Author Description

This book is intended as a comprehensive study of the ciritcal water-related issues facing Australia as it moves into the 21st Century. It explores the background to the profound re-orientation that has recently taken place in relation to water resources in this country. Further development of water resources is now seen as the exception rather than the rule and management of existing supplies is recognized as the rational response to water scarcity. Attention is directed first towards the role of water in the settlement and occupation of the continent, andthe efforts made to overcome the hazards of drought and flood. The changing emphasis in water management is examined with reference to recent controversies over dam construction, irrigation development, wetlands, river 'improvements' and inland diversion of coastal streams. Efficient management of water resources is the them underlying much of the discussion in the book.