Big Dry

Question 1

Causes of the Big Dry

Answer 1

El Niño
Cannot maintain its current population growth in relation to water
Murray-Darling river basin home to 2 million people and is under great stress. Responsible for 40% of Australia’s agricultural produce

Question 2

Social Consequences of Big Dry

Answer 2

People in rural areas left because of lack of water putting stress on population of cities
Rural suicide rates soared

Question 3

Economic consequences of Big Dry

Answer 3

Food prices rose due to dependence on imports
Water bills rose 20% in 2008
Tourism decreased
10,000 people directly employed in the cotton growing industry
Dairy farms halved in number

Question 4

Environmental consequences of Big Dry

Answer 4

Loss of vegetation, wildlife, biodiversity and increased soil erosion
Grassland turned scrubland
Energy from HEP reduced - more pollution through fossil fuel reliance
Water quality decreased as algal outbreaks occurred in depleted rivers, dams and lakes

Question 5

Short term responses of Big Dry

Answer 5

Car wash ban and 4 minute shower limit
Farmers claimed $400-600 per fortnight from government
Government paying out $1.7m a day in drought relief to farmers

Question 6

Long term response to Big Dry

Answer 6

Multimillion dollar desalination plant in Sydney
States introducing ‘drought proofing’
More efficient irrigation systems
Recycling waste water called grey water