Murray Darling water data now online
April 24, 2009 12:01am
THE deteriorating state of the Murray Darling Basin can now be monitored by everyone online.
Climate Change and Water Minister Penny Wong today unveiled a website to track the state of water storages across the Murray Darling Basin (MDB).
The data on public and private storages is already collected by the Murray Darling Basin Authority, but Senator Wong said putting this information online was important to cut through inaccurate information running through public debates.
"We think it's very important with the issue of water being front and centre for so many people, particularly, that we have as much factual information available as we are able," she said.
"We are facing real and substantial challenges in the MDB. Our job as a government is to do two things: to try to improve the health of the rivers . . . by purchasing and investing in water savings and the second is to try and make our irrigation industries more efficient.
"We face a generational challenge here, (and it is important that) we have a discussion that is based on fact so people know it is what government and the community are dealing with and there can be an informed discussion about the way forward."
"I hope this information will make clear what is happening and ensure we have a good basis for discussion about the way forward."
The website, at www.mdba.gov.au/water/waterinstorage, shows the entire basin contained only 17 per cent of its 22,621 Gl storage today.
The troubled Lower Lakes contained just 687 Gl of its 2015Gl capacity, based on 117 years of data.
The data does not show delivery water – additional water required to bring it into the Lakes – or evaporation losses.
Senator Wong was less forthcoming about the treatment of water security issues in next month's Federal Budget.
"We have made a commitment on the $12.9 billion and that commitment has been very clear from the election and from our first budget.
"In relation more broadly to Budget matters, I don't intend to engage in any Budget speculation."
She dismissed recent reports showing an increase in the Antarctic ice sheet as disproving climate change.
"The reports I've read show it is a pattern of Antarctic ice and while some parts of Antarctica appears to be experiencing some increase in ice coverage, there's also a decrease in other parts.
"This needs further research . . . but the consensus of science is that climate change is happening and that human activity is contributing to it."
"It is time for us to get on with acting and we will do that by passing the legislation the government will bring forward this year."
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