We are drying out in Western Australia. What would be interesting is to see graphs for the region over 100,000 years instead of 50 odd.

Are dams in Western Australia even viable? The next generation should provide the answers.

With Western Australia and in particular Perth drying out, the Water Corporation of Western Australia implemented Target 60. Target 60 combines education involving water usage and communicates personal saving targets to the population. The target is a savings of 60 litres of water per person per day.

What is amazing is how effective the campaign appears to have been. Follow the link to explore Target 60 & see how actual water savings equates to target water savings.

CSIRO have completed short term water supply & demand modelling for Western Australia covering the next twenty years and the scenario is frightening. Surface water running into dams & rivers could reduce by up to 50%, the Gnangara Mound faces a one third decline by 2030 and rainfall is expected to fall by another 7% after falling by 15% since 1970. With the forecast extreme climate changes and significant population growth there could be a water deficit of 250 gigalitres per annum. Unless energy costs fall significantly, converting sea water to drinkable water will mean much higher costs for our water.

Market forces will probably lead to adaptation in the way that West Australians live, particularly in relation to the size and design of our dwellings and their garden surroundings. Lawns & European style gardens will need to make way for desert, Mexican & native gardens as well as synthetic lawns.

With the Copenhagen summit on climate change less than three months away, and governments the world over engaged in intensive discussions and preparations, it feels like we are finally standing at a true crossroads.

One direction leads to a vision of a sustainable future, with adequate energy, food, and water for all without compromising the welfare of future generations.

The other direction is a continuation of the path we're currently on, which the vast preponderance of empirical evidence says is not sustainable, but which continues to be vigorously defended by vested interests.

Talking points at C2030 Broome on some big ideas for a big region were presented & debated by Nick Belyea, Broome international Airport, Carol Martin MLA, Member for the Kimberley, Sue Thom, Cable Beach Club Resort, Bill Reed, Linneys, Peter Yu, Yawuru man from Broome & Professor Lyn Henderson-Yates, Notre Dame University

Some of the interesting ideas & observations included –

·         Better infrastructure & facilities needed for a burgeoning tourist population. A simple but necessary requirement is for more toilets on the vast expanse of highways & roads throughout the Kimberleys

·         Broome has the potential for a regional hub status, being closer to Singapore than any other Australian centre & being close to the tourist mecca of Bali

·         There is significant scope for a large hotel complex at Willy Creek or Baobab Beach

·         There could be a fast ferry service from Broome to Bali

·         Better sports facilities for the youth in the area

·         A museum & art centre in Broome to celebrate the rich, cultural history of the area & to add to the already flourishing arts & cultural movement that is growing & gaining traction in the diverse, multicultural environment

·         Better educational facilities for the growing population and specifically for the disadvantaged

·         Move the Broome airport

·         Build a marina complex with at least seven stories in Broome

·         Build a fast rail link between Perth & Kununurra

·         Modify the structure of the political controls that allocate resources in the region

·         Bring the people up to the Kimberleys, don’t worry about taking the water to Perth