States called on to act on water recycling

This is the first of a series of post I intend to do regarding the effects of global warming on our little corner of the world. I will look at the impact on the Ozone layer and the hole to our south, the potential of rising sea levels, (which will effect many other nations far more, as I sit on top of a mountain range...) politics, and temperature and rainfall patterns. This was in todays news, and I thought was a good trigger to start. I have about 6 done, but am still working on the first couple.

Watch this space...

Last Update: Tuesday, January 2, 2007. 2:29pm (AEDT)

Weather: 2006 was the 3rd driest year for Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane (file photo). (ABC TV )

The Federal Government has used the latest climate figures to reiterate calls for state governments to act on water recycling.

Preliminary figures from the Bureau of Meteorology's national climate report show 2006 was Australia's 9th warmest year on record.

The parliamentary secretary for the environment, Greg Hunt, says the figures also show there was above average rainfall overall, but not in the biggest cities.

"It's been the third driest year in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane - the south-east catchments," he said.

"So that's quite significant. It's consistent with the bureau's long-term trend that there will be more rain in the north, but less rain in the south and south-east."

Mr Hunt says that has implications for state governments.

"There's no longer any acceptance of dumping recyclable water off our coast," he said.

"National recycling schemes, major recycling schemes in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria are a priority for industry and agriculture, there's just no question about that."

The full report is due for release tomorrow.