http://www.wccc.com.au/wccc/index.php/issues/?disp=comments en-AU http://backend.userland.com/rss 60 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:53:58 +0000 Chris Aitchison [Visitor] c20@http://www.wccc.com.au/wccc/ Residents of Goulburn - a very large inland city - were recently forced to consider the prospect of running out of water. This is easy enough for Canberrans to forget, particularly with the recent rain, and easier still to dismiss as something that could never happen to Canberra. <br /> <br /> However, one has only to consider how quickly the dam-level figures on the ubiquitous roadside signs diminish over a few consecutive hot days to realise that our water supply is equally vulnerable.<br /> <br /> Make no mistake that tens of thousands of new dwellings will have a cognisable impact on Canberra's available water supplies, irrespective of any plans to build new dams, expand existing dams, or otherwise 'water-proof' the Capital.<br /> <br /> The sustainable use of water is only one aspect of sustainability of course, but it is possibly the issue that has the most immediate and dramatic - and easily comprehensible - implications for the future of our beautiful city.<br /> <br /> It is an absolute imperative that sustainability, including water sustainability, take precedence in the Government's plans for the Molonglo housing developments. I was raised in Weston Creek, and my wife and I expect to raise our family in one of Weston Creek's new suburbs. It is our hope that Weston Creek will continue to be a viable place for our children to raise their families, but this should not be taken for granted.<br /> <br />
However, one has only to consider how quickly the dam-level figures on the ubiquitous roadside signs diminish over a few consecutive hot days to realise that our water supply is equally vulnerable.

Make no mistake that tens of thousands of new dwellings will have a cognisable impact on Canberra's available water supplies, irrespective of any plans to build new dams, expand existing dams, or otherwise 'water-proof' the Capital.

The sustainable use of water is only one aspect of sustainability of course, but it is possibly the issue that has the most immediate and dramatic - and easily comprehensible - implications for the future of our beautiful city.

It is an absolute imperative that sustainability, including water sustainability, take precedence in the Government's plans for the Molonglo housing developments. I was raised in Weston Creek, and my wife and I expect to raise our family in one of Weston Creek's new suburbs. It is our hope that Weston Creek will continue to be a viable place for our children to raise their families, but this should not be taken for granted.

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