community environment

Central Australia – an arid zone

Central Australia is a land of extremes – from scorching summer days to winter nights where temperatures can fall well below zero and frost covers the ground. Rainfall patterns here are also extremely variable – from long dry periods of no rain at all, to flash floods that send frothing torrents along ordinarily dry river beds.

Central Australia has abundant plant and animal life. The area supports more than 50 species of native mammals (including bats and native mice, kangaroos and euros), numerous reptiles, and abundant bird life (over 230 species).

Plants and animals here respond to the widely variable climate with a “boom or bust” approach. Years with good rainfall produce dense carpets of wildflowers and grasses, swirling flocks of budgies and zebra finches, and surges in numbers of insects and small mammals. Drier times cause animal populations to decline, occasionally to the point where only a few individuals of a species survive.

To learn more about the ecology of Central Australia visit the Alice Springs Desert Park website.

However the region has been heavily influenced by feral plant and animal species. Changes to the landscape and ecology have occurred due to the introduction of buffel grass and other weeds, predatory species (cats and foxes) and competitive herbivores (rabbits, cattle, horses and camels). These feral species as well as a change in burning patterns, have all contributed to the loss of biodiversity in Central Australia. Since the mid 1800’s when the first European explorers traversed the area, there have been 14 mammals extinctions (animals such as bettongs, numbats and bandicoots), and a large number of animals in the region are threatened or endangered.

Sustainability in Alice Springs – the Issues

Water

Alice Springs water supply comes from a groundwater aquifer at the Roe Creek Borefield, 15km from town. The water in this aquifer is 6000 years old, and only recharges at a rate of 5% per annum, so it is essentially non-renewable. The water is pumped from over 145 metres below ground, and this level continues to drop by more than a metre a year. As the level continues to drop, pumping water out of the aquifer becomes less and less economically feasible. At the present rate of use (and annual population growth rate of 1.5%), this water supply is expected to last for 300 to 400 years.

Alice Springs residents are potentially highest water use in Australia, averaging 1,500 litres a day per house. About 65% of this water goes on gardens.

To improve water conservation, a water efficiency plan has been prepared for Alice Springs, but not yet implemented. The Alice Springs Water Efficiency Study report series can be found on the NT Government website and for more information on water conservation see the NT Government's Waterwise website.

Power

Alice Springs uses turbines powered by natural gas piped from the Mereenie and Palm Valley gas fields, 200km west of the town. Natural gas is a non-renewable resource because once it is used up it can not be replenished. Therefore, whether we source our power from fossil fuels or natural gas, the town is essentially mining the resource, which is unsustainable in the long term. However, the use of natural gas for power generation in Alice Springs greatly reduces the production of greenhouse gases compared to coal-fired power stations.

The Alice Springs Town Council is keen for Alice Springs to become an iconic location that promotes the use of renewable energy sources such as solar. Early in 2007 Alice Springs was chosen by the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Water Resources as a member of the Solar Cities program. More details of the program are on our Solar Cities page.

Houses in Alice use around 8000 kilowatt hours of electricity a year, while bottled liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and wood are also common for heating and cooking.

Breakdown of average household power use in Alice Springs

Greenhouse Gases

In the Northern Territory, the main source of greenhouse gas emissions is from the agriculture sector (64%), but this is principally as a result of burning in savannah areas of the Top End. The production and use of electricity also contributes significantly (23%), followed by emissions in the transport sector (8%) from burning fossil fuels.

In Alice Springs, an inventory in 1996 showed the town produced over 325,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. By 2010, this figure is predicted to increase to 450,000 tonnes if no mitigation measures were to be taken. Over 60% of these emissions come from electricity use, with much of the remainder as a result of fossil fuel use.

The Council has committed to working with the Alice Springs community to decrease the town’s emissions through involvement in the Cities for Climate Protection Program, run by the Australian Greenhouse Office.

Food supply

Almost all food in Alice Springs is freighted from Adelaide or elsewhere in Australia via road or rail. Some fruit and vegetables are grown locally, but mostly Alice Springs relies on external sources for food. Sustainable food production in Alice would need to be balanced between local water use for food production versus transport costs to import food from other places.

A $9.4m project for utilising treated water pumped into the ground into aquifers and then reused is almost complete in Alice Springs. Agricultural land has been earmarked to use the 600 million Litres per annum. No commercial partners have stepped up because of the transport costs involved in getting produce to market in the cities (see www.clw.csiro.au/research/urban/reuse/projects/soil_aquifer_alicesprings.html)

Local market gardeners have demonstrated the viability of commercially growing a broad range of fruit and vegetables (although this is dependent on the current 'limitless' water supply). By carefully ensuring supply matches demand, most of central Australia’s fresh produce can be grown locally and economically.

Waste

There is almost no manufacturing in Alice Springs so almost all products come from elsewhere, freighted by rail or road. Therefore to reduce the costs to the environment of fossil fuel use through the transport of goods to and from Alice Springs, residents are encouraged to refuse, reduce, reuse and recycle wherever possible.

In order for Alice Springs to continue to be a viable town into the future, we must conserve our precious resources, whilst still maintaining a comfortable standard of living.

In 2005, community members from Alice Springs took part in a series of planning workshops called the ‘Roadmap to a desertSMART Town’. The result of these workshops was a document outlining a long term vision for a sustainable Alice Springs. To get a copy of this ‘Roadmap’, visit the Arid Lands Environment Centre at 16/67 Todd Mall, Alice Springs.

Be desertSMART – Tips for living sustainability in Alice Springs

• Protect and conserve local wildlife
  • Get involved in a landcare or land for wildlife group – Land for Wildlife, or Gardens for Wildlife are two local organisations.
  • Plant natives in your garden to attract local birds and small mammals
• Reduce water use
  • Get a Home Water Audit from DKA COOLmob to find where you can save on your water bills. Contact: 8952 0299 or dka.coolmob@coolmob.org
  • Use water savings appliances like: water efficient shower heads, flow restrictors, dual-flush toilets, low water-use dishwashers and washing machines. Look for a good Water Rating – the more A’s or stars, the more water efficient.
  • Consider installing a rainwater tank. Although rain is infrequent in Alice Springs, a rainwater tank can supply up to 10% of a household’s water needs.
  • Consider installing a greywater system to reuse water from the bathroom and laundry in the garden (see www.csat.com.au for local specifications).
• Address high garden water use by:
  • weaning plants off excess irrigation
  • use native or desert-adapted plants
  • reduce lawn areas to a minimum
  • use drip irrigation systems
  • zone the garden into different water use areas
  • mulch soils to protect from evaporation
  • capture stormwater in tanks for use in the garden
  • fix leaking taps
  • use tap timers or auto controllers.
• Use passive design in your home
  • Shade windows and glass doors to keep summer sun out
  • Use curtains, pelmets, door seals and blinds on winter nights
  • Insulate
  • Ensure the roof is a light colour (white or cream)
  • Shade eastern and western windows and walls
  • Allow winter sun into your home to assist with heating
  • Plant shade trees on the east and west sides of your home
  • Use ceiling fans to assist with summer cooling (but be aware that each fan uses 50w - multiple fans can consume significant amounts of power).
  • Ventilate your roof space
  • For more information on retrofitting your home for improved passive design for the Alice Springs climate get a copy of ’Sustainable Housing in Central Australia’ from the Centre for Sustainable Arid Towns or NT Department of Planning and Infrastructure
• Save electricity and other sources of energy
  • Install a solar hot water system, and only use the booster when necessary.
  • Make use of natural daylight
  • Choose energy efficient appliances (using energy ratings), especially fridges and other white goods
  • Install compact fluorescent light bulbs instead of the old style incandescent globes. They are more expensive to buy but last much, much longer and save substantial power (up to $80 per light per year).
  • Compare the energy rating labels of refrigerative air conditioners before purchasing and keep them well maintained.
  • If heating with gas, use a flued gas heater for improved efficiency
  • If heating with wood, use a reputable supplier.
  • Activate energy saving features on your computer, printer, fax and photocopier.
  • Turn off appliances at the wall or switch to save on standby power. Wherever you see a red light on a TV , DVD or stereo you are using power.
• Save fossil fuels
  • Only use your car when necessary – walk, cycle or take the bus instead
  • When purchasing a vehicle compare the fuel efficiency of various models before making your decision.
  • Try not to use large vehicles, such as 4-wheel drives for short drives, such as town errands.
• Recycling and waste reduction
  • Try to buy products without excessive packaging and paper
  • Consider whether your purchases are necessary – would something you already own or can buy second-hand do the job just as well?
  • Buy in bulk where possible
  • Repair appliances instead of replacing them
  • Reuse containers, building materials, clothes etc
  • Buy second-hand
  • Recycle containers, old appliances, building materials, toys and clothes.
  • Have a lawn sale instead of throwing items away.
  • Compost your food waste

The most comprehensive local guide to sustainable living is Sustainable Housing in Central Australia’ by the Centre for Sustainable Arid Towns. Copies can be obtained from Centre for Sustainable Arid Towns, 6/67 Todd Mall Alice Springs or the NT Department of Planning and Infrastructure.

Local Action Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gas in Alice Springs

environment organisations in the Alice Springs Community Directory