Ben Quin
It is critical that Tasmania moves beyond the shallow prejudices of vested interests and entrenched positions in the conduct of these analyses and related water policy discussions. Water scarcity is a new phenomenon in Tasmania. If we don’t change course, our Apple Isle will soon become an irreparable fire-ravaged waste-land.
Dear Sir,
For much of South-Eastern Australia, including Tasmania, drought is now the real enemy. These ferocious fires are just an occasional ally of drought, but they do give lie to the bold political statements we hear on “drought proofing” Tasmania.
It is time to rethink the foundations of our economic development in Tasmania. Water must become the hub of every component of our economic and environmental planning. Yes, it might rain tomorrow, but we can no longer rely on the fact that it will rain enough.
We should commence immediately with public analysis of the business models of Hydro Tasmania and Forestry Tasmania, as these are public assets which have the greatest impact on the State’s water resources.
For Hydro, the old paradigm of using “cheap hydro power” to support energy intensive manufacturing is no longer true. We must review the logic behind the bulk power supply agreements that are in place and assess alternative values of Hydro’s water assets. For Forestry, the legislated requirement to supply 300,000 cubic metres of sawlogs and veneer logs each year appears to be driving a business model that is sending the Forest industry broke and accelerating the drying of our water catchments. Where is the logic in this?
It is critical that Tasmania moves beyond the shallow prejudices of vested interests and entrenched positions in the conduct of these analyses and related water policy discussions. Water scarcity is a new phenomenon in Tasmania. If we don’t change course, our Apple Isle will soon become an irreparable fire-ravaged waste-land.
Mr. Bartlett, what is our water policy?
Yours sincerely,
Ben Quin
Triabunna
