28 October, 2019
Water wastage unveiled: Geoimage's satellite report exposes the Murray Darling Basin scandal
Geoimage's Sales Manager, Simon Greig, was featured in a recent 60 Minutes story on the water mismanagement scandal, shedding light on the critical issue of water wastage in the Murray Darling Basin. By utilising high-resolution satellite imagery and advanced algorithms, Geoimage corroborated the findings of river analyst Maryanne Slattery, who exposed the massive loss of water during the 141-day period between August 2018 and January 2019.
The revelation showed that nearly two Sydney Harbours' worth of water was wasted, adversely affecting not only the environment but also the livelihoods of struggling Upper Murray wheat and dairy farmers. These farmers were denied their water entitlement while witnessing water being channeled to almond and fruit plantations owned by foreign corporations.
The devastating impact of this mismanagement was felt in the Barmah Millewa red-gum forest, a Ramsar Convention-protected area. The untimely flooding caused significant ecological damage, resulting in the death of trees, wildlife, and vegetation. The forest, which requires regulated flooding, suffered from relentless inundation, leading to severe degradation.
Geoimage's satellite imagery report prompted discussions about the role of the water market and the need for regulatory changes to prevent such wastage in the future. Water Minister David Littleproud expressed concerns about treating water as a mere commodity, emphasizing its vital role as a source of life.
