Darren E’s Page
To an optimist, the glass is half full.
To a pessimist, the glass is half empty.
To a pragmatist, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
To an idiot, another couple of glasses are required.
Why I’m here
When my family first moved to the Mary Valley a few years ago, it was because we were struck by the serene beauty of the area. Very quickly we also became aware of the strong community spirit, and are now proud to be a part of it.
Although safely tucked away in the hills behind Dagun, I am committed to the fight against this dam. This began just as a general wish to help and support the locals directly threatened by the dam. But it seems like almost every day I learn a little more about the technical flaws, or environmental costs, or further disregard for ethical treatment of residents, or another viable and cheaper alternative. The whole concept becomes even more ridiculous with each revelation.
Peer review
In view of mounting expert technical opinion contradicting the State Government’s statements on the Traveston Dam, Deputy Premier Anna Bligh should be able to restore some credibility by releasing the internal reports which, she says, support her position. As an engineer with almost 30 years’ experience in the field of flood-plain management, I would find the reports interesting reading.
An analysis of QWIPL testimony at the Senate Inquiry
Updated on Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 11:38AM by
stevem
Some comments on QWIPL testimony from Day 2 of the Senate Inquiry
Breaking story from Limited News Pty Ltd...
In a press statement today, Queensland Water Infrastructure proudly released the latest in their series of “artists impressions” of their ongoing engineering of the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam. The latest image depicts part of the re-location of the Mary Valley Highway near Kandanga. “We’re very proud of this artist’s impression” said QWIPL CEO Graeme “half-a” Newton. “A lot of people think that all of our skills base resides in river hydrology and dam engineering. But I think this drawing will prove to our critics that we are equally skilled in road design”.
Rooftop rain harvesting project looks to inspire developers
The Federal Government has caused a ripple of interest after funding a project showcasing to large building owners the value in harvesting rainwater from building roofs. Davey Water Products has completed a rainwater capture system aiming to end its use of mains water after receiving a Community Water Care Grant.
Entertainment News-Breaking story from Limited News Pty Ltd...
Vintage Aussie hard rock group ACDC today launched a $1.7 billion dollar law suit against Team Beattie and the Queensland Government, for multiple breaches of copyright. Lawyers for the band said that the evidence was clear - all of the government’s policies over the last several years were obvious rip-offs of the band’s No. 1 hits, and a blatant breach of the band’s intellectual property rights.
Open letter to Peter Arnison
Updated on Sunday, February 18, 2007 at 09:48AM by
stevem
Updated on Thursday, March 22, 2007 at 09:16AM by
stevem
Updated on Thursday, April 5, 2007 at 11:08AM by
stevem
Whether we are “affected” or “unaffected” by the proposed dam at Traveston Crossing by your “inundated” definition, we DO NOT accept the dam as “inevitable” (as you have stated on ABC radio 08/12/06). Many of us have recently attended the Office of Urban Management planning sessions and are extremely surprised that you have been left with the impression that we are “accepting” this ill-conceived, scientifically unsupported, yet to be approved swampland puddle. We see no “potential” in being left adjacent to the proposed wasteland.
Hydroelectric power's dirty secret revealed
Contrary to popular belief, hydroelectric power can seriously damage the climate. Proposed changes to the way countries’ climate budgets are calculated aim to take greenhouse gas emissions from hydropower reservoirs into account, but some experts worry that they will not go far enough. The green image of hydro power as a benign alternative to fossil fuels is false, says Éric Duchemin, a consultant for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). “Everyone thinks hydro is very clean, but this is not the case,” he says.
Queensland pushes ahead with dam plans
THE Queensland Government says it is making significant progress in its plans to construct new dams to meet the water needs of the state’s fast-growing southeast. Acting Premier Anna Bligh yesterday inspected the site for the new Cedar Grove Weir, saying that detailed planning was well underway for the proposed dam at Traveston Crossing in the Mary River Valley and the Wyaralong Dam near Boonah. Bligh said the Government was working cooperatively with landowners in the Traveston area to make the purchase of land needed for the new dam and currently had reached agreement with 184 property owners.
Burdekin–Moranbah pipeline
CONSTRUCTION crews for water infrastructure company SunWater have laid the final length of pipe in the 218km Burdekin–Moranbah pipeline, which will feed water to Queensland’s booming coal mining industry. McConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust) were SunWater’s construction contractor for the pipeline. Minister for Natural Resources and Water Craig Wallace said workers had battled extreme heat, rugged terrain, isolation and drought to construct one of the largest water pipelines in Queensland’s history.
State Development and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2006
On the 2nd of November Anna Bligh introduced a new bill into parliament, the State Development and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2006. It passed the “second reading” stage, and is due to be voted into legislation when parliament sits again next Tuesday (28th).
Sun Tzu wrote:
His teachings are still used today by generals, CEOs and politicians around the globe. All warfare is based on deception.
Dry Cooling Technology for Power Stations
Dry-cooling is the process where the condenser water is cooled by air (like a car radiator) instead of in a cooling tower, where evaporative water losses are high. Dry-cooling cuts water consumption, compared to wet-cooling, by around 95%. This still doesn’t sound as clever as smart desal. It eliminates the evaporative cooling, but doesn’t take advantage of the waste heat. On the other hand why aren’t we already doing it at Tarong, Tarong North, Swanbank, Callide, Collinsville and Stanwell. Hey Presto - No need for Travesto(n).
Worst drought in 100 years?
Darren E
in Environmental, Rainfall , Technical Comments
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2 Comments
Updated on Monday, October 9, 2006 at 12:22AM by
Darren E
In terms of a 3 year moving-average of three key sites in the SEQ catchment, the current drought is no worse than 1993-94, 1977-80, 1918-19, or 1901-02. It’s only marginally worse than 1986-87
Can The Queensland Lungfish Use Fish Ladders?
Darren E
in Environmental, Technical Comments
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Post a Comment
Updated on Saturday, December 16, 2006 at 12:09PM by
stevem
Updated on Thursday, December 21, 2006 at 07:03AM by
stevem
Updated on Monday, January 15, 2007 at 12:12AM by
stevem
Updated on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at 01:17PM by
stevem
Updated on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at 08:13AM by
stevem
Updated on Friday, January 4, 2008 at 09:57AM by
stevem
This article is the result of an attempt to research currently available data on the performance of fishways and fish ladders on the Burnett River with respect to the Queensland Lungfish, and the implications for the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam on the Mary River. “Attempt”, because various departments of the Queensland Government have gone to remarkable lengths to restrict public access to any such information. It is thus a story as much about the suppression of data as it is a story about the transport of fish accross man-made barriers.
Letter - National Water Initiative
The following letter, purtaining to the Intergovernmental Agreement on a National Water Initiative, was sent by a Mary Valley local to a number of senior Queensland and Federal politicians in July 2006. It has now been submitted to the Traveston Swamp News as an open letter.
Mary Basin Water Resource Plan - What Does It Mean For The River?
To put into perspective how weak the legislation attached to the Final Mary Basin Water Resource Plan is – it is open enough to allow no river flow downstream of the Traveston Dam for however long is required, if the need arises.
April 2006 edition of Civil Engineers Australia magazine.
Darren E
in Technical Comments
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Updated on Saturday, September 29, 2007 at 10:49AM by
stevem
There was a really good article in the April 2006 edition of Civil Engineers Australia magazine. The highlights of the article are: * Western Australia’s Water Corporation are building a 45 GL/year (65% the yield of Traveston Dam) desalination plant to convert seawater into pure drinking water. * The construction cost is $387 million (22% of Beattie’s optimistic $1.7 billion for the dam). * The production cost for the water will be $0.95 per kL “at the fence” (less than half of the cost per kL of water from the Dam).
Weasel Awards
Scott Adams, author of Dilbert, hosts annual awards for “weasel” behaviour, and one category is “weaseliest politician”. Being an American site, I assume the winners will be Bush, Cheney. However, maybe we can get an honorable mention for our honourable premier, if a few dozen people from the Swamp submit their votes.
