Though our drought-ravaged farmers in the bush have been brutalised by a chronic lack of rainfall, it looks like city-dwellers also haven’t escaped the dry patch.
Sydney has been caught up in its worst drought since 1965, with Government projecting just 83 billion litres of water will fall into the city’s catchment dams this year.
“And it’s completely unknown what the climate is going to deliver to us in the next weeks and months.” However it’s not just uncooperative weather causing the problem.
A lack of rain has compounded with Sydney’s ballooning population and the associated surge in demand for water, exacerbating the shortage.
“We’ve got more population, our capital cities are all increasing, yet Mother Nature may be giving less precipitation.” “With increasing population and limited supply, are we investing enough?
It’s a good question to ask.” Wright says part of the problem is Australia’s “out of sight, out of mind” mentality.
When drought is unfolding in our immediate vicinity, drought-proofing infrastructure and water harvesting policies become a priority.
But once the drought breaks, the issue falls off the agenda, leading to reactionary water policy, rather than the preventative vision we need.
“When it’s urgent and front of mind, we think about it and government tends to plan and developments schemes.
Then the dam fills and it goes quiet.” “I think we do get a bit lazy and complacent.” Click PLAY below to listen to the full interview