Water Smart Australia Program

I received a letter back from The Hon David Hawker MP who had received advice from Malcolm Turnbull, The Minister for Water Resources, that the proposal may be eligible for Australian Government funding under the $1.6 billion Water Smart Australia Program. So I have contacted Mr Paul Handscombe who has said that he will look at it.

Latest from Wannon Water

Brad Henderson told me that he is having a meeting with surrounding water management organisations in July and he is going to take the desalination proposal to them for possible inclusion in their strategic planning.

Wannon Water, Hamilton, express interest

Graham phoned me this evening with the latest news:

Wannon Water rang this afternoon, asking for a copy of the concept paper because they are very interested in seeing my perspective on the desalination project and its prospects for water crisis solutions in country Victoria.

Copy to Glenelg Shire Council

We've just received news that the proposed Heywood Pulp Mill would not be going ahead as the company were now going to build one at Penola.

This is a great loss to the Shire who have spent a lot of time and effort and maybe money in attracting this company to our shire.

I decided to present the desalination plant concept as a "ray of hope". Councillor Joy Benbow tabled Recycling - Hot Topic or Just Hot Air? and The Clever Country - Dying of Thirst at tonight's Council meeting.

Bill Meldrum from The Portland Observer asked for copies.

Copy to the Bendigo Advertiser

I wonder if Bendigo residents are concerned that their water storages are less than eight percent? Do they wonder whether the superpipe can really answer their needs? Would they be interested in supporting and pushing for a guaranteed supply of water from the south? Sent a copy to Mr Peter Hyett – The Bendigo Advertiser.

Copy to Catherine King

I contacted Cathering King with the idea that even if the superpipe fails to deliver water from the stressed Murray Goulburn system to Central Highlands, then (given forward planning) connecting a pipeline from a Portland desalination plant to Ballarat would deliver water all the way north.

Copy to ABC

Ballarat's superpipe has been much in the media lately. It seems absurd to be building a pipe from a stressed water resource in one part of the state to an almost empty one further south. I do hope they're engineering in a two-way pumping system. Surely sourcing NEW water is a wiser move. I sent a copy of the concept paper to Stephen Martin, Reporter from the ABC Office, Ballarat.

Copies to Kevin Rudd and Peter Garrett

Not hearing from Mr Albanese's office, I decided to go to "the top" because the ALP seem to be more focussed than government on the climate crisis. Latest versions sent to Kevin Rudd MP and Peter Garrett MP, Federal ALP.

Update: 2/5/07: Nothing heard back.

Copy to The Age

I saw an article in The Age mentioning that the state is considering a desalination plant to supply Melbourne, so I sent a copy of my concept paper to Debbie Cuthbertson, Chief of Staff, The Age. She said she was more interested in breaking news and she would pass the story on to her reporting staff who might follow it up.

Copy to Denis Napthine

Perhaps my local state member would be interested? I sent a copy to Dr. Denis Napthine, State Member for South West Coast. He thought it was a good idea too.

Copy to Anthony Albanese

I've been updating the Dying of Thirst paper with further research. I sent a copy to Mr. Anthony Albanese, Federal Shadow Minister for Water Infrastructure.

Copy to Malcolm Turnbull

I sent an updated copy through David Hawker's office to The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull MP, Federal Minister for the Environment . I've had no reply.

Update: 23/4/07: I sent a third copy direct.
Update: 5/5/07: Still no reply.

Presentation to Alcoa, Portland Aluminium

I presented the paper and idea to the general manager and his assistant at Portland Aluminium. They expressed interest and said they'd get back to me.

Copy out to David Hawker

So, I sent a copy off to The Hon. David Hawker MP, Federal Member for Wannon. In his reply he said he thought the idea had merit, and that he would pass it up to the Minister for Water, Malcolm Turnbull.