[LINK] Infrastructure issues

[stephen at melbpc.org.au]

At 01:33 PM 26/04/2007, Michael writes:

> Let's face it. It's time to stop subsidizing farmers, and start building
> an infrastructure where we can provide all of those things at a lower
> cost base than our competitors. 

Here's a thought ..

Although one can argue that "equitable-digital-access" for all Australians
is important, and it is, it is also possible other infrastructure issues
may soon start to take on much more importance ... for example ... water:

Drought Feeds Evacuation Fears
By Tuck Thompson April 26, 2007 01:00am
<http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21621161-421,00.html>

Two towns on Queensland's Darling Downs face evacuation because they
have almost run out of water, and cannot afford to indefinitely cart 
supplies.

State bureaucrats have discussed the possibility of moving residents
from Leyburn, population 200, and Killarney, home to 1500 people. One of
Leyburn's 2 bores has run dry and there are fears the other could follow. 

It is costing $8000 a week to cart water to Killarney, which is at the
source of the Murray Darling river system. 

Water Services Association executive director Ross Young said the
Government had the power to move people. 

"I'm not sure it has ever been used in Australia because of an inability
to supply water in a cost-effective manner, but water is becoming 
increasingly scarce," he said. 

"The reality is with no water, you can't live anywhere for long.  If this
goes on for years, there is a real question of how you provide water
supplies to these communities." ...
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Regards all ...
Stephen Loosley
Victoria, Australia