Tourist drowns at Bulli

WOLLONGONG University hosted a seminar on water recycling last week, amid widespread concern over the continuing national water crisis. Water heavyweights, Minister David Campbell and Sydney Water managing director Kerry Schott opened the conference, speaking on plans for a desalination plant and the possibility of various water schemes for Sydney and the Illawarra.

"Water is at the top of everyone's mind," said Ms Schott, who presented projections of a huge rise in recycled water in the Sydney-Illawarra and Blue Mountains area. "By 2011, we will be running at 170 megalitres a day, which is about 17 percent of Sydney's water supply," she said.

David Campbell spoke on the Government's plan for, and past achievements with water. In his address he said it was "a great day to reflect on what the NSW Government has achieved," and spoke of the benefits of state-based over Commonwealth-based water control. "It is entirely appropriate that we debate these issues and Wollongong University should be commended for hosting it," Mr Campbell said. Mr Campbell said that while there are no plans to supply the Illawarra with partly recycled drinking water, "Premier Iemma has made it clear that this is not a never-ever situation." "We recognise that there is a long way to go," he said