Drought
#31
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 9,316
Re: Drought
Originally Posted by jad n rich
Have a look at super fund returns early 2000's many made negative returns, after fees and inflation they made even more negative returns. Aus has had runaway share market last 2 years most funds hype reflects those years, not the "dont panic" letters that accompanied the super returns statements in the early 2000's.
Any financial adviser worth their salt would not recommend this type of investment for anything less than 5 years.
#32
Re: Drought
Originally Posted by MartinLuther
Sounds like the "don't panic" letters were good advice.
Any financial adviser worth their salt would not recommend this type of investment for anything less than 5 years.
Any financial adviser worth their salt would not recommend this type of investment for anything less than 5 years.
And government employees will have protected super - as I did when I worked for Australia Post.
#33
Re: Drought
Originally Posted by phoenixinoz
LOL....it's funny how popular you become when you get a pool
Oh dear...we've got air con aswel...maybe we need to be more green
Oh dear...we've got air con aswel...maybe we need to be more green
#34
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Oz -> UK -> San Diego
Posts: 9,912
Re: Drought
Originally Posted by thebears
I think the trick with Air Con is to use is sparingly - ie so you can sleep or take the edge off.
Or have suitably designed houses that are designed to be cool, have breezes etc. When I did my Town Planning degree, we went to a place in north Melbourne (cant remember which suburb - maybe Fitzroy) that had an eco home that was designed to be naturally cool in summer and warm in winter - it was really incredible actually.
My parents have essentially had drought conditions since I've been in the UK - 9 years...... rainfall way, way below the usual. They live on the edge of what was my grandparents' farm......no-one is really farming properly where they are now, just a few hobby farmers. It's very sad.
I think that all homes should have rainwater collecting systems for flushing the loo and washing machines. www.adethebuilder.co.uk is a self build diary where I first came across this.
#35
Re: Drought
Originally Posted by jad n rich
All of these things will affect the economy, and our pockets. We are watching the currency daily, we like many converted with great glee into aussie dollars, if the arse falls out of the economy and dollar we would be stuffed.
Growth definitely seems to be slowing here, and the drough will probably only compound that. I know I may lose a couple of £k, but that may be better in the long run. On the other hand, invested monies here do so well with nice high interest rates...
Decisions decisions...
S
#36
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2003
Location: Down the road, that's where I'll always be
Posts: 467
Re: Drought
Totally agree with the comment about 'billion dollar band aids'. When it was announced that the farmers were getting more subsidies none of the politicians seemed at all embarrassed that they'd failed to act on scientific advice and have failed to provide a long term solution.
My point is not about whether the farmers get subsidies or not, but about the lack of long term planning. How many more years will millions of dollars be handed out without investment to address the underlying problem?
If neccessity is the mother of all invention Australia should be leading the world in water provision measures (and in the use of solar power too for that matter)
I'm not even talking about the desalination plants (like I believe they have in Israel), just basic measures such as enforcing that new build homes are fitted with water recyling units and maybe even water tanks too.
Doesn't take a genius. Some of measures necessary will cost a fortune to research and develop, but Mr Costello is sitting smugly on billions of dollars of budget surplus. What better way to spend it than on securing basic needs for the future.
I'll get of me soap box now... it just really winds me up (yer probably guessed though right? )
My point is not about whether the farmers get subsidies or not, but about the lack of long term planning. How many more years will millions of dollars be handed out without investment to address the underlying problem?
If neccessity is the mother of all invention Australia should be leading the world in water provision measures (and in the use of solar power too for that matter)
I'm not even talking about the desalination plants (like I believe they have in Israel), just basic measures such as enforcing that new build homes are fitted with water recyling units and maybe even water tanks too.
Doesn't take a genius. Some of measures necessary will cost a fortune to research and develop, but Mr Costello is sitting smugly on billions of dollars of budget surplus. What better way to spend it than on securing basic needs for the future.
I'll get of me soap box now... it just really winds me up (yer probably guessed though right? )
#37
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 9,316
Re: Drought
Originally Posted by young_lad
Totally agree with the comment about 'billion dollar band aids'. When it was announced that the farmers were getting more subsidies none of the politicians seemed at all embarrassed that they'd failed to act on scientific advice and have failed to provide a long term solution.
My point is not about whether the farmers get subsidies or not, but about the lack of long term planning. How many more years will millions of dollars be handed out without investment to address the underlying problem?
If neccessity is the mother of all invention Australia should be leading the world in water provision measures (and in the use of solar power too for that matter)
I'm not even talking about the desalination plants (like I believe they have in Israel), just basic measures such as enforcing that new build homes are fitted with water recyling units and maybe even water tanks too.
Doesn't take a genius. Some of measures necessary will cost a fortune to research and develop, but Mr Costello is sitting smugly on billions of dollars of budget surplus. What better way to spend it than on securing basic needs for the future.
I'll get of me soap box now... it just really winds me up (yer probably guessed though right? )
My point is not about whether the farmers get subsidies or not, but about the lack of long term planning. How many more years will millions of dollars be handed out without investment to address the underlying problem?
If neccessity is the mother of all invention Australia should be leading the world in water provision measures (and in the use of solar power too for that matter)
I'm not even talking about the desalination plants (like I believe they have in Israel), just basic measures such as enforcing that new build homes are fitted with water recyling units and maybe even water tanks too.
Doesn't take a genius. Some of measures necessary will cost a fortune to research and develop, but Mr Costello is sitting smugly on billions of dollars of budget surplus. What better way to spend it than on securing basic needs for the future.
I'll get of me soap box now... it just really winds me up (yer probably guessed though right? )
#38
Re: Drought
Every now and then we have a bored moment and go for a wander around the show home estates. It still amazes me that none of the houses ever have a water tank attached to them. It's just plain wrong We are getting a tank put in, so it definitely won't rain for ages after we've got it, but having been on level 3 for a while and now going to level 4 on Wednesday - all builders should have to put in tanks.
#39
Re: Drought
Originally Posted by moneypen20
Every now and then we have a bored moment and go for a wander around the show home estates. It still amazes me that none of the houses ever have a water tank attached to them. It's just plain wrong We are getting a tank put in, so it definitely won't rain for ages after we've got it, but having been on level 3 for a while and now going to level 4 on Wednesday - all builders should have to put in tanks.
I can't get my head around this thinking personally.
S
#40
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,233
Re: Drought
Originally Posted by moneypen20
Every now and then we have a bored moment and go for a wander around the show home estates. It still amazes me that none of the houses ever have a water tank attached to them. It's just plain wrong We are getting a tank put in, so it definitely won't rain for ages after we've got it, but having been on level 3 for a while and now going to level 4 on Wednesday - all builders should have to put in tanks.
#41
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2004
Location: Hills District
Posts: 1,399
Re: Drought
Originally Posted by Swerv-o
I agree, but there seems to be something of a paranoia here about using rain water and grey water, even for menial stuff like washing the car or watering the plants.
I can't get my head around this thinking personally.
S
I can't get my head around this thinking personally.
S
#42
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: Drought
Originally Posted by MartinLuther
Sounds like the "don't panic" letters were good advice.
Any financial adviser worth their salt would not recommend this type of investment for anything less than 5 years.
Any financial adviser worth their salt would not recommend this type of investment for anything less than 5 years.
People put their money in to low risk at the end. Which reminds me - need to put more of my super into riskier funds as I have a fair way to go.
#43
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: Drought
Originally Posted by young_lad
If neccessity is the mother of all invention Australia should be leading the world in water provision measures (and in the use of solar power too for that matter)
#44
Re: Drought
Originally Posted by moneypen20
Every now and then we have a bored moment and go for a wander around the show home estates. It still amazes me that none of the houses ever have a water tank attached to them. It's just plain wrong We are getting a tank put in, so it definitely won't rain for ages after we've got it, but having been on level 3 for a while and now going to level 4 on Wednesday - all builders should have to put in tanks.
Water is about to become a very expensive commodity... So much so that it will affect everyone in this country adversely.
#45
Re: Drought
Originally Posted by thebears
I think the trick with Air Con is to use is sparingly - ie so you can sleep or take the edge off.
By switching the A/C through a humidistat, leaving the thermostat wound up as far as it'll go, you save 60% or so of your electricity bills, create a more comfortable house and don't hve the problems associated with very low interior humidity.