June 2, 2005
By Nick Squires in Goulburn
UK Telegraph

Photo: Australian Farmer Tony Morrison inspects an empty dam on his farm near Goulburn, about 170 km (105 miles) southwest of Sydney, May 31, 2005. Australia's farmers, battling the worst drought in a century, received an extra A$250 million ($189 million) in government support on Monday as residents in the nation's biggest city braced for tougher water restrictions. Photograph taken May 31, 2005. REUTERS/Tim Wimborne

Australia, the world's driest inhabited land mass, is suffering one of its worst droughts in a century, spurring fears that towns and cities may run out of water.

Photo: A vast swathe of the country, from South Australia to Queensland, is already bone dry after four consecutive years of low rainfall. Farmland Goulburn

Now Goulburn, surrounded by prime sheep country 100 miles south-west of Sydney, risks earning the dubious distinction of becoming the first Australian community to lose its water altogether.

Its main supply, the Pejar Dam, is little more than a giant saucer of cracked clay, its water level 35ft lower than it should be.

"It's going to be empty by the end of the month," said Matt O'Rourke, the council's water services manager.

Photo: A sign shows the level of full capacity for Sydney's Warragamba Dam May 30, 2005 which is at it's lowest level ever - just 36 percent capacity. The dam, which supplies 80 percent of Australia's biggest city Sydney of four million people, has reached such a low level that the toughest water usage restrictions ever for Sydney residents is expected to be announced by the state government on Tuesday. Australia's farmers, battling the worst drought in a century, received an extra A$250 million.

"People are really shocked when they see the state of it. Already the water is tasting a bit muddy."

Both the town's public swimming pools have been shut. Sports fields are so hard that they are too dangerous to play on. Gardens can no longer be watered at all and locals are taking two-minute showers.

The town has had to resort to emergency measures, building a pipeline to the nearby Wollondilly River and sinking bore holes to reach underground aquifers.

"What is happening to us should be a wake-up call for the rest of Australia," said Goulburn's mayor, Paul Stephenson.

Photo: Sydney lakes at very low levels due to drought. Australia announced AU$250 million (US$191 million ) in emergency aid to help farmers stay on the land as they fight what is becoming one of the worst droughts in the country's history. (AFP/HO/File)

"We have all got to bite the bullet, otherwise cities like Sydney and Melbourne will start running out of water."

Australians may in future have to learn to do without such conveniences as dishwashers and backyard swimming pools, some experts believe.

"We are going to have to change our view of what gardens should look like," said Prof Peter Cullen, a government adviser on water policy.

"Lush green lawns will have to give way to drought-resistant native plants."

Photo: A worker hangs from a crane on the wall of Sydney's Warragamba Dam on May 30, 2005 which is at it's lowest level ever - just 36 percent capacity. The dam, which supplies 80 percent of Australia's biggest city Sydney of four million people, has reached such a low level that the toughest water usage restrictions ever for Sydney residents is expected to be announced by the state government on Tuesday.

While urban Australians get used to shrivelled rose beds and shorter showers, for those in the bush the drought brings heartache and financial disaster.

"It's bloody tough and it's wearing people down," said Tony Morrison, who farms 7,000 merino sheep on a 4,000 acre property outside Goulburn.

Graphic: The US has its only drought considerations.

With his fields the colour of cardboard and covered in brittle, straw-like grass, he has to feed the sheep with grain every two days.

"I've never seen a drought this bad for so long," said Mr Morrison, 64,

"Head west from here and it gets even worse. If the drought continues into the spring and summer it will be an absolute calamity."

Australia's National Climate Centre reported yesterday that the only droughts more severe than the current "big dry" were those in the 1890s and 1940s.

Authorities in Sydney this week announced new restrictions on water use under which people will only be able to water their gardens twice a week, with 50 patrol cars on the prowl for those caught breaking the rules.

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