Latest news with #Reservoir
ABC News
10-08-2025
- General
- ABC News
As temperatures plummet in winter, heating Australia's public pools comes at an environmental cost
Swimming is a weekly activity for Jim Shen and his two children at their local pool in Melbourne's north. The 42-year-old comes from a family of strong swimmers and wants the same for his own kids. "It's a no-brainer. If you can give them the opportunity to learn how to swim early on, you do that," he said. As temperatures plummet in the winter months, Mr Shen's family visit the Reservoir Leisure Centre's indoor heated pool for lessons and regular exercise. "An indoor pool that's heated, to transition them to colder outdoor pools ... I think that's really important," he said. But Mr Shen — who has a background in engineering and ran an unsuccessful, pro-environment council campaign in 2020 — wishes the centre had a more sustainable way of keeping the water warm. The aquatic facility is operated by the City of Darebin, and draws its heat from gas-fired boilers, which burn fossil fuels to quickly heat its waters and maintain a desired temperature. The municipality was the first worldwide to declare a climate emergency and create an emergency plan to deal with climate change. By 2030, all of its buildings and assets are required to be electric and run on 100 per cent renewable energy. The council said it has reduced its gas emissions over recent years, with Reservoir Leisure Centre contributing to 60 per cent of its remaining gas output. "Principle is one thing, but measurable outcomes is another," Mr Shen said. About a quarter of Australia's aquatic centres are in Victoria. The ABC asked several inner-Melbourne councils how their centres are powered. It shows gas-fired systems at some aquatic centres are contributing to about half of their council's annual greenhouse emissions. In Melbourne's south-east, Stonnington Council operates two leisure centres, which account for 51 per cent of its yearly emissions. Meanwhile, the City of Melbourne operates four centres, which make up around 5 per cent of its gas emissions. The council is planning to convert these facilities to electric heating systems, in line with its net-zero strategy by 2040. Jarrod Leak from the Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity (A2EP), said electrified systems could be 10 times more efficient than the existing fossil fuel boilers heating many of the country's pools in winter. Victoria is facing natural gas shortages because of waning supply from the Bass Strait, according to the Australian energy market retailer AEMO. The regulator predicts gas supplies on the east coast could fall short of demand in peak times within a few years. As well as helping preserve those limited gas supplies, Mr Leak said councils making the switch to electric technologies, like heat pumps, would benefit from lower energy prices and decarbonisation. "These are beautiful and beloved assets by the community, so we want to keep them and we want to see them decarbonised but we need to have them running really efficiently and we need to get them off natural gas," Mr Leak said. A2EP is a not-for-profit collection of businesses and researchers helping corporations transition to a net-zero future. Mr Leak said about a quarter of Australia's aquatic centres are currently running heat pumps, and he expects that to increase to 35 per cent in the next two years. "With that efficiency, and you couple that with renewable electricity, you're getting the gain of lower energy prices and decarbonisation," Mr Leak said. While many councils contacted by the ABC recognised the need to transition to cleaner technology, some are a lot closer to others when it comes to making the change. The Maribyrnong City Council operates one aquatic centre in Melbourne's inner-west, which relies on a gas boiler and accounts for 41 per cent of its yearly emissions. "It's an outdated system and it uses a lot of gas," Mayor Pradeep Tiwari said. The council recently secured a $2.5 million federal government grant to transition the Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre from natural gas to a centralised heat pump system. Mr Tiwari said it will help the council achieve its bold net-zero target by 2030. "It's going to save over 1,200 tonnes of carbon emissions, which equates to about 93 per cent of council's total carbon emissions." The first round of the federal government's Community Energy Upgrades Fund supported 58 local governments to deliver a cheaper and cleaner energy future, including 31 local aquatic centres. The Maribyrnong City Council has estimated the transition to heat pumps will save about $400,000 in operating costs each year. Other centres, which have already made the transition are still ironing out various kinks. The City of Darebin's other aquatic centre at Northcote was designed to be fully electric and achieve the highest sustainability ratings. Unlike gas boilers, the centre's heat pumps extract heat from the surrounding air and transfer it to the pool water. But occasionally, the cold temperatures outside mean the pumps enter a defrost cycle and can't operate effectively, which reduces the temperature of the 50-metre pool from its desired temperature of 26°C. "As a long-term solution, council is also investing to install additional heating infrastructure to support the electric heat pumps," Mayor Kristine Olaris said. The centre has used pool covers and temporary closures to conserve the pool's temperature. Other facilities — like the Brimbank Aquatic Centre in Keilor Downs and the Fitzroy Swimming Pool — have retained limited use of gas boilers to complement the roll-out of electric heat pumps. Mr Leak said this blended approach could help bring down emissions and operating costs. "We say it's good to keep a gas system as a back up. Maybe the heat pump will do 98 per cent of the job, keep the gas system just for that 2 per cent," he said. For habitual swimmers Jim Shen, the shift to more sustainable technology couldn't come soon enough. "If it is good for the environment, and they're able to run these things financially sustainably, then everyone wins in the community," he said.
News.com.au
05-08-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
Melbourne man accused of sending death threats, anti-Semitic remarks to Australian politicians
A Melbourne man accused of sending death threats to a federal lawmaker is working with authorities on a support plan to address his underlying issues, a court has been told. The 33-year-old from Reservoir, in the city's north, was arrested on February 6 as part of an investigation by the AFP-led Special Operation Avalite – set up in the wake of the Adass Israel Synagogue firebombing late last year to probe anti-Semitic threats and violence to Australia's Jewish community and parliamentarians. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with four counts of using a carriage service to menace and one count of using a carriage service to threaten to kill. According to the AFP, it's alleged he used social media and email to make death threats and anti-Semitic comments towards a NSW-based federal MP between January 16 and 18 this year. The man is also alleged to have made threats to a Victorian state MP the same month over social media. He appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Tuesday for a short hearing after his case was referred to the Assessment and Referral Court (ARC). According to the Magistrates' Court of Victoria website, the ARC aims to assist people with complex mental health conditions receive support for up to 12 months before sentencing. 'ARC's therapeutic approach increases participants' engagement with the court process while providing treatment and support tailored to their needs and to address the underlying causes of their offending,' the website states. During the hearing, Magistrate Vincenzo Caltabiano left the bench to sit around a large oval-shaped desk with the accused man, his lawyer Jackson McLeod, a police prosecutor and court support services in a less formal setting. The court was told the man was engaging with support services to develop an individual support plan and access treatment needs. 'A lot of this stuff I've needed for years; its kind of irritating it's come this far,' he said. The accused man complained about his support worker, saying he'd avoided her recently because 'all she wants to do is drug me' and repeatedly mentioned an ex-boyfriend who, he said, had thrown his life into disarray. Mr Caltabiano said he was not going to pretend the ARC process would make things 'rosy' for the accused man, but the hope was his personal situation would improve. 'What I see in here is a number of things that hopefully if they can come together means some of these challenges become less significant,' the magistrate said after reviewing case notes. The accused man will return to court in a month for another case management check-in.
The Hindu
23-07-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
Vehicular movement on Charla-Venkatapuram highway disrupted, forest streams in spate in Agency areas
Vehicular movement was disrupted on Charla-Venkatapuram highway as a forest stream overflowed, inundating a culvert at Yakannagudem village in Venkatapuram mandal of Mulugu district on Wednesday afternoon. The vehicular traffic on the busy stretch of the highway was diverted via Eturunagaram and Manuguru to reach the temple town of Bhadrachalam in Bhadradri Kothagudem district, sources said. Heavy rains battered Bhadrachalam Agency on Wednesday, disrupting normal life in several riverside villages in Charla and Dummugudem mandals. Rotenthavagu, Chintavagu and other forest steams were in spate in Charla mandal due to heavy rainfall in the upstream areas of Taliperu reservoir spread along the Telangana-Chhattisgarh border. Aided by increased inflow from its upper reaches, the water level in Taliperu reservoir in Charla mandal rose to 72.89 metres around noon on Wednesday as against the Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of 74 metres. A total of 15 crest gates were opened, discharging surplus water downstream into the Godavari. Two farmers had a narrow escape when their tractor was swept away in the swollen Erravagu stream at Chinna Thimmapur village in Bheemini mandal of Mancherial district on Wednesday. The stream was suddenly flooded when the farmers were heading to their cotton field in the tractor. They were rescued by the local farmers. In view of forecast of heavy rains in the next 24 hours, control rooms have been operationalised in various northern and eastern districts of the State to tackle rain-related exigencies.
News.com.au
10-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Reservoir: Vintage-style charm catch buyers' attention
A Reservoir house is in demand among family buyers thanks to its retro charm, generous garden and top-notch location. The three-bedroom home at 31 Willoughby St is set on a 668sq m block featuring fruit trees, a paved barbecue area and separate mancave and workshop with its own kitchen space and toilet. Barry Plant Reservoir director Harry Kontossis says that the previous owner, a good handyman, kept the abode in 'immaculate condition'. 'There's nothing to spend, everything has been done,' Kontossis says. 'It's the sort of home you would buy and stay in until your children grow up – it's a good, honest family home.' There's been strong interest, mostly from families, in the residence that has a timber-fitted kitchen with a dishwasher, a dedicated meals area that links to a formal living zone, an additional rumpus area, two bathrooms and a laundry. Pine-lined ceilings and walls, brick feature walls, ornate ceilings and leadlight windows add to a touch of vintage style. 'The location is excellent, it's within walking distance to Reservoir train station, Edwardes Park Lake, the shopping and dining in Edwardes St, schools are close by and so are cafes and eateries,' Kontossis says. 'It's also about a 15-minute walk to the tram line in Gilbert St.' For those who prefer to drive, the home offers a tandem carport with access from a rear lane and secure off-street parking. Other highlights include heating panels throughout, split system heating and cooling with two units, ceiling fans, parquetry floors and new carpets. Mr Kontossis says that one of his favourite parts of the property is the well-maintained rear garden. 'I think the back living area overlooking the gardens is something special,' he adds. The house will be auctioned with a $1m-$1.1m asking range at 11am on July 19.
Hans India
09-07-2025
- Climate
- Hans India
PJP Project Sees Heavy Inflows; Spillway Gates Open as Reservoir Nears Full Level
Gadwal: The Priyadarshini Jurala Project (PJP) dam is witnessing substantial inflows as of 6:00 PM on July 9, 2025. The dam authorities have reported a water level of 317.650 meters (1,042.159 feet), which is just below the Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of 318.516 meters. The gross storage capacity currently stands at 7.933 TMC, while the live storage is reported at 4.226 TMC. Inflow and Outflow Dynamics: The dam is receiving an inflow of 1,22,000 cusecs, a significant surge attributed to upstream rainfall and increased river catchment flow. To manage the incoming water and maintain reservoir safety levels, authorities have released 94,878 cusecs through the spillway, utilizing the 14 spillway gates of the dam. In addition to spillway discharges, the PJP powerhouse is generating hydroelectric power by releasing 28,658 cusecs through turbines. The overall total outflow from the dam is reported at 1,26,365 cusecs, slightly exceeding the inflow rate to ensure water level stabilization. Lift Irrigation and Canal Utilization: Bhima Lift-I has drawn 1,300 cusecs, while Koilsagar Lift has drawn 315 cusecs for irrigation and drinking purposes. The Nettampadu Lift Scheme and Bhima Lift-II have reported no current drawals. Left Main Canal (LMC) and Right Main Canal (RMC) drawals are 770 cusecs and 400 cusecs respectively. This includes 150 cusecs through the RDS Link Canal. Parallel Canal drawal is nil, indicating it is currently not in use. Other drawals from the reservoir are reported to be nil, implying focused and controlled water distribution. Additional Observations: Evaporation losses have been minimal, at 44 cusecs, thanks to recent cloudy and rainy weather. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to ensure safety and optimal water management, given that the water level is nearing the full reservoir mark. Conclusion: The PJP dam is operating under tight monitoring and regulation as inflows remain strong and reservoir levels approach maximum capacity. With effective coordination across spillway discharges, hydro power generation, and irrigation drawals, the dam management has ensured both flood mitigation downstream and water supply to critical agricultural and drinking sectors. Residents downstream have been advised to remain alert as a precautionary measure due to continued high releases. District officials and irrigation department engineers are on high alert to manage further inflows in coordination with weather forecasts and upstream water release patterns.
