ETTTP- Big Dry management strategies

Question 1

Who led Aussie Helpers?

Answer 1

Brian Egan (died in 2020).

Question 2

What did Aussie Helpers do?

Answer 2

Deliver hampers (30-40 per day), gift cards, provide counselling and support.

Question 3

How many farming families did Aussie Helpers support in 2019-20?

Answer 3

3,044 farming families supported in 2019-20.

Question 4

What is the long-term goal of Aussie Helpers?

Answer 4

They want to operate long term but it will require continued volunteering hours and spearheading from Brian and his team.

Question 5

Does Aussie Helpers address root causes?

Answer 5

It changes neither the supply or demand issue. It simply makes people feel better.

Question 6

Is Aussie Helpers socially sustainable?

Answer 6

It saved Brian in a desperate time in his life. Helped people out in the bush - those that really needed helping who traditionally were too proud to reach out for help. It has kept farming families’ spirits lifted.

Question 7

Is Aussie Helpers economically sustainable?

Answer 7

Depends completely on donations - cost effective though. Keeps farmers from going bust. Keeping farms open helps Australia with national food security.

Question 8

Is Aussie Helpers environmentally sustainable?

Answer 8

There is an environmental footprint to Brian and his team driving jeeps (petrol-heavy) around the bush.

Question 9

What is the name and location of the desalination plant?

Answer 9

Sydney Desalination Plant, NSW.

Question 10

What is the scale of the desalination plant?

Answer 10

Switched off 2012-2019. Switched on in Jan 2019 - supplied 15% of water to Sydney.

Question 11

What is the long-term outlook for the desalination plant?

Answer 11

Big utilities infrastructure projects like this last many decades. 2019 announced with double size of plant to produce 500m litres per day.

Question 12

Does the desalination plant address root causes?

Answer 12

It provides more supply of drinking water but only to Sydney (not farmers) and doesn’t reduce demand.

Question 13

Is the desalination plant socially sustainable?

Answer 13

Focuses on urban areas; exacerbating rural-urban inequalities. This is a really good way to ensure water supply is constant.

Question 14

Is the desalination plant economically sustainable?

Answer 14

This is an expensive ($2bn setup + $500,000 per day to run) investment. Aiming to double to 30% of Sydney’s supply.

Question 15

Is the desalination plant environmentally sustainable?

Answer 15

The waste product of this is brine (very salty substance) which is toxic. Large carbon footprint to building such a big structure (concrete).