Farm group seeks more rural water scheme funds
Gerry Ritchie
Greenpeace
12 May 2014
Rural Water Alliance Australia has submitted a submission to the State Water Board (SWB) seeking further funding for water distribution in drought-stricken regions.
It estimates that the additional costs to the NSW Government could amount to $25 million annually, with the water revenue needed to meet the additional water demands of the drought regions.
According to the submission, the most vulnerable areas in NSW will require access to water that is not available from municipal sources.
If the costs of this change in water supply are included, the submission concludes that the current funding model means that regional water needs are not met.
Water supply
On April 8 last year, the Coalition's environment minister, Greg Hunt, signed into law a bill to allocate $1 billion over five years to help manage demand in dry regions.
That bill includes provisions to allocate up to $2 billion annually to rural water supply for communities and water users.
"The Coalition will continue to support regional water projects, while also looking into ways of supporting water supply and community water systems with further water resource management, especially in the drought-stricken regions where this is already a challenge," Hunt said.
Water resource management
The Water Authority, which manages the NSW Rural Rivers Authority, said the proposed changes to the Rural Water Fund (RWF) and Regional Water Management Funds (RHMB) would:
Increase the RWEF funding from $3.50 per 100 litres to $5 per 100 litres in order to ensure sustainable local water supply and protect resources
Increase the RWEF from $7.25 per 100 litres to $14 per 100 litres to improve services and services users receive such as water tankers
Reduce the RHMB from $9.50 per 100 litres to $8.50 per 100 litres to protect water resource protection
This proposed change of the RHMB and RWEF could have a detrimental impact on the communities and water systems of the state as current funding structures require water services to be provided to community members who can afford it.
The RSPCA NSW said it was concerned about the proposed change. "When it comes to our freshwater resources it's about who will get it," said Dr Paul Mather, RSPCA NSW chairman. "The RSPCA has long supported the funding of rural water infrastructure projects to ensure reliable water resources for everyone, but this proposal, together with the increased cost of water, risks reducing water conservation for more people in these regions."
Mather highlighted the RSPCA's long record of working with residents of rural areas to access reliable water services and said: "The RSPCA remain
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Mt lyell mine workers on half pay indefinitely during prolonged strike
Workers at the site of the Great Zimbabwe Rail Project (GHRCP) in Garlaca. Photo: Tshekali Pravastya /Mint.
Zimbabwe on Wednesday announced it will end the half-pay, indefinite work contract for 10,000 rail employees and workers at the site of the newly-constituted GHRCP, citing "security threats".
The cancellation comes days after the government announced the cancellation of the rest-payment of $13,500. The agreement signed last month between the Central Bank and the Union of South Africa (Unionsozrianza ZimBA) had given workers two days' pay per month, with an extra week to be paid once their work has finished.
However, with no guarantee of working conditions or wages, the 10,000 workers were forced to continue striking, leading the government to temporarily suspend the rest-payment of $13,500.
"The Government will continue to pursue its business as usual to achieve our goals with no further delay, whilst respecting the rights of workers to continue their labor on the GHRCP," the Prime Minister said on Tuesday night.
Workers and Government Workers, however, will continue to hold protests at different locations, including in Garlaca, Mt. Elgon, and other locations in the state to demand that the government meet its commitments, and to demand payment of their wages.
The government said that after the cancellation of the rest-payment, it expected the workers to resume their work on February 21, 2017, but it will also extend its deadline for workers to lodge a claim with the Central Bank, which will ensure the workers continue their work in the event that the company goes out of business.
The union leaders had urged the government to implement the agreements and negotiate with the union to obtain a guaranteed wage agreement for the workers.
At the time of the agreement signed between the Unionsozrianza ZimBA and the company, the Central Bank had said that it would give the workers half pay, with a further six weeks' paid and seven days' holiday pay each month. The company promised to take action against those who fail to pay their employees in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
If no deal is reached in the next 48 hours, as the union wants, the workers will continue to strike for 45 days, ending on February 21.
The Unionsozrianza ZimBA has rejected the proposed wage increases and workers' pay raises, saying that "the union has never agreed to a wage increase."
The Unionsozrianza ZimBA has accused President Robert Mugabe's government of attempting to take jobs from miners on "unpai
