Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
All eyes and ears on the situation with the Darwin
River Dam.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Now.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Yesterday afternoon, the Power Water Corporation advised that the Darwen
River Dam stopped operating at four point thirty in the
afternoon due to substantial flooding of the pump station and
associated equipment. The dam wall was not impacted. We know
that this is an unprecedented situation and we've never seen
the volume of water in the dam before that we've
(00:27):
currently got. Now joining us in the studio is Power
and Water Corporation's Acting CEO, John Peace. Good morning to you, John.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Good morning, Katie, and good morning to your listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
Thanks so much for your time this morning. I know
that there's been a number of meetings I imagine throughout
this morning in relation to the Darwin River dam situation.
What is the go with the pump currently?
Speaker 2 (00:51):
As you mentioned in your introduction, Katie, the high rain
that we've had recently and also which caused flash flooding
in the Darwen River that then spilled into the area
where the Darwin pump station is and inundated that we
have protective systems to shut off the power when that
alarms went off at four point thirty, which is when
(01:12):
it first shut down. We then deployed crews who've worked
through the night to come up with contingencies, and we've
also got cruise. We're throwing everything at it, as you
can imagine, absolutely to put the contingencies in place.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
So what are those contingencies.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
The first one that where which we've just we've mobilized
some mobile generators to site. It will take some time
to get them. They're very heavy generators, as you can imagine,
and it's a very soggy, water laden kind of road
to get there. But that's the first contingency we've got.
The second one is this overhead power infrastructure at site,
(01:47):
which is all still intact. We've turned off that power
as a precaution given the flooding, but that provides a
plan B if our first contingency can't be done. Once
we get the generators on site, teams will then be
doing an assessment, connecting them up and seeking to start
the generators.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
So how soon do you anticipate that either the generators
are going to be able to be hooked up or
that the overhead power will be able to be utilized.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
I think the Chief Minister earlier indicated maybe a day
two days. I think that's a reasonable estimate at this
point in time until we get the generators on site
and the teams can make it an assessment.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
So one to two days away, but I would imagine
that there's a few different things probably that need to
line up in order for that to all go to plan.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Yes, the teams need to assess the condition of the
generators on site and the connections. That'll be all part
of their assessment once they get on site. The key
thing we need at the moment is the message we've
put out asking all residents and commercial businesses in Darwin
to reduce their water consumption. It's simple things for the
moms and dads, whether it's turning off the tap when
(02:54):
you're brushing your teeth, having a shorter shower, and please
turn off your reticulation or sprinklers. With the amount of
rain we're having, no garden needs to be watered as well.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
Now, talk us through though some of the modeling that
Power and Water might have done at this point in time.
How many days you know, how many days have we
got water supply? You know? In terms of if though
until those contingencies come back up online.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
The difficulty to give you a number of precise numbers.
As people are changing their consumption habits, we can't really
predict it. It keeps changing.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
So if we stayed at the rate we're currently at,
how many days we have.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Our priority at the moment is for territorians and Darwen
residents to reduce their consumption to extend the time as
much as possible. We don't have a specific this is
when it runs because it's a moving feast.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
Is there a ballpark?
Speaker 2 (03:43):
No, we don't have a ballpark. We're relying on Darwin
residents to reduce their consumption to support all of their
fellow Territorians as we work through the implementation of the
contingency measures.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
So I suppose because people will be listening this morning,
they're going to be thinking to themselves, surely Water has
done some modeling in terms of how many days worth
of water we've got for us up here in the
Greater Darwin region when it comes to our drinking and
for our essential use. Like totally understand that the main
priority is to get people to reduce their usage, but
we must have a bit of an idea of how
(04:17):
long the water that we've got's going to last.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
Katie this is an unprecedented situation. We've never seen this
level of water get into whether the dar Pump River
pump station is so we're working through it and we're
throwing everything at it we can, and that's why we've
asked residents to reduce and commercial businesses and industrial customers
(04:41):
to reduce their water consumption as much.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
So we're heavily reliant on everybody reducing that consumption because
you know, I guess, just based on what you'd said
to me before, we're expecting hopefully one to two days
before we can get the generator hooked in or those
overhead power lines to be able to work, So a
couple of days, one to two days, hopefully sooner rather
(05:02):
than later. But in the meantime, that reduction is absolutely
required from all Territorians and our large users.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Absolutely. You know, we're confident that Territorians will do the
right thing. We're renowned for leaning in in response to
extreme weather events. Yes, we're working and throwing everything we
can to get those contingency measures in place as quickly
as we can. But if everybody does what we've asked
them to do, and we trust them to do that,
(05:32):
it will mean there won't be any issue with water
supply over the period that we're bringing the contingency measures
in place.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
So I know people are going to be asking how
much water do we actually have in supply and how
long is it going to last if you can't get
that pump going.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
At the moment. We've got every confidence that between Plan
A and Plan B, we will be able to have
the pump going inside the period that I indicated.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
All right, so within a couple of days. So there's
no need for people to be really alarmed at this
point in time.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
No, it's a matter for caution. I think, as the
Chief Minister said, you know, we're not going to say
to people, don't go out and buy water. People are
obviously free to do as that. But at this point
in time, we're confident that if residents and commercial businesses
do as we're asking reduce their water consumption, we won't
have an issue by the time we have the pump
station back online.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
All right. So it does sound as though with the
bores that you're currently drawing water from the bores, is
that correct?
Speaker 2 (06:27):
That's right. Well, when the pump station first turned off,
we immediately looked at our first priority and that was
bringing the ball fields up to kind of maximum production,
which is where we're at at the moment.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
All right, and there is quite a bit of water
in those ballfields.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
We're not worried about the quantity of water in the
ball fields. I tart it to produce. We're operating within
our license ability to draw from the aquifier from those boars.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
And so look, I know I'm being very repetitive, but
I know that this morning are going to be quite worried.
They're going to be thinking to themselves, all right, well,
we're being told to reduce our consumption. Major businesses are
being told to reduce their consumption. But we're also being
told that within a couple of days we're able to
hopefully get Darwin River back up and running. I know, though,
what people are going to be screaming at the radio is, Katie,
(07:18):
how many days of supply do we actually have a
weird a real risk here of losing water supply?
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Katie, I wouldn't say, hoping we're confident we'll have the
pump station back online in that period of time. We
ask Darwin residents to be calm. Understand that people may
be concerned, but we're confident that if they stick to
the plan, reduce their water consumption as we've described big corporates,
reduce their water consumption, will be fine and we'll get
(07:48):
through this. We'll have the contingency measures in place and
the restrict and the reduction in water consumption will will
no longer be necessary.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
So how how will those water reductions help? You know,
like how big an impact it's going is it going
to actually make if people do sort of go all right, well,
I'm just going to have a two minute shower, and
some of those major businesses don't use the same level
of water that they would.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Usually every bit counts, Katie, whether it's you know, you
have a two minute shower instead of a ten minute shower.
You turn the tap off when you're brushing your teeth,
the corporates turn off. You know, we're in contact with
our big corporate customers and encouraging them to turn off.
Word they're cooperating in that regard, and we also ask
mums and dads. It's the collective of everybody contributing reduces
(08:35):
the drawer from water and obviously extends the amount.
Speaker 1 (08:37):
Of water that will Yeah, look again, I know I
sound repetitive. But I know that people are going to
be worried, like they're thinking to themselves, I'm being asked
to sort of make these or take these water reduction measures.
But Power and Water are saying, you know, we've got
contingencies in place, there's nothing to be too worried about.
Or you know, it's up to you whether you go
out and you go and purchase your water or not.
(09:00):
I mean, we we also don't know how many days
we've got up our sleeve. But you're basically saying to
people listening this morning, there are contingencies. We're gonna get
this pump fixed within a couple of days.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
Exactly, do the right thing as we've asked in terms
of reducing their water consumption, and we'll all get through
this together. We trust Darwin residents to do the right
thing and heat our.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
Message and so if they do, we're not going to
wind up running out of water. No, Okay, how in
terms of the actual like pump, is it still underwater
at the moment, and do you know how much damage
it may have like may have been caused.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Cruiser assessing the My understanding is the water levels have
now dropped out of the pump station so cruiser inspecting
what damage or not happened. So I don't have a
precise answer on that.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
I know there was a lot of there was a
lot of discussion yesterday or there was people sort of
by evening yesterday saying, oh, the you know, the actual
dams broken its banks and there's you know, there's damage
to the you know, to the dam and very like
the wall.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
Is that the case, I can assure your listeners there
is absolutely nothing wrong with the dam walls. This is
purely a case of the amount of water that's fallen
ended up in the catchment area generally, and the Darwin
River itself which overflowed. It was the flooding from that
which caused the issue of the pump station.
Speaker 1 (10:19):
And as you've said, I mean quite an unprecedented situation
for us to be in. I think right across the
top end we're seeing quite an unprecedented situation with the flooding, etc.
With the future proofing I guess of our water supply,
what work is underway in that sense if this happens again.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
There's a multiple factors that are underway. There's a new
pump station being built at Darwin River Dam itself, that
should be completed by August this year. We're also your
listeners would be aware bringing mant and Dam back into service.
We're thankful to both the Northern Territory Government and the
Australian Government for the funding to do that. That will
provide an alternate source of water, drinking water, safe drinking
(10:59):
water to territories. They're the key immediate measures that we
have in place to build additional redundancy into our system.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
And so assuming if that had been if that was complete,
we wouldn't be in the situation that we're currently in
where we're reducing our water usage.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
Whenever you've got redundancy, it gives you options to go
to in that situation.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
So I mean, is that the message for listeners this morning?
Is it more a situation here that you know that
these measures in terms of saving water are also a
bit of a redundancy, you know, so that you've got
the time to be able to get that pump fixed.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
At the end of the day. It is demand management
as part of that issue, and so people reducing their
consumption puts less drain on the stores of waters that
we have, so it makes it easier for us to
maintain water during the period that we bring it online.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
But in terms of the water stores that we've got, yes,
we've got enough that listeners do not need to worry.
We are not going to run out of essential supply
of water.
Speaker 2 (11:56):
No, we'll be fine.
Speaker 1 (11:58):
All right. Well, I appreciate your time this morning. I
know you've got a press conference as well coming up.
I know our listeners will appreciate you joining us in
the studio as well. Acting CEO of Power and Water Corporation,
John Peace, thank you so much for joining us in
the studio.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
Thank you, Katie, and thank you to your listeners.
All eyes and ears on the situation with the Darwin
River Dam.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Now.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Yesterday afternoon, the Power Water Corporation advised that the Darwen
River Dam stopped operating at four point thirty in the
afternoon due to substantial flooding of the pump station and
associated equipment. The dam wall was not impacted. We know
that this is an unprecedented situation and we've never seen
the volume of water in the dam before that we've
(00:27):
currently got. Now joining us in the studio is Power
and Water Corporation's Acting CEO, John Peace. Good morning to you, John.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Good morning, Katie, and good morning to your listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
Thanks so much for your time this morning. I know
that there's been a number of meetings I imagine throughout
this morning in relation to the Darwin River dam situation.
What is the go with the pump currently?
Speaker 2 (00:51):
As you mentioned in your introduction, Katie, the high rain
that we've had recently and also which caused flash flooding
in the Darwen River that then spilled into the area
where the Darwin pump station is and inundated that we
have protective systems to shut off the power when that
alarms went off at four point thirty, which is when
(01:12):
it first shut down. We then deployed crews who've worked
through the night to come up with contingencies, and we've
also got cruise. We're throwing everything at it, as you
can imagine, absolutely to put the contingencies in place.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
So what are those contingencies.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
The first one that where which we've just we've mobilized
some mobile generators to site. It will take some time
to get them. They're very heavy generators, as you can imagine,
and it's a very soggy, water laden kind of road
to get there. But that's the first contingency we've got.
The second one is this overhead power infrastructure at site,
(01:47):
which is all still intact. We've turned off that power
as a precaution given the flooding, but that provides a
plan B if our first contingency can't be done. Once
we get the generators on site, teams will then be
doing an assessment, connecting them up and seeking to start
the generators.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
So how soon do you anticipate that either the generators
are going to be able to be hooked up or
that the overhead power will be able to be utilized.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
I think the Chief Minister earlier indicated maybe a day
two days. I think that's a reasonable estimate at this
point in time until we get the generators on site
and the teams can make it an assessment.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
So one to two days away, but I would imagine
that there's a few different things probably that need to
line up in order for that to all go to plan.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Yes, the teams need to assess the condition of the
generators on site and the connections. That'll be all part
of their assessment once they get on site. The key
thing we need at the moment is the message we've
put out asking all residents and commercial businesses in Darwin
to reduce their water consumption. It's simple things for the
moms and dads, whether it's turning off the tap when
(02:54):
you're brushing your teeth, having a shorter shower, and please
turn off your reticulation or sprinklers. With the amount of
rain we're having, no garden needs to be watered as well.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
Now, talk us through though some of the modeling that
Power and Water might have done at this point in time.
How many days you know, how many days have we
got water supply? You know? In terms of if though
until those contingencies come back up online.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
The difficulty to give you a number of precise numbers.
As people are changing their consumption habits, we can't really
predict it. It keeps changing.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
So if we stayed at the rate we're currently at,
how many days we have.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Our priority at the moment is for territorians and Darwen
residents to reduce their consumption to extend the time as
much as possible. We don't have a specific this is
when it runs because it's a moving feast.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
Is there a ballpark?
Speaker 2 (03:43):
No, we don't have a ballpark. We're relying on Darwin
residents to reduce their consumption to support all of their
fellow Territorians as we work through the implementation of the
contingency measures.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
So I suppose because people will be listening this morning,
they're going to be thinking to themselves, surely Water has
done some modeling in terms of how many days worth
of water we've got for us up here in the
Greater Darwin region when it comes to our drinking and
for our essential use. Like totally understand that the main
priority is to get people to reduce their usage, but
we must have a bit of an idea of how
(04:17):
long the water that we've got's going to last.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
Katie this is an unprecedented situation. We've never seen this
level of water get into whether the dar Pump River
pump station is so we're working through it and we're
throwing everything at it we can, and that's why we've
asked residents to reduce and commercial businesses and industrial customers
(04:41):
to reduce their water consumption as much.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
So we're heavily reliant on everybody reducing that consumption because
you know, I guess, just based on what you'd said
to me before, we're expecting hopefully one to two days
before we can get the generator hooked in or those
overhead power lines to be able to work, So a
couple of days, one to two days, hopefully sooner rather
(05:02):
than later. But in the meantime, that reduction is absolutely
required from all Territorians and our large users.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Absolutely. You know, we're confident that Territorians will do the
right thing. We're renowned for leaning in in response to
extreme weather events. Yes, we're working and throwing everything we
can to get those contingency measures in place as quickly
as we can. But if everybody does what we've asked
them to do, and we trust them to do that,
(05:32):
it will mean there won't be any issue with water
supply over the period that we're bringing the contingency measures
in place.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
So I know people are going to be asking how
much water do we actually have in supply and how
long is it going to last if you can't get
that pump going.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
At the moment. We've got every confidence that between Plan
A and Plan B, we will be able to have
the pump going inside the period that I indicated.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
All right, so within a couple of days. So there's
no need for people to be really alarmed at this
point in time.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
No, it's a matter for caution. I think, as the
Chief Minister said, you know, we're not going to say
to people, don't go out and buy water. People are
obviously free to do as that. But at this point
in time, we're confident that if residents and commercial businesses
do as we're asking reduce their water consumption, we won't
have an issue by the time we have the pump
station back online.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
All right. So it does sound as though with the
bores that you're currently drawing water from the bores, is
that correct?
Speaker 2 (06:27):
That's right. Well, when the pump station first turned off,
we immediately looked at our first priority and that was
bringing the ball fields up to kind of maximum production,
which is where we're at at the moment.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
All right, and there is quite a bit of water
in those ballfields.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
We're not worried about the quantity of water in the
ball fields. I tart it to produce. We're operating within
our license ability to draw from the aquifier from those boars.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
And so look, I know I'm being very repetitive, but
I know that this morning are going to be quite worried.
They're going to be thinking to themselves, all right, well,
we're being told to reduce our consumption. Major businesses are
being told to reduce their consumption. But we're also being
told that within a couple of days we're able to
hopefully get Darwin River back up and running. I know, though,
what people are going to be screaming at the radio is, Katie,
(07:18):
how many days of supply do we actually have a
weird a real risk here of losing water supply?
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Katie, I wouldn't say, hoping we're confident we'll have the
pump station back online in that period of time. We
ask Darwin residents to be calm. Understand that people may
be concerned, but we're confident that if they stick to
the plan, reduce their water consumption as we've described big corporates,
reduce their water consumption, will be fine and we'll get
(07:48):
through this. We'll have the contingency measures in place and
the restrict and the reduction in water consumption will will
no longer be necessary.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
So how how will those water reductions help? You know,
like how big an impact it's going is it going
to actually make if people do sort of go all right, well,
I'm just going to have a two minute shower, and
some of those major businesses don't use the same level
of water that they would.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Usually every bit counts, Katie, whether it's you know, you
have a two minute shower instead of a ten minute shower.
You turn the tap off when you're brushing your teeth,
the corporates turn off. You know, we're in contact with
our big corporate customers and encouraging them to turn off.
Word they're cooperating in that regard, and we also ask
mums and dads. It's the collective of everybody contributing reduces
(08:35):
the drawer from water and obviously extends the amount.
Speaker 1 (08:37):
Of water that will Yeah, look again, I know I
sound repetitive. But I know that people are going to
be worried, like they're thinking to themselves, I'm being asked
to sort of make these or take these water reduction measures.
But Power and Water are saying, you know, we've got
contingencies in place, there's nothing to be too worried about.
Or you know, it's up to you whether you go
out and you go and purchase your water or not.
(09:00):
I mean, we we also don't know how many days
we've got up our sleeve. But you're basically saying to
people listening this morning, there are contingencies. We're gonna get
this pump fixed within a couple of days.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
Exactly, do the right thing as we've asked in terms
of reducing their water consumption, and we'll all get through
this together. We trust Darwin residents to do the right
thing and heat our.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
Message and so if they do, we're not going to
wind up running out of water. No, Okay, how in
terms of the actual like pump, is it still underwater
at the moment, and do you know how much damage
it may have like may have been caused.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Cruiser assessing the My understanding is the water levels have
now dropped out of the pump station so cruiser inspecting
what damage or not happened. So I don't have a
precise answer on that.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
I know there was a lot of there was a
lot of discussion yesterday or there was people sort of
by evening yesterday saying, oh, the you know, the actual
dams broken its banks and there's you know, there's damage
to the you know, to the dam and very like
the wall.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
Is that the case, I can assure your listeners there
is absolutely nothing wrong with the dam walls. This is
purely a case of the amount of water that's fallen
ended up in the catchment area generally, and the Darwin
River itself which overflowed. It was the flooding from that
which caused the issue of the pump station.
Speaker 1 (10:19):
And as you've said, I mean quite an unprecedented situation
for us to be in. I think right across the
top end we're seeing quite an unprecedented situation with the flooding, etc.
With the future proofing I guess of our water supply,
what work is underway in that sense if this happens again.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
There's a multiple factors that are underway. There's a new
pump station being built at Darwin River Dam itself, that
should be completed by August this year. We're also your
listeners would be aware bringing mant and Dam back into service.
We're thankful to both the Northern Territory Government and the
Australian Government for the funding to do that. That will
provide an alternate source of water, drinking water, safe drinking
(10:59):
water to territories. They're the key immediate measures that we
have in place to build additional redundancy into our system.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
And so assuming if that had been if that was complete,
we wouldn't be in the situation that we're currently in
where we're reducing our water usage.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
Whenever you've got redundancy, it gives you options to go
to in that situation.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
So I mean, is that the message for listeners this morning?
Is it more a situation here that you know that
these measures in terms of saving water are also a
bit of a redundancy, you know, so that you've got
the time to be able to get that pump fixed.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
At the end of the day. It is demand management
as part of that issue, and so people reducing their
consumption puts less drain on the stores of waters that
we have, so it makes it easier for us to
maintain water during the period that we bring it online.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
But in terms of the water stores that we've got, yes,
we've got enough that listeners do not need to worry.
We are not going to run out of essential supply
of water.
Speaker 2 (11:56):
No, we'll be fine.
Speaker 1 (11:58):
All right. Well, I appreciate your time this morning. I
know you've got a press conference as well coming up.
I know our listeners will appreciate you joining us in
the studio as well. Acting CEO of Power and Water Corporation,
John Peace, thank you so much for joining us in
the studio.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
Thank you, Katie, and thank you to your listeners.
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Betrayal Season 5
Saskia Inwood woke up one morning, knowing her life would never be the same. The night before, she learned the unimaginable – that the husband she knew in the light of day was a different person after dark. This season unpacks Saskia’s discovery of her husband’s secret life and her fight to bring him to justice. Along the way, we expose a crime that is just coming to light. This is also a story about the myth of the “perfect victim:” who gets believed, who gets doubted, and why. We follow Saskia as she works to reclaim her body, her voice, and her life. If you would like to reach out to the Betrayal Team, email us at betrayalpod@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.