We've only been here 10mths and we're concerned about the drought, we're having a house built so we've rquested that our landlord installs water saving devices but it's fallen on deaf ears :-(

We do our bit, no running taps whilst teeth cleaning, short showers etc, etc.

In our new home we're planning on installing as many water saving devices as possible as well as a water tank for when it does eventually rain to collect the run off.

Keebs

From http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov....uraldisasters/

There has been two major droughts in the last twenty years

In 1982-83, large areas of central and eastern - particularly south-eastern - Australia experienced unprecedented low rainfall levels. This was the culmination of the four-year drought that had begun in 1979.

The effects of this drought laid the groundwork for the catastrophic 1983 ‘Ash Wednesday’ bushfires across Victoria and South Australia.

A second drought, which ran between 1991 and 1995 in north-eastern NSW and much of Queensland, was the result of the lowest rainfall levels on record.

You are damn right the butchers are profiteering like crazy.

I sold six steers in November 2005 for $800 a head with an average weight of 360 kilos each. On Wednesday I sold 3 steers for between $300 and $320 each at weights of 300 to 340 kg.

My average price was 217 cents a kilo live weight last year and 100 cents a kilo this week.

OK so that's live weight and roughly half goes to waste, but our local butcher in SA is ripping everyone off at $18.99 per kilo for steak.

Everyone should refuse to pay for beef at that price.

With regards to super - most super companies would run a balanced portfolio so a drop in the share market would be offset by gains elsewhere (probably cash and bonds).

With regards to SERPS. Most people were advised to contract out because the government were offering a bribe (to offload the burden from them). For me personally I was better off contracting out anyway and I'm better off with super. At best I (through my employer's contributions) was paying at least 3 times too much for the state pension.

As for water saving. I've started looking into getting a water audit done. These apparently cost about $70 after the government rebate (VIC). I think I can make big savings by using grey water recycling.

Here is a pretty comprehansive description of the various stages of water restriction..

http://www.nerwa.vic.gov.au/water/re...ions/index.htm

Ballarat for the people that dont know, is Victoria 3rd or 4th biggest town, depending on whether Bendigo is bigger or not.

A lot of people in Ballarat are for want of a better term, tree hugging earth lovers. They conserve water as a matter of course and have been doing so for years. They are already on Stage 4 restrictions, infact even at stage 4 restrictions they will run out of water in 9 months time. The powers that be are now inventing new restrictions. Things like not using Dishwashers, and not washing cars at all.

I personally think that water shortages in this country and now so severe, that it is the greatest threat to our everyday lives.

I'm not sure what the answer is, and I cannot for the life of me figure out why people are not talking about this subject more.

Maybe the politicians are waiting until they get re-elected before the dung hits the turbine.

So a question for those that think water conservation is the way to go... What happened in Ballarat ?

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.

Perhaps it is time to put a ban on back yard swimming pools. For those who live near the coast, the beach is the answer and for those who live inland, most will have a municipal pool within a short walk or drive. It takes a massive amount of water to fill an average family pool and there are an awful lot of them around, with more large water-guzzling holes being dug by the day. The water would be better used on a backyard veggie patch.

I agree Ozzie.

I'm flabbergasted we got our pool passed by the council given the problem is so bad. I feel guilty now

I didn't realise how bad things were and can't understand why they continue to let people build pools

I'm looking into having a slimline watertank fitted to at least water the plants

What level restrictions are you on now ?

We've had permanent level 1 for some time now ( a year roughly) ..which haven't really done a lot due to the dry winter/spring...this time last year the water storage was over 60 %, but this year it is 40.3% - and so we are going to Level 2 next week.

Perhaps if the water is collected via rainwater the pools in a way help the environment. Give the case of a fire the water can be used via the pool pumps?
(Yes I watched Jerico last week )

Not 100% sure as I leave all the pool and garden stuff to David .....but I think it's level 4

Someone at work mentioned the other day that anyone with a pool here now has to have two other water saving devices of some sort e.g duel flush toilet, pool cover, water tank, water efficient washing machine etc, etc

I've always been conscious of not using too much water but we need to do more.

Like Ozzie said, it makes you wonder why it's not highlighted more given the severity?

I've noticed federal government blames state government and vice versa. It's got to be a political agenda

LOL....good answer.

Doesn't make me feel any less selfish for getting a pool put in though mate

A mate told me that having a pool and a well designed house dramatically reduces the need for AC.

You pay taxes so be alittle selfish - where encouraging the neighbours to build one for purely selfish requirements

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