Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138802903146618027noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682299742846661547.post-8542015912340731702008-03-29T21:15:00.002+11:002008-09-29T22:35:44.324+10:00Aerosol Pollution - What part in Ice-cap Meltdown?Our polar icecap meltdown is accelerating.<br /><br /><a href="http://nsidc.org/news/press/20080325_Wilkins.html">Satellite images displayed at the National Snow and Ice Data Centre in March 2008</a> of the Wilkins Ice-sheet [part of the West Antarctic Ice-shelf - WAIS] melting, have me worried:<br /><br /><div class="kwout" style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://kwout.com/cutout/s/h2/97/gyj_bor_rou_sha.jpg" alt="http://nsidc.org/news/press/20080325_Wilkins.html" title="Antarctic Ice Shelf Disintegration Underscores a Warming World" style="border: medium none ;" usemap="#map_sh297gyj" width="372" height="419" /><map id="map_sh297gyj" name="map_sh297gyj"><area coords="11,314,360,326" href="http://nsidc.org/news/images/20080325_wilkins_figure2.jpg" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="162,371,293,383" href="http://nsidc.org/news/images/20080325_wilkins_figure2.jpg" alt="" shape="rect"></map><p style="margin-top: 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://nsidc.org/news/press/20080325_Wilkins.html">Antarctic Ice Shelf Disintegration Underscores a Warming World</a> via <a href="http://kwout.com/quote/sh297gyj">kwout</a></p></div><br />The report by the US National Snow and Ice Data Center discusses the latest images in context of other large ice-melt events.<br /><br /><blockquote style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">"The Wilkins is one of a string of ice shelves that have collapsed in the West Antarctic Peninsula in the past thirty years. The Larsen B became the most well-known of these, disappearing in just over thirty days in 2002. The Prince Gustav Channel, Larsen Inlet, Larsen A, Wordie, Muller, and the Jones Ice Shelf collapses also underscore the unprecedented warming in this region of Antarctica."</blockquote><br />See the British Antarctic Survey [BAS] PDF report - <a href="http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/press/journalists/resources/science/ice_shelf_science_briefing_2008.pdf">British Antarctic Survey's version of this joint release</a>.<br /><br />The NSIDC have reported on other disturbing breakups on the <a href="http://nsidc.org/news/press/wilkins/index.html">Wilkins Ice Shelf</a> and the <a href="http://nsidc.org/news/press/larsen_B/index.html">Larsen B collapse</a>.Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138802903146618027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682299742846661547.post-31915911257404794182008-03-27T14:01:00.002+11:002008-09-27T21:40:02.270+10:00Nyrstar Lead Smelter at Port Pirie notifiedSenior staff of the Nyrstar Lead Smelter in Port Pirie given copies of the Thermal Desalination proposal in early March 2008.<br />Port Pirie is close to the Mining Operations at Roxby Downs and Olympic Dam -- they may require additional water to further develop their mining resources, given the current boom in the mining sector.Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138802903146618027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682299742846661547.post-66964375166531863412008-03-27T13:52:00.006+11:002008-09-27T21:40:02.270+10:00Onesteel Whyalla sent papers on Thermal DesalinationContacted <a href="http://www.onesteel.com/onesteel%5Fwhyalla/inductions/courses/unit217/topic3/page1/default.htm">Onesteel Whyalla</a> management -- passed on the Desal proposal to them. Their blast furnace process generates temperatures of 2,000 deg C - they already capture part of this heat for use in other parts of the steelmaking process. Hopefully they can also use some for thermal desalination.Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138802903146618027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682299742846661547.post-1759741666184733622008-03-21T13:22:00.009+11:002008-09-27T21:40:02.270+10:00Water for South AustraliaVisited Adelaide - many gardens dead - very dusty - high level of water restrictions in place - La Nina event produced floods in QLD, no respite for SA.<br /><br />Adelaide also just experienced a 1 in 3,000 year event of continuous hot days [15 days over 38 deg C]. <br />Now there is more stress on the Murray River and Groundwater resources - as per the fourfold increase of salinity levels in the Coorong, extremely low water levels in Lake Alexandrina etc. Some of the groundwater resources failed on a couple of occasions in the past.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Action</span>: Desalination Proposal sent to:<br />* SA Members of Parliament -- including the Premier, Mike Rann; MP, Andrew Evans; Federal Senator-Elect, Nick Xenophon.<br />* Private industry - staff members at the Nyrstar Lead Smelter at Port Pirie. <br />The concept may also be used by the Onesteel Facility at Whyalla.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Rationale</span>: Original paper with Heat Capture/Heat Exchanger process focusses on the Aluminium Smelter at Portland VIC, but it can be used in any Heavy Industry process producing large amounts of heat as a byproduct.<br /><br />With the Federal Govt have still not able to reach agreement over a comprehensive Murray River Strategy [VIC are still holding out] it looks like the Murray Basin will not get any new water recharge action anytime soon.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Conclusion</span>: By sending this material directly to the South Australians, they may be able to go ahead themselves in a joint venture with SA Heavy Industry to build 2 small [20 M/litre day] Low Temperature Distillation Desal Plants at Port Pirie and Whyalla. <br />If successful, the plants may be extended/expanded to make South Australia more drought-proof.Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138802903146618027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682299742846661547.post-90778473130617664462008-03-21T13:10:00.004+11:002008-09-27T21:41:59.482+10:00AS Leopards Unsuitable for ConversionBad news - the original concept was to demilitarise and convert the Australian [AS model A3] Leopard Fleet into a Firefighting Role - unfortunately this plan is unworkable - these tanks are too old for conversion.<br /><br />Good news - New Leopards [A4 models] are currently available from the US and Germany already specifically designed and configured for firefighting. <br /><br />The original paper NEW RECRUITS FOR OUR ASHES TEAM, will be revised soon.Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138802903146618027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682299742846661547.post-17982137398328549682008-01-20T20:55:00.000+11:002008-09-29T21:13:37.869+10:00Big Trouble in West Antarctica - Ice Shelves Rapidly MeltingIn an article by Leigh Dayton in <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Australian</span> on 15th January, 2008 -- Scientists are alarmed about an estimated 200 billion tonnes of ice that melted from the <a href="http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23052256-2,00.html">West Antarctic Ice Shelf [WAIS] in 2006. </a><br /><br /><div class="kwout" style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://kwout.com/cutout/h/qm/eq/s2u_bor_rou_sha.jpg" alt="http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23052256-2,00.html" title="Antarctic ice cap melting faster than first thought | NEWS.com.au" width="608" height="349" style="border: none;" usemap="#map_hqmeqs2u" /><map id="map_hqmeqs2u" name="map_hqmeqs2u"><area coords="493,14,599,21" href="http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="447,36,462,51" href="http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23052256-2,00.html#" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="466,36,481,51" href="http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23052256-2,00.html#" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="561,36,576,51" href="http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23052256-2,00.html#" alt="" shape="rect"><area coords="584,36,599,51" href="http://www.news.com.au/email/popup/0,23605,23052256-2,00.html" alt="" shape="rect"></map><p style="margin-top: 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23052256-2,00.html">Antarctic ice cap melting faster than first thought | NEWS.com.au</a> via <a href="http://kwout.com/quote/hqmeqs2u">kwout</a></p></div><br />Hobart based glaciologist, Ian Allison, with the Australian Antarctic Division and the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Co-operative Research Centre, comments"<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">"This work suggests that the ice flow is accelerating," Dr Allison said.<br /><br />"It's worrying because ... the changes are happening due to processes we don't understand." </span><br /><br />I spoke in March, 2008 with another scientist, Dr Ross Edwards, from the Desert Research Institute in the US, who is conducting further research into these <span style="font-style:italic;">'unknown processes'</span>, as stated by Ian Allison.Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138802903146618027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682299742846661547.post-72847132372322773892007-10-28T14:46:00.000+11:002008-09-27T21:41:59.482+10:00German Airmatic Firefighting tankHere is a video from Youtube about the latest German designed firefighting tanks - note that this vehicle is easily traversing along the bitument roads in this town without "ripping up" or damaging the road surface.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CzIYr3rM448&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CzIYr3rM448&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138802903146618027noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682299742846661547.post-60776539000866531862007-10-22T17:35:00.000+10:002008-09-27T21:41:59.483+10:00Fighting Bushfires with TanksThis paper outlines a demilitarisation plan for the Australian Leopard Tanks which are currently being replaced by the Abrams M1A1 tank.<br /><br />A German manufacturer is providing equipment that enables conversion of Leopards into a firefighting role. These vehicles will then be capable of providing the maximum amount of protection for crews and also the maximum in 'bushfire knockdown capability' of any ground based vehicle on the fireground. <br /><br /><br /><object height="500" width="450"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="SameDomain"><param name="movie" value="http://static.scribd.com/FlashPaperS3.swf?guid=ck3vvc8ct0wlj&document_id=412112"><embed src="http://static.scribd.com/FlashPaperS3.swf?guid=ck3vvc8ct0wlj&document_id=412112" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="500" width="450"></embed> </object>Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138802903146618027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682299742846661547.post-34790249379371313142007-06-16T13:06:00.001+10:002007-06-16T13:16:31.100+10:00Scribd: Document viewing statsWow, Scribd is fantastic. Not only do you get to embed the document in your own blog or webpage, but you get to view statistics on where people have viewed the document, and receive readers' comments (when they make them). <br /><br />What a great five-star service from the people at Scribd.<br /><br />I discovered today that <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/50363/Clever-Country-Dying-of-Thirst-APR-ver-12">93 people have viewed my <span style="font-style: italic;">Dying of Thirst</span> document</a>, a sample:<br /><br /><blockquote><span style="font-size:85%;">93. Fri Jun 15 21:18:30 CDT 2007 : Melbourne, 07 (Australia)<br />92. Fri Jun 15 13:07:41 CDT 2007 : Abu Dhabi, 01 (United Arab Emirates)<br />91. Fri Jun 15 04:30:34 CDT 2007 : S?o Gon?alo, 21 (Brazil)<br />90. Thu Jun 14 01:53:20 CDT 2007 : Phoenix, AZ (USA)<br />89. Wed Jun 13 08:41:09 CDT 2007 : Fort Myers, FL (USA)<br />87. Sun Jun 10 23:26:36 CDT 2007 : Greensted, F6 (Great Britain)<br />86. Fri Jun 08 19:32:38 CDT 2007 : Wilmington, DE (USA)<br />85. Fri Jun 08 14:10:08 CDT 2007 : Mairhof, 07 (Austria)<br />84. Tue Jun 05 19:36:01 CDT 2007 : Sydney, 02 (Australia)<br />81. Sun Jun 03 21:57:37 CDT 2007 : Nagpur, 16 (India)<br />80. Sun Jun 03 21:54:25 CDT 2007 : Nagpur, 16 (India)<br />79. Sat Jun 02 03:45:59 CDT 2007 : Wanilla, 05 (Australia)<br />76. Fri Jun 01 03:24:56 CDT 2007 : Forestville, 02 (Australia)<br />74. Thu May 31 18:57:14 CDT 2007 : Bronx, NY (USA)<br />63. Fri May 25 19:17:42 CDT 2007 : Barajas, 29 (Spain)<br />38. Fri May 18 01:34:15 CDT 2007 : Trezzano Sul Naviglio, 09 (Italy)<br />31. Wed May 16 00:56:40 CDT 2007 : Ogbourne Saint George, N9 (Great Britain)<br />29. Tue May 15 13:40:57 CDT 2007 : Essen, 07 (Germany)<br />28. Tue May 15 06:57:58 CDT 2007 : Managua, 10 (Nicaragua)<br />23. Mon May 14 12:45:16 CDT 2007 : Taipei, 03 (Taiwan)<br />16. Sun May 13 11:12:25 CDT 2007 : Bangalore, 19 (India)<br />13. Sun May 13 06:20:19 CDT 2007 : Prilesje, 20 (Croatia)<br />3. Sat May 12 09:19:10 CDT 2007 : Kawasaki, 19 (Japan)</span><br /></blockquote>Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138802903146618027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682299742846661547.post-64399975510454800462007-06-16T12:47:00.000+10:002007-06-16T12:54:41.978+10:00Reader Comment to Herald SunIn case my reader comment ends up unpublished here is a copy of my comment:<br /><br /><blockquote>Big Picture - there are several types of desalination processes: <br />1. Reverse osmosis - salt water is pumped at high pressure through a membrane/filter to get fresh water. High energy costs and the water is not distillated (risk of virus transmission).<br />2. Thermal process - salt water is boiled and the distillate is clean sterile fresh water. <br />(more can be learned about the different types of desalination processes from articles listed at [<a href="http://arewetheclevercountry.blogspot.com/2007/06/find-out-more-on-desalination.html">my previous post</a>])<br /><br />I have proposed a thermal desalination plant to be colocated with the Portland Aluminium Smelter - the idea is to capture the heat byproduct from the smelter process to save on energy. Also using geothermal resources to reduce operating costs.<br /><br />Others have commented on our "Clever Country" status - coincidentally that is the theme of a blog [<a href="http://arewetheclevercountry.blogspot.com">Are we the Clever Country?</a>] that discusses our need for developing new sources of fresh water.</blockquote>Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138802903146618027noreply@blogger.com0