The government has announced that the cost of water will jump by 17.7 per cent from July 1.
WAFF spokesman Mike Norton says farmers and graziers are not exempt from the price rises.
"Believe me there isn't a lot of money in farming at the moment, and something like this will just mean that the price has to be pushed over to the consumer. Full story HERE.
Personally I grow our food for reasons other than price. I love the flavour, there is NOTHING good that can be said about the veggies and fruits (that taste like cardboard) you buy from your local supermarket.
I love the fact that I know our food is chemical free in my garden. I enjoy watching it grow, tending it provides relaxation I don't get anywhere else and let's face it, nothing compares to eating sun warmed fruit or crisp veggies just picked and placed on a plate. In addition, there is more nutrient in something picked 30 minutes before eating, you can't beat that.
To my way of thinking, every new home should have to have a large water tank in the plans before approval is given. In addition every existing house should be given 5 years to have one installed. I cannot believe in a country as dry as ours we have swimming pools in every 2nd back yard but few and far between water tanks! Perhaps the unintended benefit of the water costs rising will be the placement of a few more water tanks around homes......one can only hope that a move towards greater self sufficiency is the byproduct.
With the cooler weather has come the need to bring out the clothes stand, we put it by the wood fire and let the clothes dry as we keep warm. Most days clothes will dry completely on the outside clothes line, however there are some days it is just too damp. Strange, I have never owned or used a clothes dryer in my life, there aren't many of us around my age that could say that I suspect lol.
The new laying box is working out well. Will be wonderful for winter, no more wading through muck to gather the eggs!
They also seem to keep this box much cleaner than their other....have no idea why they treat it differently lol.
The pumpkins are just about finished. We harvested massive amounts of these this year, much of it has been blanched and frozen in thick slices, ready for baking, soups or casseroles......YUM! One of my favourite veggies:)
The tomatoes finished last month after fruiting copiously) and were looking ready to pull out, instead I decided to cut them all the way back....not only did they shoot back like crazy they have started fruiting again!
And now I am off to do some of that wonderfully exciting (tongue in cheek) domestic engineering......I hope your weekend is a good one, get plenty of rest and take care of you and yours:)
12 Responses:
Hi Molly, like you, I dont own a clothes dryer but I must confess that I have had one in the past. I dont see the need. I have an old wooden clothes airer and a slow combustion wood fire, and although it takes a little longer it works just fine.
About the water issues, we moved from suburbia to heaven (Adelaide Hills) in 1988, lived in a shed for ten years until our house was built, we have never had a problem with running out of water. There is NO mains water so we have to catch all of our needs from the heaven. Four tanks and a couple of pumps to transfer to the "header tank" is plenty to grow most of our vegetables and fruit each year.I shall never understand why ALL Aussie homes do not have at least one tank.
Take care, happy gardening.
Hi Olive, thanks for commenting:) I'm with you on the water thing. I think we have grown up with everything so easy not many take the time to think of where anything comes from or any consequences of overuse........of anything, not just water.
Hi Molly,
With a counrty like Australia I find it a source of constant frustration that every house doesn't have a water tank or solar hot water system.
Perhaps instead of spending so much money on bloody sport it could go towards buying and installing water tanks.
No doubt such an attitude would be considered very Unaustralian. Just as well I'm a Pom ;-)
Hey Nev, all we can hope is that the push on prices means more will consider installing them:)
It sounds like it is coming together brilliantly at your place, Molly...
Slowly but surely Dixie:)
Here in Sth Aust all new homes must have a rain water tank plumbed to the house. There are also rebates available for people who install a rain water tank and have it plumbed to their existing homes. However, if it's not plumbed you dont get the rebate. I think that's a little unfair and that the rebate should apply whether the tank will be plumbed to the house or not. Afterall, so much water can be saved simply by people watering their garden with a rain water supply rather than using mains, not to mention a saving on cost for the consumer!
~S.
I'm with you Sorcha, it should be rebatable upon purchase, not use, many operate from gravity alone around here
I wonder if the mining companies will finally have to pay for water? At the moment they pay...nothing!
Roxby uses more water than the whole of the city of melbourne, yet they don't pay a red cent.
I think every one should pay a fair share, don't you? :-(
I couldnt agree more Daharja!
I'm surprised that more people don't have water tanks in Australia. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. When Lee and I lived in Arizona almost no one had solar panels (you couldn't have a better state to use them in with all the sun) or water tanks (which is odd since there was so little rain and so many people). Arizona also had tons of pools. Guess peoples priorities aren't there unless costs start raising. Kinda like when the oil prices went up over here and then everyone started trying to ditch their gas guzzling SUV's and get more fuel efficient cars.
Robin, its a sad reflection on our failure to recognise our partnership with mother earth, we think we can do what we want, when we want and how we want without repercussion:(
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