The Australian Drought Policy

Having a chance to help on a submission for the New Drought Policy has made me realise what a sorry state our beautiful continent is in. The whole South East corner of the country basically from Northern Tassie and up to Central Queensland has been declared areas of Exceptional Circumstances. The impact of that on people is the ability to hang in there just a bit longer, hoping that the drought will break.

We need an agricultural sector in Australia. This sector needs to be vibrant and support the population for food and fuel. I ask you, what are we doing to the land with our current practice of building housing estates in the outer suburbs of our major cities; on the market garden areas and using our marginal farming land to supply cereal and sugar to the world.

I think our drought policy needs to link with urban planning, land use policies and our trade policies. Without these different areas talking to each other the policy landscape is dotted with craters that work against sustainable farming practices.

You can see the current EC areas if you click on the link below
http://www.daff.gov.au/agriculture-food/drought/ec

Environmental Vandals in Karajini

It is hard to believe that anyone could think it was acceptable to wash their hair with shampoo and conditioner in the pristing waterfall at Dales Gorge in Karajini national park in the remote Pilbara region of North West Australia.

The Karajini national park is a stunning group of gorges that cut their way through the Hammersley ranges. An oasis in the searing desert. The pristine water comes from deep underground and one such act of environmental vandalism damages the fish, plant life and aquatic creatures for a very long time.

Shampoo and conditioner contain chemicals including silicon; these remain in the environment as coating on the top of the pools, rocks and plants. Unfortunately there is no signage that instructs people on what is appropriate behaviour and when we were visiting on the 25th July there were no rangers at either entrace to the park. This remote beautiful location has been promoted to the world and is being damaged because people now want to come and visit.

Hammersley Gorge, Oxer lookout, The Hammersley range

Do your bit, when you vist leave only footprints don't leave soap scum and silicon and other toxic chemicals.