Phone: 02-99138603    02-95341194
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Email: Barry@growmax.com.au

WATER FOR AUSTRALIA'S WATER PROJECT

THIS APPLICATION IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LARGE WATER RESOURCE DEVELOPMENTS - RAPID ASSESSMENT PROCESS

1. 0 INTRODUCTION

In the past, and even now, the world's environment has been abused to such an extent that, if we don't read the signs the planet is sending us, we will not continue to enjoy the lifestyle that the affluent nations are currently promoting. We cannot continue this extravaganza without a consequential effect.

As far as Australia is concerned, the consultants hired by both The Australian Conservation Foundation and the National Farmers Federation report, predict that we face the loss of 15.5 million hectares, equivalent to 70% of Victoria to salinity. The report continues ---"the estimated total cost of resource degradation to be more than 2 billion dollars, about half the net annual value of farm production which was 3.9 billion dollars, 1998-1999" ---" unless action is taken to address the problems, the annual cost of dryland salinity alone could increase to 670 million dollars in 2020.

The focus of the A.C.F and N.F.F. is to plant 40,000 million trees across Australia as the main part of their more than 65 billion dollar program.

We agree with a massive tree-planting program. However, our approach differs from the A.C.F. and N.F.F. solutions, in that we take an approach that is both environmentally oriented and profitable. Our scheme will not only regenerate but it will also produce timber from huge sawlog plantations using our strip farm 30 year rotation method and achieve the same ends on a profitable and sustainable basis. Our proposed tree plantations will have continuity of essential water supply from a water grid, anchored to large reservoirs from lined converted mining voids, which until now, pock marked the Australian landscape. We would also use water storage in covered water flow collectors designed to suit the location. Water would be piped - no more open channels. Our method would turn Australia's salt problem into a flourishing industry along with clean green power production and a lucrative expansion of our aquaculture industry. A percentage of the profits can be spent on improvements to the environment.

Australian Governments have legislated some of the interesting and pristine areas as National Parks and heritage listings. This has happened thanks to the Green organisations and others who care about preserving the environment of the planet. These people have influenced governments and even engineers to focus on the environment. Some of the major corporations are now taking notice and reforming their policies in this direction e.g.B.P., Shell and many others.

We will now discuss the environment and how it integrates as part of the National Water Grid and inland industry plan

Our holistic lateral thinking approach to environmental protection in our proposed, profitable, inland development scheme is as follows:

Wildlife corridors that interconnect our National Parks would be established. This would be achieved by planting native trees and shrubbery for 100 meters each side of every running creek and river. These areas would be isolated from farm animals by a suitable fence, which would be gated for recreational access, and crossings would be provided for split farms. These fences would prevent damage to the vegetation and riverbanks. The trees and shrubbery would protect the creeks and rivers by acting as a filter and interceptor of farm run-off in the form of nutrients, pesticides and chemicals.

The growing of mixed type, saw log tree plantations on now degraded and salinated land, is made possible with our combined farming and value-adding, industrial approach. The crop production from these plantations means that our unique old growth forests and our northern neighbours' rainforests can be left as wildlife nature reserves and tourist attractions. The timber production will service domestic and world markets. If planted now the timber will meet the critical timber shortages forecast for the year 2050 and thereafter. Reference Fig. 13, 4, 16

The plan requires the cooperation of local government areas to establish processing plants to combine sewage, biodegradable garbage and organic material from inland towns and cities to make up a compost mulch to be used to bring back fertility to salinated degraded land. The result would be a dramatic reduction of nutrient loads now entering our river systems, which are one of the causes of blue-green algae. This would lead to cleaner river flows, and the use of compost would help to reintroduce biomass in the treatment of our degraded soils.

In extreme drought conditions, with the support of the water grid, an adequate clean flow can be maintained in our river systems within the area covered by the grid. This environmental benefit would not be possible without a water grid.

From now on we must focus on sustainability, and this can be achieved by a commonsense attitude by leaders when assessing major world infrastructure changes. In the proposal we are putting forward we have tried to balance sensibly between human needs and the environment.

The nation water grid is a network of pipes for the distribution and supply of water on a permanent basis. The grid is composed of a series of 300mm (inside diameter) subsurface, flexible pipe mains laid out in a one kilometer, criss-cross pattern. This pattern applies across the plains, while the mains extend into the floors of the valleys and gullies, in undulating topography. At each intersecting point of the mains a suitable water flow collector is constructed. Its function is to collect local run-off, store it, or redirect the water through the grid system to other storages for use when needed. The entire system is backed up to allow a permanent clean water supply within the area covered by the grid.

One of the design features of the grid is that it can be used to transfer salinated water, by special route selection, to strategically placed desalination process plants, until the problem is rectified. The same applies to the desalination and use of ocean water, which can be piped inland, desalinated, and added to the water available for agriculture. Construction of the grid can be commenced in many areas at the same time; the pipes can be linked up later as the grid is expanded to meet national water requirements. Reference Fig. 7

The construction of The National Water Grid and the resolving of the land salinity problem is an integrated, sustainable system, linking nature, rural production and several support industries. This combination will restore degraded land and provide hope for our farming communities and give resilience to the environment.

In order for an assessment of the water grid concept, its environmental impact, and the many benefits that it can offer, we require a hands-on trial area of 100square kilometers. The assessment would include the construction and installation of all the facilities, to fully test all aspects of the proposal. Reference Fig. 5

We have put together plans and estimates of the project so that the Government and interested parties can see where we are coming from. Our calculations show a long-term profit can be realised as well as eliminating salinity and providing a permanent water supply with the National Water Grid; many environmental aspects now threatened, or already destroyed, will be restored.

The proponents of The National Water Grid consider it a tool, which will revive Australian agriculture, by allowing the establishment of a combination of industries, to restore land degraded by salinity caused by detrimental farming practices. The land is brought back to fertility by improved strip tree farming, using 30 year rotation and desalination techniques, plus further development of aquaculture and hydroponics industries. Integral with this revival of soil fertility is the manufacture of salt products and the generation of clean, green power. All of this can be achieved and a profit made at the same time, giving hope to our farming communities as being an integrated, sustainable system.

For the National water grid to function within its design criteria, each of its sectors requires a water anchorage. This is a body of water that will guarantee supply within a designated section of the grid. The anchorage can be a good supply of ground water, a large dam, converted mine site reservoir, or an ocean.

We must identify what we are trying to achieve in repairing Australia's landscape. There is a kaleidoscope of ideas on what should be done. Whatever is decided, water is the key to a sustainable result. Land zoning will be required on a National basis to balance the requirements of all the stakeholders. Zones would include areas of regeneration of the biodiversity; areas for high production sustainable farming in conjunction with diverse strip tree plantations; and areas of mixed activities.

TO FIND BALANCED ANSWERS

We have to find balanced solutions to Australia's water and salinity problems. The following are a list of some of the main problems and our answers. The list is not in order of priority.

Problem A

Australia is a large island continent of generally low profile and its rainfall inland is many times less than its evaporation rate.

Answer A

In the design of the grid all water stored in water flow collectors and pipe mains is under cover and drip irrigation is used on plants just before dawn to allow soak to reach the root zones just on sunrise. The large water anchorages will be used in aquaculture farming and the water evaporated will be replenished by ground or ocean water.

Problem B

Australia is considered the driest inhabited continent on earth.

Answer B

The water grid would allow ample water for rural and domestic purposes within the grid area.

Problem C

Australia has a fairly flat interior of decomposing mantle, which was once a seabed, with an uncoordinated drainage pattern due to its flatness.

Answer C

Because of this flat profile Australia is an ideal country for broad acre farming, within WFA environmental guidelines. This is not possible now because of lack of water. If the water grid is adopted this would change, because the grid would act as a water supply and a coordinated drainage transfer system. Reference Fig. 7

Problem D

Australia has a high, unused runoff from the Great Dividing Range on its eastern verandah coastline and other northern rivers that have high flows from tropical downpours.

Answer D

Much of the wasted flows, where practical, can be diverted to the dry interior regions. This would both benefit the west, and lessen the damaging impact on the East Coast caused by excessive flood flows; and also lessen delta and ocean siltation.

Problem E

Australia receives the bulk of its rain in the north in the summer period and in the south by its winter rain and between these two rainfall patterns is the Dead Horse Latitude that receives infrequent rain. The North or South weather pattern conditions or incoming moisture from the Indian Ocean, influences this area.

Answer E

The grid allows for excess water falling in the rain belts and ocean water to be transferred to desert areas within the Dead Horse Latitude.

Problem F

Australia has a vast amount of groundwater; some locked up in artesian reservoirs and some free ground water that drains to the oceans. Much of our groundwater needs the removal or a reduction of fossil salts and other minerals before it can be used for agriculture or as potable water.

Answer F

The design allows for reuse of travelling free ground water, by interception and desalination using it on crops so that the only losses occur through plant transpiration and evaporation, and the balance of the water returns by soak on its journey to the ocean. This interception is repeated many times until the remainder enters the ocean. This inland precipitation presently goes to waste, except a small amount that is picked up by scattered bores. We would only use the artesian water at the same rate at which it is recharged.

Problem G

The accumulation of salt, causing wet and dry land salinity on this continent is due to bad practice in irrigation or geological history.

Answer G

The salination of our soils is now presented by recent press reports as being a critical situation. It is claimed that the salination invasion will wreck the Australian rural industry, if not checked. The apparent favoured solution is to pay some farmers to vacate their land, to plant salt resistant trees to be used as pumps to lower the water tables, hoping the salt menace will disappear. The WFA group sees salt as a window of opportunity, where Australia and its people can gain in several ways from this resource. We plan to start up salt based product factories in areas of high water tables with salt content higher than the ocean. There we will produce a number of products that are now imported, with emphasis on PVC crystals for feedstock for the extrusion of plastic pipes and injection moulding of components for the water grid. An important product of this operation is desalinated water that would be fed back through the grid to the farming community The products we manufacture will be packed and dispatched at the factory sites and will provide many jobs in that area. The market would support ten of these factories, which would use four million tonnes of salt and produce 280 gigalitres of desalinated water, per annum, extracted from the ground water. The estimated turnover from ten of these factories would be $1,600,000,000 per annum. The water tables will be lowered by accurate mechanical means, and will be operated mainly by solar power, eg. photovoltaic panels, wind turbines and solar ponds.

Problem H

Sheetwash and scour is caused by excessive water flows on scour grade.

Answer H

The volume of water is reduced by the volume of the storage capacity of the water flow collectors and back-up reservoir that are sited for collecting local run off. This reduction in flow will lessen the scouring that occurs with large volumes of water; also other methods which are already in use for scour prevention and restoration, would be used, eg. tree planting in appropriate areas and scour mats etc.

Problem I

Wind erosion causing topsoil loss and land degradation.

Answer I

The grid allows for ground to be kept moist until germination of the crop. This will bind the fine particles together until the plant has grown enough to hold the soil and prevent wind dissipation. Strip farming plantation methods help provide the necessary wind breaks.

Problem J

Urban flooding, causing property and public infrastructure damage, and hardship to town and city dwellers.

Answer J

Urban flooding occurs in many places in built up areas. The correct use of the water flow collector silo can eradicate this problem in most cases. Reference Fig. 6

Problem K

Overland floods causing very expensive property and public infrastructure damage, loss of soil, crops, farm animals and fauna.

Answer K

Overland flooding is a frequent problem; the same applies to droughts and the flood/drought syndrome can be greatly reduced by the use of the water grid tool. At most times there is either a flood or a drought taking place somewhere in Australia. The grid's role is to balance this situation by transferring water from where there is a surplus to where it is needed. Water transfer can take place at a rate of 11,120,000 litres for a distance of 319. 68 kilometers, in 24 hours per conduit, e.g. in a flood from Queensland to the Murray Darling Basin in New South Wales, up to 1,500 conduits could be in operation at one time, transferring floodwater at a rate of 16.7 gigalitres every 24 hours. This cross flow of water out of the flood path has water diverted into ex mine site reservoirs, water flow collectors and dams, plus soak and evaporation would dramatically reduce the full flood impact.

Problem L

Drought affected areas causing land degradation, loss of stock, crops, soil, flora and fauna and income.

Answer L

Droughts are common phenomena in Australia, and have caused our ancient soils to deteriorate mainly through lack of the moisture that supports the biomass, which is required in fertile living soils, but also through wind erosion. A permanent water supply, the establishment of diverse tree plantations and the eradication of excessive salt can overcome the problems of drought-induced land degradation, within the grid cover.

Problem M

Desertification creep causing loss of usable land and expanding deserts.

Answer M

When cutting through the red sandhills for the construction of the road from Mabel Creek to Emu Clay Pan, we found that the gidgee and mulga trees, which were still standing, had dissipated the wind load of fine particles and formed the red sand hills made up of wind blown topsoil from the adjacent gibber plains. This dryness, and the subsequent wind erosion, cause the desertification problem, which can be overcome by the erection of brush type fences on the top of the frontal dunes as a temporary measure. Later the gibber plains can be reinstated to fertility by returning this fine particle mass and mixing it with the gibbers down to the subsoil. This reconstituted soil will develop a proper granular structure, by having water, legumes and compost introduced to re-establish the biomass; thus, the process is reversed, changing desert creep into 'fertile farmland creep'.

Problem N

Loss of service industries in the bush and other facilities causes the drift of people to cities.

Answer N

These service industries will return when sustainable cash flows and guaranteed employment return to the rural people. This will happen when the water grid brings improved farming opportunities and the formation of other industrial support industries.

Problem O

Logging of old growth forests destroys the habitats of native flora and fauna, and our ancient and unique ecosystems.

Answer O

There is no need to carve up the natural beauty of our old growth forests for our timber requirements. Diverse sawlog plantations will adequately fulfil this requirement once established on the plains of inland Australia. This nation will earn more from the old growth forests by showcasing their pristine beauty to the world's tourists leaving all their biodiversity intact.

Problem P

Blue-green algae and inadequate flows in our river and wetland systems are causing environmental damage.

Answer P

The damage can be greatly reduced by maintaining adequate clean flows in the rivers and wetlands by the-back up use of the water grid and the protection from farm chemical pollutants given by the trees and shrubs in the wildlife corridors on both sides of all rivers and running creeks. The processing of sewage and garbage from inland towns and cities and converting it into compost results in a reduction of nutrient loads into the waterways.

Problem Q

Unemployment in the bush causes hardship, family split-ups and sometimes, even suicide.

There is uncertainty of the current position regarding sustainable income for many small farmers who rely on a fair commodity price and have been let down due to downturns in the fluctuating markets and also by higher costs associated with their industry.

Answer Q

The introduction of a linked income between annual rural crops and long term saw log crops as well as a return from the salt product factories, the production of biodiesel, and returns from aquaculture; all of these wherever possible are to be value added and marketed by farmers, and other stakeholders, preferably through co-operative ventures. This is made possible by the installation of The National Water Grid.

Problem R

The damage caused by feral animals requires their control or eradication.

Answer R

Each feral animal has a value if an industry is formed to exploit the potential that can turn this pest into income. This also applies to farm animals that have to be destroyed (except where infectious diseases preclude this) e.g. the blood and bone fertiliser, which is vital to Australia's soils, if no other market can be found for this resource.

Problem S

To make mining operations more environmentally acceptable

Answer S

The creation of lakes will act as a water storage and anchor for the water grid. These lakes, surrounded by trees and parks can be used for tourism and stocked with fish for an aquaculture industry or for recreation. This is achieved by lining prepared excavations and compacting excavated materials to suit the design. The technology required is available. Value adding to the aftermath of mining operations is both environmentally desirable and produces a sustainable water infrastructure. This action will have a profound effect on turning around the image of 'the driest continent on earth'. Urgent legislation is required to ensure that mining operators comply with a set of conditions to achieve this beneficial result. Coal mining open cuts would require a revised extraction plan as we are losing this golden opportunity.

2. 0 STRUCTURE OF THE RAPID ASSESSMENT PROCESS

Water for Australia has used the Rapid Assessment Integrated Process due to the fact, that our earlier submissions were inadequate in detail and did not align with the structure required by the evaluating offices of the Government. We believe that our submission now meets those requirements.

2. 0 PREPARATION OF A PRELIMINARY PROJECT STATEMENT

Our holistic and lateral thinking approach to solving Australia's water and salinity problems, and the restoration of degraded soil structure, plus the use of recycling and green power, and the setting up of industries, will involve many sections of the Australian population, who will benefit as a result of these activities. Many of the problems that beset the rural sector can be solved, improving the stakeholders' well-being and lifestyle, employment, economic situation and opportunities.

Farmers within the water grid cover will be able to put into practice a sustainable approach to their industry. No more fighting over water allocations; there will be low cost metered water for all. Crop start water will be assured, and the same applies to follow-up watering. A secure water supply takes the hit and miss factor out of long dry spells. There will be more control over excessive and damaging floods. Fertility will be restored to the earth as a result of the strip farming and thirty-year rotation method, plus the use of biodegradable organic mulch. Where WFA methods are used, farming will not only be viable, but also sustainable.

Business people, who depend on the farmers, will find that their turnover increases as their businesses expand, and there will be plenty of new opportunities for the rural unemployed. Long term sustainable employment will be created by the installation of the water grid, the establishment and care of plant nurseries and tree plantations, the salt product factories and the green power and aquaculture industries. There will be an increase in support industries such as transport and associated manufacturing industries. The program will create upwards of one million new jobs. The ripple effect will flow on to create energy and optimism and will improve the social fabric, especially in the country, where the present disillusionment and depression cause drug and alcohol abuse, suicides, and relocation to the cities.

Structure of Preliminary Project Statement

· Prospect for viability

The prospects of the viability of this large-scale infrastructure public works program are good when all factors are taken into account.

Australia has the potential to become a large world supplier of fresh and processed food. We have good hygiene laws covering food handling and processing. What holds Australia back from achieving this is the lack of a guaranteed supply of water to our rural producers, the salinity invasion, and the flood/ drought syndrome.

WFA's planned water harvesting and distribution program, coupled with a monitored application procedure that will supply the crop with just enough water for healthy growth and sufficient moisture to sustain the biomass within the soil profile, will provide this guarantee. This procedure would at the same time stabilize the water tables, without dislodging fossil salts.

Evaluating each of these above mentioned items will give some idea of the benefits and cash flows from each item.

Water

Water will be sold through a meter at a reasonable cost to the end user. The balance between the cost struck and the actual cost of supply, will be paid by the tax payer from the benefits that the water grid saves in other outgoing expenses, eg. drought relief, compensation and rectification of flood damage, and loss of revenue from failed crops and livestock. Not included in the cost is the environmental bill for continued degradation.

The estimated cost of the water grid is $1,157,496 per square kilometer. The construction cost per sq. kilometer 2% maintenance, contractor profits and running costs per annum taken over a period of 200 years will spread the cost per sq. kilometer, of water use, over eight generations. The estimated construction cost of $1,157,496 plus the accumulated maintenance, contractor profits and running costs of $4,629,984 = $5,787,479, divided by 200 years = $28,937. This will be on the annual rate payable on one sq., kilometer, or $289 per hectare per annum. The taxpayer and the mining industry will pick up the extra cost of the construction of the back-up supply.

Salinity

Western Australia has the most severe dryland salinity problem, 1.8 million hectares now being affected by salt. If nothing is done to address the problem, it is forecast to expand to 6 million hectares, representing the vast majority of that state's southern wheat belt. The concentrated salts in the groundwater and dry salt lakes could provide minerals for use in the domestic market and for export. Potassium, magnesium, zeolites, gypsum and common salt are some of the chemicals available, which can be produced by present technology. These important resources are being ignored.

WFA tackles the salinity problem head on and turns it around into a profitable industry for Australia. The WFA plan allows for the setting up of ten salt product and plastic factories in areas where the salinity is endemic. Each factory will produce up to twenty marketable items with a throughput of 400,000 tonnes of salt per annum. The throughput of the ten factories will be 4,000,000 tonnes per annum producing a cash turn over of $1,600,000,000 on items produced, with an estimated profit of $160,000,000.

Salt: Leading chemical feedstock

"Salt is used for the manufacture of chlorine, caustic soda and many other industrial and inorganic chemicals, and allied products. Chemical production is a major market for salt. During 1996, the most recent year for which data are available, 22. 4 million tons of salt (NaCl) were consumed by the chemical industry. The chemical industry is the largest single user of salt (dry salt and salt in brine) in the USA., representing about 42% of total salt consumption. More than 88% of the salt used for chemical manufacture was salt in brine, which is produced by solution mining underground halite deposits.---The remaining 12% was dry salt produced by rock salt mining, solar evaporation, and mechanical evaporation of solution-mined brine.

Electrolysis is used to break sodium chloride into its component ions and to make chlorine, caustic soda, sodium chlorite and soda chlorate, eg., Chlorine and caustic soda ( sodium hydroxide) are the two primary chemical products made from salt. 95% of salt used by the chemical industry is in the manufacture of chlorine and caustic soda. Chlorine has many uses. Gaseous chlorine and (the alkaline) caustic soda are produced when an electric current passes through saturated salt brine. Chlorine is an effective disinfectant and bleach. Downstream, vinyl chloride and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and their derivatives are produced from chlorine. ----."( British Salt web page etc.)

Every day, each of the earth's 5.9 billion inhabitants uses salt in some form. Annual salt production has increased over the past century from 10 million tons to over 200 million tons today. Nearly 11 nations have salt producing facilities ranging from primitive solar evaporation to advanced, multi-stage evaporation in salt refineries. Research needs to be done to determine whether salt distilled from ground -water represents a suitable supplement for humans.

PVC

The main product produced will be PVC as this plastic will be extensively used in the WFA water grid system.

What is PVC ?

"Polyvinyl chloride or PVC is a modern synthetic material and an important member of the extensive polymers family. Formed from two natural resources - salt (57%) and oil (43%)" The oil can be replaced by a derivative from coal. "PVC was one of the earliest plastics to be developed commercially. Now it is among the most widely used, with an enormous variety of applications in modern life-----. In 1996, the world consumption amounted to an estimated 23.3 million tonnes, of which 5.21 million tonnes was in Western Europe.

Overview of what makes PVC important for building and construction

PVC makes a major contribution to the quality, safety and cost-effectiveness of construction materials, as well as contributing to lower environmental impacts of completed projects. PVC is the most important polymer used in building and construction applications and over 50% of Western Europe's annual PVC production is used in this sector.

"10 Questions and answers about PVC

1/ Is PVC harmful to the environment?

(There has been continuing research on this product). All human activity affects the environment. We also have to accept that it is difficult to find a material or product that does not affect the environment. Because of all the controversy concerning the environmental impact of PVC, it is one of the most thoroughly researched materials we have.

2/ Are additives such as lead, tin, cadmium and chloroparaffins, which are used in PVC, highly toxic substances?

Lead salts in PVC, eg, in PVC pipes and cables , are physically prevented from leaking out. The PVC uses little lead, and regards the risk associated as minimal. Nevertheless there is work in progress to develop alternatives to lead. Cadmium is not supposed to be present in modern PVC products. Choroparaffins are either not in use or are being phased out by the PVC industry today. Tin compounds which are used as stabilisers in PVC (dialkyl tin) are not considered to be toxic. Organic compounds containing tin which were used for other purposes, eg,, anti-fouling coating for boats (trialkyl tin), are of a different type, and are toxic to many organisms."

3/ Do phthalates, which are used to make PVC flexible, cause cancer, poor sperm quality and harm to the environment ?

One commonly used plasticiser is diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP)"-----

Swedish researchers recently reported that male workers in PVC plants have a risk of developing a form of testicular cancer - seminoma - that is six times that of the general population and it is DEHP that is under suspicion."---WFA will use rigid pipes for the water grid, not flexible pipes, so that DEHP will not be required.

"4/ Is the manufacture of PVC very resource consuming?

Salt and oil or gas are important raw materials for the manufacture of PVC. Ordinary salt makes up 57% of the raw materials for PVC, but less than 10% of all the salt produced worldwide goes into PVC. There are enormous quantities of salt in existence, and it is estimated that our present salt reserves will last for 5,000 years if consumption remains at the current level. About 43% of the raw materials for PVC production are derived from oil or gas. The world's total PVC production accounts for less than 0. 3% of annual world consumption of oil. PVC uses less non-renewable oil and gas resources than other thermoplastics. Generally speaking, less energy is required to manufacture PVC and PVC products than is needed for alternative materials.

5/ Does PVC cause waste build-up, since it doesn't degrade under natural conditions?

The most common criticism against plastics generally is that they do not break down. 64% of all Norwegians claim that this is the main reason that they regard plastic as the most environmentally hostile of all materials. PVC's failure to degrade is in fact strength. PVC neither rusts nor rots and therefore can be used, or recycled, in products that need to have a long life. PVC pipes for example, are more resistant to frost and pressure than cement pipes. This means that the use of PVC reduces the danger of harmful substances leaking into the groundwater, PVC waste can be put back into the same process by which it was made, or it can be used for more products.

6/ Can PVC in toys cause cancer ?

------The import of toys is subject to the EU's directive on toys. This ensures that toys sold do not entail risk for the children who use them.----

7/ Are dioxins one of the world's most dangerous toxins, and are they formed when PVC is burned?

All materials containing chlorine can produce dioxins when they burn. Dioxins therefore are formed both in waste incineration processes and in production of PVC raw materials. Dioxin emissions from Hydro's petrochemical sites are in the range of 0.5 grammes per year. PVC contains over 50% chlorine. Dioxins have been part of the environment for more than 60 million years, and there are more than 200 different types, some of them considered to be highly toxic. ----In the book ' The Consumers' Good Chemical Guide' John Emsley writes" as far as our animal friends are concerned we should continue to research the dioxins, but as far as humans are concerned, the dioxin scare is over". Emsley has been teaching chemistry at London University for more than 20 years, and today is a scientific writer at the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, in London.

8/ Is PVC production a health hazard for the employees?

There is no health hazard associated with PVC production today. In the past, PVC production took place in open processes and this represented a possible threat to the health of the employees. Exposure to VCM (vinyl chloride monomer) could lead to a rare form of cancer of the liver or weakening of the bone tissue. Today, changes in these processes and a reduction in VCM level have eliminated this health hazard. Today, proper operation of PVC plants entails no health risk for the employees.

9/ Does the PVC industry refuse to listen to criticism?

The industry is fully prepared to listen and has been doing so. Norsk Hydro was one of the very first companies to produce a separate annual report on environmental issues. It contains all the important figures relating to Hydro's interaction with the environment. Figures concerning the environment at Hydro's production sites are available to anyone wishing to see them. Other companies have followed Hydro's example. Hydro has also put together a comprehensive publication, 'PVC and the Environment'.

10/ Can PVC be replaced with better materials ?

PVC, like most other materials, can be replaced in a number of areas. The question is whether the environment stands to gain or lose by doing so. Have the alternative materials been as thoroughly studied as PVC? Does their manufacture involve as little energy? Do they have as long a life? Are they as cheap to produce? Professor Thomas Hjerteberg at Chalmers Technical University in Gottenburg, Sweden, says: ' In the long term, other materials are not necessarily more environmentally friendly than PVC. In an environmental perspective, the best alternative is today's PVC is an improved PVC'. (Norsk Hydro Petrochemicals)

The production process

"Chlorine is produced from the electrolysis of salt, that is, when brine, (salt water), is chemically decomposed by passing an electric current through it (two other useful products are also formed: caustic soda and hydrogen).

When oil is refined it yields naphtha, and then after various purification and other processes, ethylene (a molecule made up of carbon and hydrogen). Chlorine and ethylene are both gases, which when chemically combined, form another gas, vinyl chloride monomer or VCM.

Through another chemical process called polymerisation, the VCM molecules link together to form a chain, or a sort of giant molecule composed of thousands of monomers, called a polymer.

This is how Polyvinyl Chloride or PVC is born. The basic fine white powder produced by polymerisation is then mixed with one or more additives. There are two main types: 'stabilisers', which allow the PVC to be processed without degradation during moulding or extrusion, and 'plasticisers' which give it flexibility. Additives can also give PVC great strength, make it coloured or confer whatever qualities are desired in the end product.

Finally, the PVC granules or ready to use powders, are converted into final products via numerous specific techniques" (Solvay S.A.)

The process that will be adopted will either be a batch process or a continuous line system. It will be up to the companies that have decided to back the WFA planned venture. The companies will operate where directed and will fulfil contracts to the water grid authority and sell their surplus production to domestic and international markets. The financing of the salt industry will be totally private.

Benefits from the salt industry

1/ Increase in the tax take

2/ Sustainable jobs for an estimated 4,000 people in rural areas

3/ Training in a new industry for Australians

4/ Rejuvenating land from salinity to fertility

5/ Turning $1.2 billion imports into $1. 2 exports

6/ Australia becomes more self-reliant

7/ Produces all of the pipes and water fittings from rigid PVC for the water grid plus other sales.

8/ Export of value added products from Australia's resources and labour

9/ The establishment of solar ponds to produce clean green power to run the processing units, providing surplus for the National Electricity Grid

Mining

It is of the utmost importance that open cut mining plays a major role in forging Australia's future. We must take the clever path and provide beauty along with mega water storages for the continuous well being of the nation. If we miss this once only opportunity to transform the negative impact of used mine sites into a positive and useful environmental bonus, we will have let down future generations, who will be dumbfounded by our stupidity. Every worked out mineral deposit will leave a scar of some sort on the landscape, with the possibility of leaching problems. If we drop the profit and loss approach, which excludes all other considerations, we can adopt a practical approach that not only provides profits, but leaves a lasting memorial to the mining organisation, in the form of a pristine lake stocked with fish, surrounded by trees in a beautiful park. Reference Fig. 5, 19, 22, 23

Great changes are taking place in the new millenium and this applies in particular to the recognition that many resources are finite on this over populated, small planet. There is a view that advancing technology should be used to help repair the environment and prevent further destruction.

Miners and other resource industries are finding it more difficult to obtain operational permits as a result of this changing awareness. Resources industries now need to demonstrate that they are genuinely concerned about the environment in which they operate and that the long term viability of the area is enhanced as a result of their operations.

Some idea of the problems associated with present mine rehabilitation methods are as follows: "Mr. Sheridan, whose PhD. studies are supervised by Associate Professor Hwat Bing So, said coal mining in Queensland had disturbed more than 50,000 hectares which required more than $1 billion to rehabilitate. 'Every day, earthmoving equipment with buckets the size of a house are used to remove rock and soil from above the coal seam and dump it into steep waste piles up to 60m in height. These waste piles are very unstable, and the local high-intensity tropical storms can result in severe erosion'.

He said the control of soil erosion was a major prerequisite for the replacement of a stable ecosystem on this land and soil erosion could be controlled by lowering the steep piles into rolling hills and then revegetating. 'Most of the rehabilitation costs are associated with the earthworks to lower the steep piles, however the optimal slope is not known and varies from one mine to the next.' A computer program has been designed to assist with estimates of soil erosion.

How much better if all that time and money spent on this research had been used positively, by being directed to the WFA conversion of mine sites into water storage lakes with surrounding revegetation!

The conversion of mine sites into water reservoirs provides unlimited potential for a whole range of aquaculture and agricultural pursuits to be established and create a long term cash flow in which the mining operation can share. The National Water Grid will achieve two things, firstly to divert water to the reservoir from other sources and secondly, to disperse water from reservoirs to outlying areas for agricultural and other uses.

Incorporation of such a plan would demonstrate a willingness to cooperate in the overall development of the area and greatly improve the prospects of obtaining mining permits. The legislation should be designed for fast tracking of permits and once approved, a fait accompli. Such approval is designed to prevent any party from reneging on the agreement. Looking at the proposal from the mine owners' perspective, would be the design and management of open cut mines and underground operations and hydraulic considerations.

Open cut mine operations

The mine owners would enter into an agreement with the government's instrumentality to extract the ore body, or seam deposit, in accordance with a predetermined hydraulic plan that would suit conditions of the proposed mine site area.

Underground operations

Underground mining would use its surplus excavated material plus additional excavation if required, to provide a water storage facility as near to the mine entrance as practical, blending into the landscape.

Hydraulic Design

In setting up the mining operation the establishment of the water requirements would have to fit into the water grid planning so that when the mining operation is completed there would be a section of the water grid ready for connection.

The water authority would pay for expenses incurred by the difference between the normal good mining practices and the extra burden placed on the mine owner by the hydraulic design. This would be sorted out prior to the granting of the license so that all parties would be aware of the expected expenditures, The now allowed sum for the normal rehabilitation of the site would be deducted from the amount payable from the water authority. The initial design for the hydraulic reservoir would be met by the miner and 90% recompensed if the operation proceeds.

Climate cycles

Australia's climatic cycles are characterised by ever repeating sequences of flood, followed by drought - all this is part of Australian folklore. The land can be riven by drought-induced cracks in one season and the next, the flood plains of the inland are meters under water; from dust bowl to post flood, lush coverage of grasses and vegetation, in a matter of months. Oceans of water are lost between the high point of flood and the depth of land destroying drought.

Over large tracts of Australian land this could be changed if the opportunities to use discarded mine excavations were seized.

It is proposed that the money that is at present being allocated to the rehabilitation of abandoned mine sites be diverted into turning 'holes in the ground' into water retention basins plus some amount of supplement to cover the engineering costs in completing a water management complex. These costs would then be recovered at a later stage.

Engineering practicalities

Modern industrial technology has produced materials that make it possible to line large earth excavations with long lasting membranes, impervious to water. Today's engineering has the techniques that make the positioning of such membranes a relatively straightforward piece of practical engineering. It is therefore feasible to turn suitably located exhausted deep open cut mine sites into large volume water reservoirs. The expensive excavation work has already been done and the cost of lining the holes would produce a cost-effective back up supply of water. Reference Fig. 24, 25

Whilst the mines are operating, the mining companies use the overburden to form the earthworks which protect the mine from flooding in the wet seasons by diverting the overland flows away from the mine site. The same earthworks would be modified or rearranged to produce the opposite effect in wet seasons. The surface flows of water would be intercepted and channeled into the membrane lined mine excavation.

The water that is intercepted is water that would otherwise be lost. By collecting and storing it, the water is available as a valuable agricultural resource.

Management and impact of final voids (C.W. Malett, Chief Research Scientist CSIRO Exploration and Mining, M.R. Mark, Principal Environmental Scientist, Environmental and Licensing Professionals)

Abstract

"A study of rehabilitation of final mining voids reviewed current practice and completion options, identified key issues and research requirements and developed a classification of void types. It is also the first research approach completed by the Australian Centre for Minesite Rehabilitation Research (ACMRR) The classification identified eight major final void types taking into account the interaction of climate, geology and social setting. Through reviews of Australian and world practice, three basic completion options for mining voids were recognised: water storage, waste storage and leaving the pit empty. Using these completion options, decision trees were developed to identify the steps and technical data necessary to choose the most suitable option. The most significant issues identified were: management of void water, long term integrity of void slopes, waste characterisation and containment, and criteria for uses of open voids. A critical outcome for industry is to improve the management of long term liability of rehabilitated mining voids."

" In January 1992 ANZECC and NHMRC published its guidelines on the Assessment and Management of Contaminated Sites. Although most final mining voids after mining are essentially benign and would not be considered a contaminated site, there are useful strategic parallels to be recognised. The guidelines state that the fundamental goals of site remediation should be to select a socially acceptable and cost effective management strategy which provides a net benefit to society. ------

1/ The industry seeks/needs guiding principles to facilitate lease/site relinquishment at the end of mine life. The government and individual mining companies do not want the responsibility for management of a final void unresolved for an indefinite undetermined time. For this reason voids at specific mining operations must be addressed progressively throughout the mine life - with escalating responsibility and urgency to establish the final configuration and after-use.

2/ There is general agreement that voids should be addressed as opportunities and assets. Thereby steps followed to resolve long term management are directed positively to a potential use of value to the landowner/occupier and ultimately to the community. Current uses of asset value to the coal/energy industry have been identified in this paper.

3/ There must remain in any prescription for the treatment of final voids, some provision for flexibility. Such flexibility is necessary in order to realise alternate after-use potential. With the benefit of some lateral thinking, amenity after uses can secure some community acceptance and value to the region.

4/ Guidelines must be used for the treatment of final void highwalls, lowwalls and ramps to address the priority issue of risk/safety for the public and for after use operators. State of the art application of mine planning and mining equipment can address this issue to the community acceptance by providing an engineered solution. The guidelines should identify:- geotechnical studies, engineered barriers and design and plan specification.

5/ The allocation of security deposits to rehabilitation performance is an accepted and relatively successful mechanism to meet the community expectation of the mining industry in NSW. The procedures for setting security deposits on final voids will be established with the coal industry in an equitable and open environment. This is necessary, ultimately to guarantee safe void configurations are achieved under all circumstances. The calculation of a security for final voids should recognise and reward a mine management establishment of documentation. This would involve a void management plan identifying hard barriers (engineering design) and soft barriers (management and monitoring).

6/ The transition from mining use to after use requires thoughtful facilitation by government. In NSW this can be delivered through existing legislative frameworks of the Mining Act 1992 and the Environmental Planning and Assessments Act 1979. Key agencies are the Dept. of Mineral Resources and local councils respectively. Depending on the nominated after-use, other agencies should be referenced. A period of maintenance and monitoring should be anticipated in the transition process. For passive/conservation after use up to 5 years may be appropriate before compliance certification and lease cancellation is achieved. For active after-uses (industrial and amenity) an environmental impact assessment and development approval would trigger the transition. Aftercare conditions should be anticipated in such development approvals" ( G.J. Summerhayes, Principal Environmental Officer, Dept. of Mineral Resources, NSW. 3rd International 21 st. Annual Minerals Council of Australia)

WFA sees a mining void ie. a hole in the ground made by human activity with sloping to almost vertical sides and a floor, as potential for an environmentally positive transformation. This description fits most of the old disused mine voids. We can go in and modify the void and line it for water storage as shown in our general arrangement designs. Reference Fig 5. The location of these mine voids does not matter, because they can be filled by directed gravitational surface flows, or if these are inadequate, they can be filled by the water grid tool. The variation in climatic conditions does not present a problem, as the purpose of the grid is to even out the water product of these various areas for the benefit of the whole.

If we adopt the WFA plan, an urgent meeting is required between the mining industry and representatives of COAG, or a newly appointed board, to come to an agreement for the inclusion of the operating mines and future mines to work to a hydraulic plan, in accordance with new legislation covering the transformation of mine site voids to water storage.

· Prospect for ecological viability

When evaluating the overall ecological viability of the WFA project, one must take into consideration the size of the strategic plan to repair the damage, as far as possible, that has taken place on this large scale island continent during European settlement.

It is true to say that much that has been damaged by man, can be repaired by man, with a cooperative spirit from all Australians. This repair transformation can take place within a balanced framework between the ongoing human presence and the restoration and preservation of the habitats of our unique flora and fauna.

The WFA plan cannot be treated as a dream. The time is now - the damage has been assessed and the technology and knowledge is sufficient to carry out the sustainable environmental aspects of the plan for the long-term benefit of this country.

When one appreciates the achievable results of the WFA plan and the long-term benefits derived from its implementation, there is no doubt about the ecological viability of the proposal.

· Prospect for engineering viability

There are no hidden technology problems within the applied engineering techniques. The design is straightforward and any problems that could be encountered have already been solved in previous similar projects.

The engineering contribution in the Olympic Games venue and the Snowy River Scheme shows what can be produced by our engineering capabilities.

Australia especially requires such a long term plan as presented by WFA in order to advance occupation opportunities, from blue collar workers to the tertiary disciplines, to be able to work in their particular fields in their own country. They can all play a role in this positive repair plan and show leadership to the other countries on the planet using our engineering skills and ability.

The plan is here on the table - all we need now is the will to take the first step in its adoption.

3. 1.1. Likely level or degree of stakeholder support and impacts (covering state/community and industry stakeholders).

Those stakeholders that are most directly affected are the farming community. They will recognise the national support that has been directed their way when they enjoy the benefits resulting from the construction of the water grid. Such benefits include secure water delivered through the water grid tool, water tables lowered, salt loads removed, and job opportunities to provide extra income while waiting for the grid cover to include their properties. The support industries associated with the water grid such as the salt industry and green power industry would require private sector ownership. Ideally, these would involve farmers' investment co-operatives, so that the rural community can derive income from profits to shore up the future of their industries, giving them independence from further government financial relief.

There are some detrimental impacts, such as the loss of the use of the land adjacent to the farmers' river and running creek frontages for the establishment of the National environmental clean river flow regime. The farmers affected can either be compensated or retain ownership, with the strip of land being under the management of the National Parks. The finalising of these arrangements will not take place until the water grid is operational on their property. Property owners would be required to sign for the establishment of easements in favour of the water grid management. This consent would require a token fee to the farmer. The easements would confer right of entry to construct and maintain the water grid.