Dry outlook for Darling River and Menindee Lakes, as ecologists focus on fish survival

Water authorities in far west NSW say the Menindee Lakes have received a surprise 30-gigalitre flow in recent weeks, but the outlook is still dry for the lakes and the Darling River.

Murray Cod larvae from last year's major Murray
Cod spawning in the Darling River.

The lakes, which feed the Darling downstream and provide water for the city of Broken Hill, have dropped to about 45 per cent of capacity.

The system filled up over winter last year, but a year on, WaterNSW spokesman Tony Webber said authorities were planning for several months of low to no flows.

"I think it's fair to say that we're anticipating that this low flow situation is going to persevere for the time being. That's certainly how our planning is," Mr Webber said.

Read the ABC News story - “Dry outlook for Darling River and Menindee Lakes, as ecologists focus on fish survival.”

Renewables roadshow: how Broken Hill went from mining to drag queens and solar farms

Broken Hill is the birthplace of modern mining in Australia. It lends its initials “BH” to the mining giant BHP, and in January 2015 in an Australian first, the so-called Silver City was added to the National Heritage list in part due to its mining industry.

A sculpture on the outskirts of Broken Hill.

The city is cut in half by a mine, with a giant pile of waste material rising from its centre. It can be seen from every street in town, like a monument to the stuff the city was built from.

But over the years, mining in Broken Hill has declined. Even the titular hill, the one that appeared “broken”, has been mined away. As it disappeared, so did the jobs.

Around 30,000 people once lived in Broken Hill, with 3,500 employed in the mines. Nowadays the population is around 18,000; approximately 500 of those work in mining.

Read Michael Sleaze’s story on The Guardian - “Renewables roadshow: how Broken Hill went from mining to drag queens and solar farms.”

Solar steps up as coal steps down

Large-scale solar power will inevitably catch up in cost competitiveness with conventional electricity generation in Australia and will "fill the void" as dirty, ageing coal-fired plants are shut down, according to the regional head of the country's biggest solar developer, First Solar.

Jack Curtis, Asia Pacific manager for First Solar, AGL Energy's partner at two major new solar ventures in western NSW, said the company had set up a low-cost local supply chain for key equipment, which would drive down the cost of future projects.

Speaking after the formal opening of the Nyngan and Broken Hill solar plants on Wednesday, Mr Curtis said costs for large-scale solar had already fallen about 30 per cent from 3-4 years ago, to about $120 per megawatt-hour on the back of only a few projects.

Read Angela Macdonald-Smith’s story in today’s Age - “Solar power to 'fill the void' as coal power plants close: First Solar.”

A new 'big; Australian landmark takes shape near Broken Hill

J

ust off the Barrier Highway, a new "big" Australian landmark is on the cusp of completion with the installation of the final solar panel at the Broken Hill Solar Plant.

ARENA, AGL and First Solar today joined NSW Minister for Industry, Resources and Energy, the Hon Anthony Roberts MP and NSW Minister for Environment and Heritage, the Hon Mark Speakman on site to see the last of 677,760 solar panels installed.

Acting ARENA CEO Ian Kay congratulated AGL and First Solar on the milestone.

“There is a real sense of momentum driving large-scale solar in Australia today. The Broken Hill and Nyngan solar plants are already supplying power to Australian homes and we now have $350 million available through ARENA and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, which will further accelerate growth in the sector,” Mr Kay said.

Read the ARENA story - “Another giant step for large-scale solar at Broken Hill”.