WATER RESOURCES

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 9, 6 October 1943, Page 5

WATER RESOURCES

New South Wales Plan SYDNEY, September 30. To develop New South Wales water resources, 17 conserving dams and storages, seven diversion weirs, _ and 18 schemes for distribution, involving thousands of miles of canals and channels, are planned at an estimated cost of £26,500,000, the Rural Reconstruction Commission was told in Sydney. Mr. 11. M. Larkins, deputy-chief engineer, Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission, submitted details of the plans. Twelve irrigation districts and six stock supply districts are involved. The initial scheme, to be completed in 15 years, it was stated, would cost £23,000.000. Mr. G. J. Evatt, Water Commissioner, said that to ensure continuity of work there should be adequate planning both for work and funds. Expenditure should be regular, as fluctuation increased costs/ Mr. C. R. Lambert, chairman of the New South Wales Rural Construction Board and a member of the commission, suggested that pressure of other public works might prevent regular flow of labour and materials for irrigation construction. He said that an interchange of staff and labour between the Public Works Department and the 'Water Commission, to even out work between the various projects, might be possible.