Jasin wrote on Feb 4
th, 2019 at 8:57pm:
They might call a National Emergency with this one.
The Floods of QLD.
Here is a timely and perfect example of the need for a national Canal network right across the continent.
Right now, there could be a QLD network of Canal systems that would be 'draining' all that floodwater away. The water up there would be 'moving' and not sitting like a dirty stagnant duckpond. All that water would, over the course of a few weeks - be transported (by gates, etc) across into lower NT, into NSW and as far as SA. There it will be put to good use. It could even feed a massive 'Ever-glades' like Wetlands in the middle of Australia.
A network of Canals, big and small (like they have in the Riverina) would enhance the landscape, provide much needed water access and basically add a lot of money to potentially opening up the entire interior to productivity and population.
But for now - the water remains in QLD.
Are you totally devoid of any knowledge about the river systems in this country?
There are vast canals(river systems) that drain water from below the Gulf of Carpentaria to Sth Australia ...
it's called the "Channel Country" ....
Cooper Creek, the Barcoo, the Torrens and Thompson, Diamantina, the Georgina, Eyre, Todd & Finke ... all flow through to the Great Salt Lakes ..
of Eyre, Froome, Torrens & others.
When they flood, which isn't often, they're usually dry, they drain most of far Nth Western QLD and Sth West Nthn Territory into these Sth Australian lakes ......
which creates a massive wetland where our Pelicans, amongst other waterbirds, breed.
The Murray Darling System drains a large area mid/central QLD through 3/4 of NSW and a 3rd of Victoria into Sth Australia.
What you are suggesting will see that once or twice a decade flow stopped & stored & used for intensive agriculture in marginal country ..... which has the potential to do irreparable damage to the river system, surrounding environments and wild life.
Turning it into another Murray Darling debacle.
We would be better off, better utilising the waters & the prime agricultural land we already have than tampering with another massive inland river system because we have allowed it to be dug up by coal miners and Gas frackers.