How blind are they? The Federal Government has announced a study into tropical irrigation potential. Meanwhile, the State Government has announced an irrigation review, the second part of which will look at the northwest of WA. How many more reports, reviews, statistics and investigations do we need? If either government took the time to examine the existing information, I'm sure that all the information they require is accessible. |
What we are not seeing is any move to progress Ord Stage II. The dams are already in place; the environmental studies have been done. All that is needed is a 'slowly, slowly' approach to development of infrastructure to allow local knowledge and diverse forms of agriculture to be part of the project. If the Ord Valley is to retain the sugar mill and the town of Kununurra is not to be strangled, then it's high time the State Government 'pulled its finger out' and showed some leadership. |
If the Federal Government wants to identify more potential tropical irrigation, then it needs look no further. We have it here with plenty of potential and no more dams needed. As for warnings of 'community backlash', perhaps the greens should conduct a survey of community opinion, instead of acting like football hooligans in front of visiting heads of state. |