Priorities the problem
Since 2016, Speak Up has been highlighting unintended consequences of unnatural floodplain inundation, including the proliferation of European carp, often referred to as "rabbits of the rive".
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We have written submissions to numerous inquiries and sent letters to ministers about this exact issue, but unfortunately no one wants to take responsibility.
The fact of the matter is that we are exploiting the mid-Murray River ecology for the benefit of artificial environments downstream.
Environmental water alone is not the enemy, rather it is the priorities that are placed on the running of the Murray.
The Murray River has been running above capacity and flooding adjoining forests, all of which leads to carp proliferation.
This is not done to benefit the environment, but instead to meet the demands of boating regattas and luxury housing developments on the Lower Lakes, as well as demand by permanent plantings (predominantly nuts).
It should also be noted many of these plantings have not yet reached maturity and therefore their demands on our water supplies are only going to increase.
These are all artificial, and are all downstream of the Murray Valley.
As a consequence, the Murray River needs to run above capacity and flood adjoining forests to meet their water needs.
At the same time, these huge flows are causing river bank slumping and erosion and destroying native fish habitats, while providing the perfect storm for carp to breed.
Why do we keep putting Band-Aids on the problem?
Let's address the root cause before more damage is done, or would that require the MDBA to actually acknowledge a negative consequence of the basin plan?
Because we all know that won't happen.
Shelley Scoullar, Deniliquin
Gas-guzzlers doomed
The debate on electric cars needs to include some common sense.
The rave by politician Michaela Cash declaring that those using larger internal combustion engines would be forced to relinquish their favourite vehicles, seems quite silly, at this time.
However, Australia does not have a car industry so if countries supplying our vehicles discontinue producing petrol engines then the change to electric cars, or hydrogen fueled commercial vehicles, is inevitable in Australia.
When the motor car was first invented, the electric version, in spite of such a huge battery and lack of charging facilities, proved to be more efficient than the internal combustion engine, but Henry Ford, with his assembly line factory, teamed up with entrepreneurs, who were exploiting the new oil discoveries, thus giving petrol cars the lead in the market.
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Australia is well placed to take advantage of this new age.
Batteries need lithium and salt and we have both.
We lack adequate public transport and we have spread-out suburbs which require private vehicles.
Perhaps the time has come to accept a new motor that will be lighter, easier to maintain and replace and cope better with the slow commute to work and parking at the shopping mall.
I think we all agree that we might need more discussion on where the electricity will come from to power our efficient new vehicles.
Ann Brennan, West Albury
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