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A LONG TERM HAZARD – THE ‘BIG DRY’ DROUGHT IN AUSTRALIA
A drought is a prolonged, abnormally dry period when there is not enough water for users' normal needs
...

Because people use water in so many different ways, there is no universal definition of drought
...
For most of the country, our rainfall is very low and irregular



Another cause of drought in Australia is from the El Niño weather pattern

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When there are El Nino weather conditions, Australia becomes drier than normal and the chance of rain
decreases

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El Nino causes a rise in sea temperature, weak easterly winds and the movement of rain clouds away
from Australia
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Crucially, there was no significant wet
period between the two events to alleviate the rainfall deficiencies
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Irrigated industries that rely on water storages were particularly affected as major reservoirs in the Murray–
Darling Basin, Australia’s most important irrigation region, fell to 17 per cent of capacity in 2003, and remained
below pre-drought levels until late 2010 Elements of a National Drought Policy: The Australian context, ABARES,
2011
2012+ Queensland Drought
Australia's Queensland is suffering its most widespread drought on record, with almost 80% of the state now
included in the list of affected areas
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It was the hottest spring on record and worst conditions
in recorded history
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Effects:


Farmers suffer, particularly those in marginal areas

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With no rain for over a year, the land becomes barren = soil erosion

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Crops fail, feed prices rise

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Prices of energy soared
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)

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Livestock have to be sold off but at rock bottom prices as over-supply

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Some farmers have had no income for 3 years (Dec 2014)

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Other local businesses in area also suffer as farmers’ incomes plummet

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Six-fold increase in number of suicides among farmers (1 every 4 weeks)

Australian bushfires can be particularly severe as eucalyptus trees contain large amounts of oil which can burn
very fast and very hot
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As Australians learn to understand more about
bushfires, bushfire prevention strategies are being adopted
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Includes rules over use of hoses,
sprinklers, swimming pools, grey water etc

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Melbourne is building a desalination plant which should provide water for 1/3 of the city
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It will build on work under
two other organisations; the Living Murray Initiative and Australian Government water fund
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Numerous water smart projects involving smart technologies are being discussed including the Lake
Brewster Water Efficient Project
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Modernising irrigation methods – adapting more accurate water meters to improve measurement and
reduce over- watering and piping and lining channels to make watering methods efficient
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g
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Reformation will take place to ensure accurate and precise equipment is available to monitor and
forecast water levels
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Key ecosystems, indigenous people and communities will be identified and it will be examined whether
the MDB can meet and sustain the needs of these communities
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