If you want a salutary example of the taxpayers’ money that can be wasted and the harm that can be done when governments yield to the temptation to prop up declining – and, in this case, environmentally damaging – industries, look no further than Melbourne’s water supply.The industry in question is the tiny native-forest logging industry in Victoria’s Central Highlands. The value it adds to national production of goods and services is a mere $12 million a year .
Melbourne’s population of 5 million is growing so rapidly it won’t be long before it overtakes Sydney as the nation’s largest city. Trouble is, the water that runs off native forests is significantly reduced by bushfires – and logging. Logging done many years ago can still reduce a forest’s water run-off yield today. The Fenner people calculate that past logging of the Thomson catchment has reduced its present water yield by 26 per cent, or more than 15,000 megalitres a year. They calculate that, should logging continue to 2050, this would increase to about 35,000 megalitres a year.
1RossGittins I loved this article, exactly what I've been reading from the ACF library and what I've been told is happening from my Victorian Field Naturalist Botany group. Loved this article!!!
1RossGittins DanielAndrewsMP cityofmelbourne AlanTudgeMP Why not simply reduce immigration if the water isn't there for an additional population? The GDP per capita growth is already down anyway
1RossGittins That is a fascinating and eye-opening article. I do like to see pieces that focus on explaining rather than inflaming.
1RossGittins Vote LiberalAus the_nationals COALition