State Budget funds cloud seeding and climate change centre

Embargoed until 2.30pm

June 5, 2007

The State Budget provides $7.6 million for a cloud seeding research project that aims to increase rainfall in dam catchments, Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace said today.

Mr Wallace said a team of scientists, including staff from the Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence, would study the effects of cloud seeding on existing rain patterns in South East Queensland.

The new Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence itself will receive ongoing funding of $2.5 million each year from 2007-08.

Additional one-off capital funding of $1.5 million is also provided to the centre in 2007-08 for asset acquisition.

Cloud seeding can increase rainfall by putting small amounts of salt or other substances into clouds from aircraft to help form rain drops.

Mr Wallace said the four-year cloud-seeding research project would investigate the potential to increase rainwater runoff in catchments by cloud seeding during wet periods of the year.

“Rainfall has been declining in Queensland in the past 50 years and this trend has been especially evident since 1990,” Mr Wallace said.

“At the same time, our population has been increasing sharply, so we need to look at all methods to secure additional water supplies, including cloud seeding.

“Cloud seeding works in limited circumstances. It is unlikely to be a useful tool statewide, but it could help increase rainfall in specific regions.”

Mr Wallace said the government would talk with communities likely to be affected by the process before cloud seeding operations were conducted.

Scientists will use the latest radar technology to research cloud physics and measure increased rain associated with cloud seeding. They will provide a full scientific report to the Queensland Government on the results of the study.

The Climate Change Centre of Excellence, which opened earlier this year, will establish Queensland as a leader in climate change issues.

The centre will provide policy advice and scientific information on climate change and its impact on the community, the economy and the environment.

It will also provide advice about measures to further reduce and offset the State’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Media inquiries: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s office, on 0407 131 654.