NSW Parliament Approves 18 Month Water Planning Study, Leaves Out Climate Entirely

[hatrack]

The upper house of the NSW Parliament has approved an 18 month-long inquiry into the sustainability of the state's water resources while leaving out climate change entirely from its terms of reference. The inquiry into the augmentation of water supply for rural and regional NSW will "examine the suitability of existing water storages, flood risks and technologies available to mitigate flood damage".

Greens and Labor sought to add the potential of climate change to affect water availability including altering the intensity of rain events and evaporation rates to the inquiry's terms of reference. They also sought to have the panel examine the impact of mining and gas extraction and water quality and quantity.

The Coalition joined with the Shooters and Fishers Party to exclude both, relegating them to the "any other related matter" category of the inquiry. "This government and the shooters party are being reckless and stupid," Greens water spokesman Jeremy Buckingham said. "[Climate change] should be front and centre to any investigation into the Murray Darling Basin."

NSW's driest February in 38 years and a record heatwave in early March in the state's south have exacerbated water issues that may feature in the inquiry.

EDIT

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/reckless-and-stupid-climate-change-omitted-from-nsw-governments-18-monthlong-water-inquiry-20160322-gnp1t0.html

[daleanime]

1. kick, kick, kick.....